trying to print a mirror image in specific sizes

[cassandrap92487709]

I have been successful in creating mirror images in PhotoShop.  I would like to print these images.  Yet after I complete making the mirror image and I try to crop the image/prepare the image for a proper print size, the size just does not work.  Is there a step at the beginning of creating the mirror image where I can select the final/desired size ---e.g. 5 x 7", 4 x 6", 8 x 10" ? Thank you.

[jane-e]

"the size just does not work"

Hi @cassandrap92487709 

"Does not work" can mean so many things, so please clarify what is happening and what you want to happen. Screen shots will help us.

~ Jane 

[cassandrap92487709]

I will edit my request to state when you are creating a mirror image is there a way to make sure that your final image can be cropped/sized for specific print sizes? Thank you.

[jane-e]

First, I assume you are are using Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal to mirror the image. Once it is flipped, that part is no longer relevant to cropping/sizing. If you are flipping from the View menu, that is a view setting and is temporary. Don't do it this way. You didn't say how you are doing this part.

Be sure to make a copy before you mirror, crop, or scale so you preserve your original.

There are two ways to crop:

• Crop tool: set the options to ratio and chose W x H x PPI
• Rectangle Marquee tool followed by Image > Crop
  If you do this, set the options bar to fixed size and choose (for example) W: 5" x H: 7". You have to type inch marks or "in" or it will convert to pixels. Confirm inches. Use a selection tool to drag the marquee, then choose Image > Crop.
  Use the drop down menu on the far left and create a preset that you can reuse. Repeat for the other sizes.
  https://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=784759&seqNum=6

If the image is very large, you might need to go to Image > Image Size first to size it. 

~ Jane

[cassandrap92487709]

Thank you for your time. I used the following method to make the mirror image:  How to Mirror an Image in Photoshop - Step by Step (photoshopessentials.com)   .  I will take your advice and try the other method of creating a mirror image and getting a standard print size! 🙂  

[cassandrap92487709]

I have tried----I must be skipping a step/selection.  I chose fixed size---5 x 7" (I did enter in for inches) and I thought that I did drag the marquee tool.  I kept getting a brilliant purple line as I would try to crop around the image (?)  with the dotted lines only moving one side (top or bottom) at a time.  I then did the following:  1) background copy; 2) free transform and move the toggle reference point; 3)  horizontal flip; 4) select the transform; 5) select 'm' to remove the crop lines; 6) select the reveal all tool in image.  I then do a fit to screen.  Here is my image----I still cannot fit it to a 5 x 7" print size. The image is obviously longer than it is wide and I cannot crop it into a 4 x 6" or 5 x 7" print size. Just about to quit this entire project-----I am sure that there is a simple styep that I am leaving out or something. Thanks again for your time.

[jane-e]

Hi

I don't think this image will work as either a 4x6 or 5x7 unless you either

• cut some of it out
  or
• include more of the water from the original photo
  or
• distort it.

The aspect ratios (the relationship between the width and the height of an image) are different.

Go to Image > Image Size and set it to Inches. What size is the file in inches?

It's lovely just as it is. Does it have to be in a standard size print? Are you printing to your own printer or will it be professionally printed or one of those machines that many stores have?

If it were mine and I were not printing to my own printer, I would add canvas to the top and bottom to get the aspect ratio, and trim it with a photo trimmer after I got it home.

Another volunteer may have another idea.

~ Jane

[cassandrap92487709]

Please forgive my typos--and the fact that I meant to say that this image is wider than it is high.  I keep a couple of wildlife photo albums---and they are for either 4 x 6" or 5 x 7" prints. I do not own a color printer.  I might actually consider doing some re-sizing of the original image----perhaps getting the dimensions to be set to 1/2 the width--and then playing around with that.  This 'mirror' project spiked my interest after seeing a mirrored image of a very exotic bird-----at least I can say that I can get a mirror image---but getting a print of it (without excess distortion) may be a different issue.  Thank you very much for your time and help----so many things to learn about in PhotoShop!

[jane-e]

If you go to Image > Image Size and change the Width to 7 inches, what does Photoshop choose for the Height?

(Choose Cancel after you find out!)

~ Jane