Snowy Drops In
Phil Lanoue Photography
I previously worked as a news and sports photographer. Recently I have been enjoying wildlife photography. My approach toward bird photos is similar to sports photography. I attempt to capture mostly action and hopefully a unique perspective.
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Hi Phil,
I was hoping you could help me. I am trying to figure out what the best size is to upload an image to my blog? Is 1024 W x 683 H or vice versa as pixels? and then set the resolution at 300 pixels or 72 pixels the best way to go? I have been uploading all of my images at their maximum W and H pixel size and not sure if this is the best thing to do as someone can easily pull and make copies and have access to the largest print size possible. I assume if someone was to purchase an image then I would want to of course use the largest size of megapixels for the W and H and allow the editing software to select this for me which is what I have been doing, while keeping the resolution at 300 pixels? I am wondering if I should adjust the size for those I add to my blog so that it is harder for people to copy? Do you know what the standard is?
I am new to all of this technical stuff and it is quite confusing. I am trying to figure out what size is best for Facebook and Instagram also and I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it. I know you are quite professional in your photography and have an extensive background in it, so I thought I would reach out.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Warm Regards,
Michaela
Hi Michaela,
I generally resize the photos I post to 1000,1200, or 1400 on the long side (no larger) and 300 on the resolution. This provides an adequate size image for anyone to view I feel. I never upload the full size version not only because someone could lift it and be able to make prints or whatever with it but it’s just unnecessary.
For photos that I have sold to news agencies for instance they require a large enough file size of course, say minimum 1MB for their use. The same would be for someone desiring a print. But you can’t ( or shouldn’t) really send someone a large size image file if they wish to purchase a print. Once you send someone that they have it and can make a thousand copies if they want and could send it anywhere.
For things like facebook, instagram, flicker, emailing to friends, posting on photo forums etc. I expect the size I mentioned of anywhere from 1000 to1400 on the long side is more then fine for people to simply view the image.
These suggestions are just what I do anyway, others may do things differently.
I hope this helps some. I know it can get quite confusing. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.
See ya
Phil
Hi Phil,
Your explanation is so thorough and so easy to understand! I knew you were the right person to ask with all of your experience.
It makes my life much easier going forward to save the image in the size you recommended for both my blog, instagram and facebook. Then for selling purposes, I would send a larger size but never the full size. I had previously been using the full size for all three, which puts me at risk in the blog of someone being able to print my image at full size if they want.
I guess a few additional questions going off what you explained above. When you insert the size of long side based on which W or H is longer, do you allow the editing software to calculate the other size on its own? Also, for selling purposes do you also set the resolution for these at 300? Would you recommend the image size of 1000, 1200, or 4000 pixels with a 300 resolution to showcase on a website also?
Also, when you zoom into an image at its full, should this be clear? I notice that mine isn’t crisp clear and is sort of out of focus to some degree- does this mean that the image is pixalated? Or is that normal because I am zooming so far into my image?
Thank you so very much, you are a life saver. I was up late last night trying to figure this out and it was just confusing me more.
Cheers! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Michaela
Yes when I pick the long side size I just let the other dimension automatically fill in.
For other purposes I do use 300 as a resolution as well.
And those sizes I mention of 100-1400 on the long side should be fine for posting on photo forums and sites, etc. that’s what I always use.
Some images can start to fall apart a bit and unravel when zooming in or cropping excessively. It depends on a lot of things such as ISO and focus is certainly one of them.
Ok I looked at the full size image file you linked below and I have to tell you it looks darn nice to me. I zoomed in over 100% and thought it still looked great.
I have a 24″ monitor and could see it very well and thought it looked just fine.
BTW, if you want you can always email me at planoue@gmail.com Might be easier then doing it through comments here.
See ya
Phil
Awesome, awesome, awesome. Again, you have really been a life saver for me. I used everything you told me yesterday and the pictures on my social media came out so much better than ever before! Also, will be making the switch to this size for all of my blog so I don’t have to worry about someone trying to print my images and giving them the largest size possible to do so.
Thanks for taking a look at the full size image in the link I gave you, you put a HUGE smile on my face knowing that it looks great. I consider your opinion to be well worthy coming from a professional so this is absolutely wonderful news.
Thank you for the email, I will be sure to use that next time versus on here. Feel free to delete mine and your comments if you liked, I already have them saved to an email for my future reference.
Thank you so very much for your help and time. I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me.
Warm Regards and I hope you are having a lovely Monday!
Michaela
In regards to my last question, here is an example as this is the full file, if you zoom in you can see that it isn’t crisp clear and sort of out of focus to some degree, does this imply pixalation or it is normal because I am zooming so far into my image?
Thanks again! I trust and value your opinion and truly appreciate your help!