hindriks
Level 1 (4 points)
iPad

Q: iOS compresses photos when saving to "Camera Roll/Photos"

Hi,

 

 

As many others right now I am investigating the compromises included for switching from OSx to iOS in my photo-workflow.

 

Workflow:

1. Import photo to iPad Pro 9.7 with SD-card reader

2. Import photos to VSCO app and edit photos

3. Print photos with my wireless photo-printer

4. Export photos to "camera roll/photos app"

5. Upload photos to dropbox for future backup and digital accessability

 

 

You might react to step 4 and 5 but if you export directly from any app to dropbox, something in iOS will reduce your resolution and strangely - increase the file size at the same time.

 

 

Now to my question which I can not find one answer to on the net!?:

- When exporting pictures from VSCO or other photo editing apps, the files are compressed. Resolution is still the same, but a file that for example was 6,5 mb is compressed to 3,5.

  • Anyone who knows what happens when you export photos back to iOS from apps?

Posted on May 19, 2016 10:48 PM

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hindriks

Q: iOS compresses photos when saving to "Camera Roll/Photos"

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 19, 2016 11:07 PM in response to hindriks
    Level 10 (139,500 points)
    iLife
    May 19, 2016 11:07 PM in response to hindriks

    something in iOS will reduce your resolution and strangely - increase the file size at the same time.

     

    What do you mean by "resolution"? For some folks that term means bit depth, others it means nominal dpi, others think it has something vague to do with sharpness...

  • by hindriks,

    hindriks hindriks May 19, 2016 11:18 PM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 19, 2016 11:18 PM in response to Terence Devlin

    Original file:

    - Dimensions 4930*3287 (16mp)

    - Horizontal/Vertical resolution: 240 dpi

    - Bit depth: 24

     

    VSCO (or other app) directly to Dropbox:

    - Dimensions 3264*2176

    - Horizontal/Vertical resolution: 96 dpi

    - Bit depth: 24

     

    VSCO (or other app) to "Camera roll/photos":

    - Dimensions: 4930*3287 (same as original)

    - Horizontal/Vertical resolution: 240 dpi

    - Bit depth: 24

    - Issue: lower file size and that must involve some sort of compression which seems to be caused by "Exporting from app to iOS".

     

     

    In reality and for my 10*15cm print this might not be visually noticable but it's more a question of keeping files intact as much as possible. If I for example want to do a enlargement.

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 20, 2016 12:28 AM in response to hindriks
    Level 10 (139,500 points)
    iLife
    May 20, 2016 12:28 AM in response to hindriks

    Your problem is with VSCO or Dropbox, no? The app is sending the full-sized file to Photos but a reduced one to Dropbox if I read you correctly. Do I read you correctly?

  • by hindriks,

    hindriks hindriks May 20, 2016 12:31 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 20, 2016 12:31 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Nope.

     

    Something happens when exporting from App - Photos. I check this by sending the photo from "Photos" with e-mail where the "actual file size" is declared. In the example, 6,5 for the original and 3,5 for the one which I have only "put through" VSCO without making any adjustment. I have tried two other apps as well.

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 20, 2016 1:47 AM in response to hindriks
    Level 10 (139,500 points)
    iLife
    May 20, 2016 1:47 AM in response to hindriks

    Actual size refers to dimensions of the Photo - length by breadth. Not the file size. But VSCO seems to be the common link here no?

  • by hindriks,

    hindriks hindriks May 20, 2016 2:07 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    May 20, 2016 2:07 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    When you send an e-mail and attach a photo you get a pop-up when sending.

     

    I understand that if you choose "small, medium or large" it will rescale the foto, probably both by reducing lenght/breadth as well as performing some sort of compression to image data. And you will here see what the file size will be.

     

    but,

     

    Lastly, it says "Actual size - 3,5 mb" in this case. How can that not relate to actual file size but just pixels?

     

     

    VSCO, Polarr, Enlight. Same reduction when exporting from app back to iOS.

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 20, 2016 2:56 AM in response to hindriks
    Level 10 (139,500 points)
    iLife
    May 20, 2016 2:56 AM in response to hindriks

    Read what that pop up says. You can reduce the message size "by scaling the image..." not the file. Therefore actual size refers to the Image not the file. It's  the same on Mail on your Mac. Tbe dropdown is named Image Size.


    VSCO, Polarr, Enlight. Same reduction when exporting from app back to iOS.

     

    Then I'd start with the makers of these apps...