Image processing

We use different programs to process different types of data. For example, a word processing program operates on text data. For example, with a word processor you can cut, paste, copy and move blocks of text, change fonts, change margins, etc.

Similarly, an image processing program can resize, crop, adjust color and contrast, compress, and otherwise alter an image.

For example, I took a picture of my grandson Lucas with a digital camera. As you see, it is large (2,048 by 1,536 pixels), and is sideways. I used an image processing program to alter it.

The first thing I did was rotate it, then I cropped it to get a smaller picture. This cropped version is 357 by 381 pixels, and I used it as the starting point for the following steps.

My goal was to get a picture of Lucas that was exactly 200 pixels wide and an icon that was 50 pixels wide. I did not resize the picture immediately, but worked with it at full resolution. Resizing to fit your space should be the final step. Here are some of the things I tried:

First I auto-adjusted the contrast of the 357 by 381 pixel image.

I did not like that, so I manually made a high-contrast version.

Just for fun, I made a "graphic pen" version.

I liked the high-contrast image so I used it to make the 50-pixel icon. Note that this was the first time I resized the image. I had only cropped it to this point.

I resized the high-contrast image to make the 200-pixel image needed to fit in the space on my Web page

Just for fun, I cropped the image to Lucas' right eye.

I then resized the eye to show graininess. If you plan to crop pictures, be sure you have a high-resolution camera or scanner.

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First I auto-adjusted the contrast of the 357 by 381 pixel image.
I did not like that, so I manually made a high-contrast version.
Just for fun, I made a "graphic pen" version.
I liked the high-contrast image so I used it to make the 50-pixel icon. Note that this was the first time I resized the image. I had only cropped it to this point.
I resized the high-contrast image to make the 200-pixel image needed to fit in the space on my Web page
Just for fun, I cropped the image to Lucas' right eye.
I then resized the eye to show graininess. If you plan to crop pictures, be sure you have a high-resolution camera or scanner.