Datasheet

Either of these choices poses a trade-off. In creating more than one image, you sacri-
fice valuable time in repeating processes for correction on different versions of an image.
It is often self-defeating to work on two images to produce the same results (even using
a detailed script) because the difference in size and volume of information in the image
will produce different results with the same application of tools. In creating one image
and resizing, you have to allow either interpolation of new image information or decima-
tion, neither of which may be the optimal process. You can’t work on small images and
resize up because detail will not be present.
The best way to go about working with multipurpose images is usually to work with
them at the highest resolution and then resize them smaller. Working at the higher of two
or more resolutions retains the details for the higher-resolution presentations and deci-
mates detail that will not be reproducible at lower resolutions. Softening or other ill effects
from severe resizing can be countered somewhat by sharpening.
A similar concept in retaining detail holds true when considering color depth. You will
want to work in larger color spaces and at greater color depth to retain image detail and
then reduce color detail and move to smaller color spaces after making corrections to reduce
loss. You will most often use images from your digital camera at full resolution in RGB
during corrections before reducing color and resolution for specific purposes.
Can You Have Too Much Resolution?
There are two answers to the question of whether or not you can have too much resolu-
tion: yes and no. The answer depends on whether there are other circumstances that make
high-resolution images a waste because the information won’t ever be used. There does
come a point where the amount of image information is simply too much for the pur-
poses of the image as it is being applied, or it gets so fine that more information doesn’t
really reveal more useful detail.
For the most part, you want all the detail that you can get in your source images from a
digital camera. Consumer digital cameras are not so powerful that you will have enormous
file sizes that are unwieldy—though you may need to consider alternatives for archiving
images and image storage (on camera and off) to make the most of your equipment. Stor-
ing your images at high resolution will allow you to return to them for other purposes in
the future.
See “(Un)Sharpening and Boosting Contrast” in Chapter 5 for more information on
sharpening.
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