Best Size Original Image for Viewing?

Jim

What is the best size to post images at for large viewing? Right now, the images I’m posting are in the dimension of 943 x 703 (don’t ask!). That doesn’t seem to be working all that well because although the posted originals aren’t very large, Smugmug is interpolating them down to 800 x 579 with a noticable loss in quality.

Questions – Is there anyway to let the viewer see the image at the original size, without it opening in another window? I was sure that the viewers were getting to see the full size original in the past, without it opening in a separate window. Should I reduce the original image to 800 pixel dimension before posting to get the best quality at large size?

Thanks.

Andy

We create -L (800px max), -M, -S sizes from your originals. We leave the original untouched. So, if you upload an 800px original, that will be your -L. We'll only make -M and smaller sizes.

Keep in mind that if you are going to sell or make prints from your files you'll still need the originals.

Jim

Thanks Andy.

Is there anyway to let the viewer see an image at the original size, without it opening in another window? I was sure that the viewers were getting to see the full size original in the past, without it opening in a separate window.

Andy

Jim wrote:

Thanks Andy.

Is there anyway to let the viewer see an image at the original size, without it opening in another window? I was sure that the viewers were getting to see the full size original in the past, without it opening in a separate window.

In the past, Originals opened in a popup window. Now, to see originals, viewers see it in a LightBox:

http://www.smugmug.com/help/viewing-online-photo-albums

smugbug

Not exactly correct, Andy. In the past, you could set Originals as the preferred size, and view them with the standard navigation style, without a popup. So people who find that the "large" size (800 pixels) is small for their viewing taste, can opt to upload a more ideal "original" size, at say 900-1100 pixels wide. Not everyone sends in their full-resolution original files or wants to print them.

Jim

smugbug wrote:

Not exactly correct, Andy. In the past, you could set Originals as the preferred size, and view them with the standard navigation style, without a popup. So people who find that the "large" size (800 pixels) is small for their viewing taste, can opt to upload a more ideal "original" size, at say 900-1100 pixels wide. Not everyone sends in their full-resolution original files or wants to print them.

That is what I remember as well. For example, I tend to post a lot of group pictures. I don't want to post the full size image, but I find that 800 pixels wide is a bit too small to view a group. So I was opting for a slightly larger image that could be viewed without opening a new window. Any chance we can get that setting back?

Andy

smugbug wrote:

Not exactly correct, Andy. In the past, you could set Originals as the preferred size, and view them with the standard navigation style, without a popup. So people who find that the "large" size (800 pixels) is small for their viewing taste, can opt to upload a more ideal "original" size, at say 900-1100 pixels wide. Not everyone sends in their full-resolution original files or wants to print them.

Fair enough. One issues with originals on the page, is it makes it hard to design themes. LB solves that issue. Thanks for the feedback as always!