How can I tell the DPI on a photo I have? - Virtual Assistant Forums

Robin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2010

I have content that is needed for a publication. The only issue I have is it's asking for:

Digital - JPG, TIF, EPS 300 dpi, full color
Photos from websites or any digital photo with resolution of less than 300 will not have high enough resolution for print reproduction.

The photo is what I'm using in my profile. I have various versions and know it's a JPG, but the issue I have is not knowing if it's 300 DPI and if not, can it be made 300 DPI?

Robin · #2 (**permalink**) 03-15-2010

Ok, I think I found it's a 96 dpi from properties, summary and advanced. If so, can anyone tell me how I can change this image to a 300 dpi?

ChristinaVOS · #3 (**permalink**) 03-15-2010

Save the original somewhere safe before you do this.

Not 100% sure this will do it but, if you have photoshop (or good image editing program)you can pull your image into it. Then click on Image -> Image Size. You'll see the pixel dimensions of your image at the top, and below a resolution of 72 px/in. Make note of the pixel dimensions then change the 72 to 300. Now change the pixels back to what they were to start.

Again, not sure about that but, I was told that was how to do it once.

Good Luck,
~Christina

Robin · #4 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010

Nope couldn't get it to work. Probably because I don't have a certain photo editing software I'm guessing. Help!!!

ChristinaVOS · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010

Robin,
Send it to me and I'll play around with it.

~C

intercovbc · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010

Bicubic resampling is the function you need to increase the pixel size. Check to see if your software has it. The only other thing I know about it is that resampling is almost never perfect.

The Perfect Word · #7 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010

My son uses Paint Shop Pro 8, which I know next to nothing about but plan on learning. Using the Properties like Robin mentioned, I verified that the dpi was 150 on a photo I downloaded that I knew was 150. I pulled it into Paint Shop Pro, changed the Image print size resolution from 150 px/inch to 300, and then went down and clicked on bicubic resampling and saved it that way. When I looked at the Properties of the picture again, the dpi now says 300. (I also did the same thing without changing to bicubic resampling and had the same results.) I admit, I know nothing about this kind of thing. But does this mean it worked? Does that mean you can basically change anything to a different dpi and it would be just like you got it (or paid for it) in a higher dpi to begin with? I really can't see much difference in the quality of this picture on the screen after the change, but maybe this affects mainly the printed outcome?

virtual writing · #8 (**permalink**) 03-16-2010

I'm probably too late to be of any help here. As you may have figured out, increasing the dimensions is possible, but the result is generally not usable. You can reduce the size of a photo, usually, and end up with an ok picture, but enlarging does not work, for the most part.

JKVirtualOffice · #9 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

My understanding is the same as Mary's. I was taught that you can downsize a photo but you can't increase it to a higher pixel count and have the resolution still be usable.

Robin · #10 (**permalink**) 03-17-2010

Thanks everyone! I agree Pam I can't tell either. Christina was kind enough to make the change and emailed it back to me. I'm going to email the photo she changed to the person who needs it for print and have her let me know if the new DPI will look great! I was able to find the photographer who originally took the photo and emailed her last night. She's going to see if she still has it and can possible change it too. I have until next Wednesday to get it figured out (or take a new "professional" photo which I don't want to do since I'm in the process of changing hair style and color!). LOL