Is reducing the image size destructive?

[MarieMeyer]

Are any pixels lost if the image size is reduced and then the .psd file is saved?

[davescm]

Yes they are lost - unless the image is inside a smart object

Dave

[Per Berntsen]

Yes, you will lose pixels, and there is no way to get them back once the image is saved and closed.

So always work on a copy or do a Save As if you want to reduce the size.

If you reduce the size of a 6000 x 4000 image (24 million pixels) to 3000 x 2000 (6 million pixels), you will lose 18 million pixels.

You may find this article useful: What is a digital image?

[mytaxsite · Accepted solution]

MarieMeyer wrote:

Are any pixels lost if the image size is reduced and then the .psd file is saved?

It depends:  When an image is resized without resampling, you change the number of pixels in the image so the resolution is affected.  You can resample up and this involves interpolation and Ps adds pixels to make the resolution "similar".  Me thinks so!!!

[davescm]

mytaxsite.co.uk wrote:

It depends: .......

Good point - In my reply I was thinking of reducing size as in changing number of pixels. If you don't resample then that is indeed non-destructive.

Dave