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anal58211177
Known Participant
April 18, 2017
Answered

Exporting high resolution images

  • April 18, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 10297 views

I'm loosing a lot of quality and image size when exporting jpeg images from lightroom, for ex. from a 6000 X 4000 image with 19.9 mb  to 2560 X 1707 with 4.89 mb.  Please, could anyone tell me how to export them without loosing too much size and resolution.

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Correct answer elie_dinur

The fact that your exported image size is exactly the same pixel dimensions as those of Smart Previews strongly suggests you are exporting from the S.P. and not the original out-of- camera file. The dimension 2560 on the long side is unusual enough that a coincidence is unlikely. A possible scenario - during import you inadvertently checked the "Make Smart Previews" in the right side panel on the Import page; at some later time the original files were moved using another application, or the drive they are on became disconnected from the computer, or the names (of the files or the drive) were changed or they were deleted. From that moment you were editing Smart Previews without paying attention to the notice under the histogram.

3 replies

elie_dinur
elie_dinurCorrect answer
Participating Frequently
April 18, 2017

The fact that your exported image size is exactly the same pixel dimensions as those of Smart Previews strongly suggests you are exporting from the S.P. and not the original out-of- camera file. The dimension 2560 on the long side is unusual enough that a coincidence is unlikely. A possible scenario - during import you inadvertently checked the "Make Smart Previews" in the right side panel on the Import page; at some later time the original files were moved using another application, or the drive they are on became disconnected from the computer, or the names (of the files or the drive) were changed or they were deleted. From that moment you were editing Smart Previews without paying attention to the notice under the histogram.

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    anal58211177Author
    Known Participant
    April 18, 2017

    Hi,

    I think it makes sense, what you're telling me. Is it may because I put

    the memory card into the computer to transfer the images to an external

    hard drive? Nevertheless, right now, I have the external hard drive

    connected to my computer and I still get my exported images about half the

    size. I would greatly appreciate if you give suggestions on how to do it

    correctly. I'm not a professional photographer, nor an expert in Lightroom.

    Thank you,

    Carolina

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    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    April 18, 2017

    The only thing that would convince me that you have a loss in quality is if you actually LOOKED at the exported photo and saw the loss of quality.

    The numbers you have stated do not indicate a loss of quality.

    The loss in image size is because somewhere in the process, YOU instructed Lightroom to change the image from 6000x4000 to 2560x1707.

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    anal58211177Author
    Known Participant
    April 18, 2017

    But, I didn't instruct lightroom to change the size; I didn't check the box to resize the image.  So, what indicates loss in quality and how can I keep the image the same size or at least near its original size?

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    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    April 18, 2017

    You have either cropped the image, or changed the size at export, or you are using a Smart Preview instead of the original. Those are the only three ways to go from 6000x4000 to 2560x1707.

    JP Hess
    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    April 18, 2017

    First of all, the original 6000 x 4000 image is a raw image that is 12 bit or 14 bit data which makes it much larger and accounts for it being this size that you stated. Your exported image has been cut in half pixel size-wise, and is probably a JPEG. If you don't want to sacrifice much in quality then don't resize the image. But the JPEG by nature is going to be significantly smaller in size. If you don't resize it so that it is still 6000 x 4000 pixels you should expect to see an image that is approximately 6-7 MB in size. But that will definitely depend on the contents of the image.

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    anal58211177Author
    Known Participant
    April 18, 2017

    Hi, the original image is not raw is jpeg, but I wonder why it has been cut a lot.  I'm not resizing the image when exporting.

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