Scanning 4 x 6 Prints to iPhoto and File Size Issues

Question

Scanning 4 x 6 Prints to iPhoto and File Size Issues

I have a HP c6180, which I recommend to anyone, and have been scanning my collection of 4 x 6 prints to preserve them in digital format. However I am having issues with file size and resolution and how iPhoto imports these jPeg files from my scanner.

If I scan at a high resolution (like 600 dpi) it estimates that the file size will be about 25 MB for a 4x6. When it is imported the original is this size. However if I edit the photo, iPhoto is able to reduce the file size to a fourth of the original size without showing any degradation in the photo quality.

In show file info the number of pixels describing the image remain the same. I would prefer the smaller file, of course, if the all the same information is there and just encrypted in a more efficient way.

Does anyone know what iPhoto is doing when it saves after editing and if this process can be used while scanning an image into iPhoto?

Does Apple have any kind of scanning software? I am using the HP scan software.

Right now I scan in a 25MB original, touch it up, and it saves to about 6MB.

Also, if anyone has any tips on the best resolution to import photo prints please let me know. It seems like 600dpi might be overkill. My HD is filling up quickly.

Thanks.

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 11, 2007 8:04 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

216,190 points

Feb 11, 2007 9:31 PM in response to My Hero's name is Kayla

What you're seeing is additional jpg compression when iPhoto creates a duplicate file, edits and saves it. If you're not planning to print those 4x6's larger than 4x6 scanning at 300 dpi which will give you very good prints and a much smaller original size. I'm sure you'll get many opinions on this but I've found that 300 dpi is more than enough for good prints. It depends on what ultimate size you want to be able to print a file at and at what resolution.

Do you Twango?

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Answer 2

Feb 11, 2007 9:52 PM in response to Old Toad

Do you know if there is a way iPhoto can further compress the original, so that I don't have one file 25MB and a duplicate that is smaller?

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Answer 3

Feb 11, 2007 10:06 PM in response to My Hero's name is Kayla

The size of the original is controlled by your scanning application. You should look for settings there. iPhoto never changes the size of the original. It always preserves it as you imported it.

Are you sure your scanning app is saving a JPEG? 25MB sounds more like a TIFF file or Photoshop file. Those are uncompressed. Once you edit the original in iPhoto, it saves the original and creates a JPEG copy that you actually edit.

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