csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

What does it mean to view an image at 100%?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

What program? Picasa 3?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It means you are viewing you image at actual physical size, or at least as much of it as your monitor will show at that size.

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

I use Elements 9 and Photoshop CS5.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

As mentioned 100% means you are viewing the image at it's true size.

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

But how does that work when the image is a landscape with a fence in the foreground and a mountain far in the distance? Is the fence at full size or the mountain?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The "Image" is at the full size of that particular image. It has nothing to do with the SUBJECT.

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

Thanks. I think I get it. If my image is 5" x 7", the display on my monitor will be 5" x 7", or a portion if the monitor is smaller than 5" x 7". Correct?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Pretty much, yes. But 5" x 7" is a very small file size. I have a small DSLR that is a 4/3's format and a JPG Fine image with that little camera is 50" x 38" at 72dpi. My Nikons images are considerably larger than that also.

Pat'sCameraCrazy Loc: Pensylvania

No, you may have the wrong train of thought about this subject.

Starting again..... If you are looking at a photo in your hand, (any size 4x6, 5x7 etc.) What you are seeing is 100% of that image.

So, when you are viewing a photo on your computer screen, (again, any size 4x6, 8x10, or even a larger size)
what you see on the screen in front of you, is exactly what you would see if you printed the picture in the size you are view (viewing a 4x6 sized file = the same 4x6 photo you are looking at in your hand).

So the only thing that you have to remember is:
What you see is what you get!

P.S.
When you view an image on your computer that is larger than your screen. ( 11x14, 12x12 etc.) you will only see one section of the photo at a time. (upper left corner, lower left corner, etc.) When you pan around your photo you will STILL SEE THE WHOLE IMAGE, but you will only see a section at a time.

So again what you see is what you will get for the size print you are ordering.

Make sure you are sizing your photo to the size you want them to be printed and you will have good results for all of your hard work!

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

Thanks to each of you. Any day that I learn something new is a very good day.

George Kwain

It may vary for some programs, but for most editing programs viewing at 100% means that each monitor pixel corresponds to an image pixel. If your monitor is set to be, say, 1000 pixels wide, you will see 1000 image pixels (if you have things set to see just the image. If you have sliders or such showing, or if you are using the program in a window, you'll see less of the image, but the relative size will stay the same.) The actual size of the image on screen (5" x 7" etc.) will change depending on your monitor size and resolution.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

full blown

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

'True size'? The 'true size' of a 1200 x 1800 pixel image at 300 dpi (the standard for photomechanical repro in magazines) can safely be taken as 4x6 inches. At 100 dpi it'd be 12x18 inches. I'd be interested too in how programs define '100%'. Is it pixel-for-pixel on the screen? In which case, surely, a lot depends on dot pitch on the screen.

Cheers,

R.

George Kwain

100% refers to each image pixel corresponding to a screen pixel. Printing dpi is not the same as image pixel per inch. A 100 pixel per inch file printed at 300 dpi would use 9 dots per pixel. Pixels per inch and dots per inch are often confused for each other.