Creating a Loving Video™ - Picture Size and Compression

The quality of the pictures we receive will determine, to a large extent, determine the quality of the finished video tribute. Sometimes the original image quality is low and the way in which the photo is scanned is not too important. However, the way the picture is scanned is important with normal quality photographs.

The video is over 700 pixels wide, so, where possible, the scanned photographs that you upload should be more than 700 pixels wide. You should try to scan each photograph so that it is at least 1000 pixels wide.

Most scanners have several resolutions. Scanners frequently quote the resolution in dots per inch (dpi). Common resolutions are 75, 100, 150, 300 and 600 dpi. A 4 inch wide picture scanned at 300 dpi will create a picture that is 1200 pixels, and will allow us to zoom into the picture during the video without the loss of any picture quality. A 6 inch wide picture scanned at 150 dpi will produce a 900 pixel wide picture, which still will allow us to zoom in somewhat with no loss of quality.

Your scanner software probably will save the image at a reasonable compression level. Some programs will allow you to see the result of saving the picture at different compression levels. Generally, we suggest that you use the default compression level. However, you should select a compression level that does not visibly affect the quality of the image if you choose to set the compression level.