Best ratio size/weight for my GD gallery

Want good looking and not heavy pics

[tomda]

Hi,

I am going to start a GD gallery where users can post pictures.

Currently, submitted pictures must be less 650x470px and less than 60 Kb. I also creates in the same time some thumbnail (around 1-2kb per shot).

The quality is more than enough for the web but what if I want to make some prints of the picture (e.g. books, brochures). Also, I do not want to allow users to post large pic (server space and bandwith use limited).

Which ratio are you using? What do you recommend me?

Thank you

[limbo]

Tomda

If you are going to use any of the shots for print you will need the originals (or close to them). As high quality as you can get. 300dpi is the bench mark I use depending of the job, and what type of printing is involved (some paper/print/sizes types are more forgiving).

I suppose one option that would cover most bases would be to ask for the artwork to be in .EPS format. This is a non lossy, so photos can be stored this way, but more importantly they will maintain vector illustrations. The file size will alter depending of the type of artwork involved anywhere from 20-40kb to 20-40mb.

[limbo]

Another advantage of .EPS is the way Winzip and Stuffit crunch them. I have just reduced a Photoshop eps from 46 mb to 1.7mb - granted, the content was a lot of block colours for 2 colour print job but you get the picture.

Perhaps you could ask for zipped files and offer them for download too?

>> Edited post for abysmal English

[tomda]

Thanks Limbo for your advice, though I prefer to make it as simplest as possible so pic will be posted in JPEG. Many users still do not know what a .ZIP is, so .EPS is out of question :)

I am thinking to increase the limit to 100 Kb for the same length and height. Then if I need a large size, I will just request the original to the sender.

[limbo]

JPEGs are OK, but you'll need a higher res than 72ppi for Printing. request those images you want to use for print at 300ppi and you'll be OK for most jobs.