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stefanie5EB8
Participating Frequently
June 5, 2021
Question

Lightroom image compression issue

  • June 5, 2021
  • 6 replies
  • 1835 views

Hi, I wounder if anyone couple please help me.
I shoot RAW and my images are huge, as an example image it is around 25mb when imported. i am editing the images on lightroom, the edits include some cropping, colour corrections and lighting adjustments. When i export these images they are averaging at around 2mb. some are less than 1mb.

My export settings are correct, its set to 100% quality and i have not resised the images at export. 

I dont know what to do. please help asap as im editing a wedding and i dont want to deliver images that cant be blown up.

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    6 replies

    TheDigitalDog
    TheDigitalDog
    Inspiring
    June 6, 2021

    For a 40 inch print you need at least 8000 pixels over that dimension.

    Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
    S
    stefanie5EB8Author
    Participating Frequently
    June 6, 2021

    sorry if im sounding thick, Im new to all of this side of things, 
    If im not re-sizing or overly cropping shouldnt that be the case for all my pictures anyway? I shoot full fram d750 if that matters?

     

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 6, 2021

    The D750 creates files that are 6000 x 4000 pixels.

    This allows for printing at 150 ppi (6000 pixels/40 inches = 150 pixels per inch), which should be sufficient for a large print.

    I do my own printing, and I routinely make 33 x 44" inkjet prints at 150 ppi with excellent results.

    Check Resize to fit in the Export dialog, set Long side to 40", and the Resolution to 150.

    You should also apply Output sharpening, there is a choice for matte or glossy paper, set Amount to Standard.

    Then send the exported file to the printer.

     

    When i googled the issue it says MB is relative to print quality

    Not true, please read the posts by myself and others above.

    I see that your image contains lots of flat/smooth areas, which explains the small file size.

    Is the image sharp? Softness will also contribute to a small file size.

    To assess sharpness, and apply sharpening, always view the image at 100%.

      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      June 6, 2021

      Please post a screen shot of your Import screen. Use the insert photo button on this site, not the add attachment option (hated by most)

       

      S
      stefanie5EB8Author
      Participating Frequently
      June 6, 2021

      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      June 6, 2021
      I shoot RAW and my images are huge, as an example image it is around 25mb when imported

      That is not huge.That's close to normal for current APC cameras, small for many Full Frame, itty bitty for Medium format.

       

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      June 5, 2021
      @stefanie5EB8 wrote:

      My export settings are correct, its set to 100% quality and i have not resised the images at export. 

      You might what to see this:

      http://regex.info/blog/lightroom-goodies/jpeg-quality

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      Per Berntsen
      Community Expert
      Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 5, 2021

      This is perfectly normal.

      The whole point of the jpg format is to create small files, but image size depends largely on image content.

      Images with a lot of sharp, busy detail (and noise) will have a relatively large file size, whereas images with predominantly flat, smooth, or out of focus areas will have a relatively small file size. So the file size of a jpg doesn't tell you anything about image quality.

      If you're concerned about image quality, compare the exported jpg at 100% view with the raw file at 100% view.

      When using 100 quality ( which is not 100% quality, but the maximum quality possible with a jpg), there should not be much difference.

      dj_paige
      dj_paige
      Legend
      June 5, 2021

      When i export these images they are averaging at around 2mb. some are less than 1mb.

       

      Not a problem. JPG is a compression technology. File size like this are normal.


      File size does not tell you about the quality of the JPG. For more information, please read

      http://regex.info/blog/lightroom-goodies/jpeg-quality

      S
      stefanie5EB8Author
      Participating Frequently
      June 5, 2021
      My client tried to print with their own choice of lab and the file was too
      small?
      dj_paige
      dj_paige
      Legend
      June 5, 2021

      You need to give us details. Lots and lots of details.

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