Help with Photoshop

I have followed instructions given to my previous question and still have a couple of queries.

I cannot set print size to 18 X 6. It always returns to 18 X 5.11. I take it this is aspect ratio?

When I set my 2 prints in the paper I have selected (18 x12), the paper appears to be smaller than the 2 prints.

When I move the prints onto the paper they just appear as small banners.e.g. they don't fill the width of the paper even though print and paper width is the same.

I have to say that whilst I have mastered Word, Excel, Publisher, and various other architectural programs, I have had nothing but blankness in my head since the first time I ever opened Photoshop

I feel that my "beaten before I start attitude to this program is not helping!!

Any help with my above points appreciated.

If you have an image with an aspect ratio of say 3:2 then it could be 3cm x 2cm or 6cm x 4cm or any other size with a ratio that remains the same. You need to crop your image to the apprpriate size otherwise as you have found you can't resize it to a different proportion. Well actually you can, by unclicking "constrain proportions" in the Image Size dialog box, but then the shape of the picture will change.

So, first things first. Open your image and then select the crop tool. In the bar at the top of the work area you can actually type in the image size and resolution that you want. So type in 18in and 6in and 300 ppi. Now when you crop it will crop and resize exactly.

Now open your "paper" by going to File>New and resize your paper, putting in the values and changing to inches in this case. Don't forget to put the resolution at 300ppi.

Now you can drag and drop your images into the paper and they will fit.

There are other ways to do this as well, but lets not cloud the issue.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for the reply John, I will try tonight. Yes I know it's Saturday but that's how sad my life is. I am thinking of buying an anorak....

I notice you're on the Isle of Skye - no fabulous sunsets to photograph tonight?

I have heard that Skye is incredible photographically. We haven't been there yet, but we plan to as soon as we can. Perhaps Skye and Mull would be a good combination for a week or so of exploration?

I would not rush to come this year John, the weather has been very poor.

It's been dull all day today and is now actually dark. The wind is also getting up. More like November than August.

My missus has put on the central heating As you say sunsets are good when you get them. You just don't get many!!!!!!!

It's not so good down here either, yesterday the wife said we should put the electric blanket back on...

Dan

Looking at the dates on my memory card, I last had a photo session 23/07/2007. One month ago. In between it has been dull, drab, wet and windy.

I suppose I must be a fair weather photographer.

I really sympathise with tourists. Coming here is not exactly the cheap option, and if you do not get reasonable weather it can be somewhat depressing.

Oh well, looking on the bright side it gives me time to learn Photoshop !

Keep an eye out for my posts for assistance?

John,

Skye is excellent photographically, though you really need the weather. Poor weather here means very poor light conditions and when the winds blow it's not that pleasant. When the sun shines there's no better place to be!

Can't comment on Mull. Never been, though I feel it would be nice. I have to say that my father has been and his comments are "diabolical, a dump, it's got nothing". Mind you he is 84 and very difficult to please

Anybody suggest why, when I drag my image onto my newly created "paper" size the image shrinks remarkably ?

Hi,

I use GIMP rather than PS, but when I'm building multiple images, I always "Open as Layer" then move it into position, scaling as/if necessary. I'm sure someone will put me right, but if the images are sized correctly, and so is the corresponding background, then File | Open as Layer for both, and then just move them into position. Just have to increase the display size to 400% to double check you've got them lined up pixel for pixel.

HTH

Cheers

Liam

The image size you display at is not necessarily the same as the final print size. Just "Fit to screen" to make the image the largest it can usefully display at in its entirety.

If you mean you have your blank 'paper' sized to 18 inches wide, and your image at 18 inches wide, but when you drag your image onto the paper it doesn't take up the full width, it must mean that the image is a lower resolution than the paper.

To get an 18" image from a DSLR you'll need to resize with the 'Resample Image' box ticked, and make sure you have the resolution of the paper and the image set the same. An easy way to check you've done it right is to make sure the pixel dimensions for both are the same, rather than the document size.

Hope that helps,
Dan