How To Resize Images for BWPS Digital Competitions

The steps to resize your images are very simple. Quick Start instructions follow below. If you need more detailed instructions, look a little further below for the Detailed Examples.

Quick Start Instructions for Resizing an Image

1. Open your image file in Photoshop. Select Image>Image Size.
2. Make sure the boxes for Scale Styles, Constrain Proportions, and Resample Image are all checked. Make sure "Bicubic" is the resample method selected.
3. Set resolution to 96 (or 72).
Note: While resolution does not affect the quality of the projected image, it does affect image size. With the new 1400x1050 pixel image size, image file sizes will now be larger and we recommend members set their image resolution to 96 to keep file sizes more manageable. Setting image resolution to a higher value does NOT increase the quality of the projected image.
4. Set the Image Size. If the image is a horizontal, set Width to 1400; do not change the Height size. If the image is a vertical, set the Height to 1050; do not change the Width size.
5. Save the file as a JPEG at the highest quality.

Detailed Examples for Resizing an Image

The following two examples show how to size horizontal images in Photoshop CS2 and vertical images in Photoshop Elements

There are other programs that are available for this kind of work. If you are using another program, chances are the steps will be fairly similar to these examples. Obviously, you can resize both horizontal and vertical images in either program.

Example 1: Horizontal Image using Photoshop CS2

Step 1

Start with a horizontal image and open it with Photoshop CS2. For demonstration purposes we will use the image below.

Step 2

On the Menu bar, select Image. A drop-down menu will appear. Select Image Size (see below).

Step 3

The Image Size dialog box appears (see below for what it looks like at first). Notice that this photo was shot at 240 pixels/inch (ppi) and 3072 pixels wide and 2048 pixels high.

• Be sure the Constrain Proportions check box is checked.
• Change the Resolution box to 96.
• In the Pixel Dimensions area set the Width to 1400 pixels. (See the After dialog box example below.) Do not change the Height box, let it become whatever it becomes when you change the Width.
• Click OK.

Before

After

Step 4

Save the result. You may want to "Save As" in order to keep your original file intact, to specify to save as a JPEG (if your original was not already a JPEG), to be able to specify the JPEG quality, and/or to follow the File Naming Convention. In order to be accepted into competition, your file name has to follow the File Naming Convention. For example, AA_CaraWithGarnett_MRoman.jpg.

To Save As, select File on the Menu bar and in the drop-down list select Save As.

Example 2: Vertical Image using Photoshop Elements

Step 1

Start with a vertical image and open it with PS Elements. For demonstration purposes we will use the image below.

Step 2

On the Menu bar, select Image. A drop-down menu appears. Select Resize, and another menu appears (see below).

Select Image Size

Step 3

The Image Size dialog box appears (see below left for what it looks like at first). Notice that this photo was shot at 240 pixels/inch (ppi) and 2048 pixels wide and 3072 pixels high.

• Be sure the Constrain Proportions check box is checked.
• Change the Resolution to 96.
• In the Pixel Dimensions area set the Height to 1050 pixels. (See the After dialog box example below.) Do not adjust the Width number, just let it change as you change the Height number.
• Click OK.

Before

After

Step 4

Save the result. You may want to "Save As" in order to keep your original file intact, to specify to save as a JPEG (if your original was not already a JPEG), to be able to specify the JPEG quality, and/or to follow the File Naming Convention. In order to be accepted into competition, your file name has to follow the File Naming Convention. For example, AA_CaraWithGarnett_MRoman.jpg.

To Save As, select File on the Menu bar and in the drop-down list select Save As.