ChrisW. Loc: Medina Co., OH

I know many shoot in RAW format and edit in Lightroom Classic. When you export files that have been cropped, color corrected, denoised, etc, are you concerned about the size of the file that you send to the client? Does anyone notice any quality difference?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I’m not concerned.

CHG CANON has recommendations for image dimensions to reduce file sizes but I think full size is sometimes best. It depends on the final application of the image.

If for some reason you have multigigabyte files you might need to find a way to send the data to overcome email limitations but it is not difficult.

https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/nt/2023/8/28/621559-compression_study_20220206.pdf Has a chart showing file size vs quality setting (related to jpg compression). Of course it will depend on the image.

ChrisW. Loc: Medina Co., OH

Thank you for your reply and the link!!! I'll check it out!

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I use wetransfer.com. File size is of little concern since I can send up to 2 or 3 gigs for the free service. Have never come close to that in a mailing.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Short answer is no. You can export a file that is sized to your client’s requirements. Bigger for print smaller for social media/ web. I usually deliver through Dropbox

Hugh

jcboy3

File size is determined by the client delivery requirements, which often depends on the use.

Sometimes JPG, sometimes TIFF. Occasionally PNG. JPG quality nearly always 90%.

Dimensions are determined by the client, but usually 2048 or 3072 long side, or full size (whatever it is after any necessary cropping). Image dimensions may be determined by client or set appropriate to the image.

Watermarks are added or not, depending on client delivery requirements. Sometimes my watermark, sometimes theirs.

My default delivery method is a zip file download from my web site secure area. But sometimes they want WeTransfer or Dropbox. Rarely, and if only a couple of files, it's just attached to an email.

Really large deliveries are broken into separate zip files.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What is your agreement with the customer? Are you sending them review copies of the files, pending full payment? Do you have a written agreement on how the files should be transferred, when paid in full? Do your images have watermarks, even after full-payment? Did you discuss printing vs social media?

In LRClassic, you should be creating your own personal User Export Presets specific to every possible output need for your images, such as 'Review Copy', 'Print File', 'Social Media', and so forth. With these presets, you have a virtual 1-click option to create all the images selected, preferably to a standard output folder. As you craft these presents, include / exclude the watermark(s), adjust the pixel length of the image long-side, rename the files, and adjust the JPEG quality to manage the output file size.

As discussed in this linked post, social media needs nothing more than 2048-pixels on the 'long side' of the image. If you're sending 'review copies' of your images, pending full payment, consider lowering the JPEG quality to around 70%, possibly with a watermark, possibly in a lower corner, or even splashed across the image center.

Recommended resizing parameters for digital images

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I don't understand what there is to be concerned about. I shoot RAW and do most editing in LR. When my files look the way I want I check the clients needs, export my files as jpegs to satisfy those needs and send them off. If they need a file size different than what I send they just let me know and I send that file in a different size. This sometimes happens when I export for a news letter or web site and they need to make a poster. I have lightroom presets for any size and you can make a preset in about thirty seconds. No concerns, just doing business. Remember, you are not sending RAW files, always just a tuned up copy in a different format.

jcboy3

deleted