jgaines

If you want to have the 3872x2592 pixel image to be 18x12 at 300 ppi, then you will have to resample the image to increase the number of pixels.

In Photoshop, starting with your size 3872x2592 at 72 pixels/inch then:

1. Use image>image size

At the image size window?uncheck ?resample image?

Set the long side at 18 and the short side will end up at 12.05 with

215.11 pixels/inch.

2. After this is completed then check the ?resample image? and change the method to ?bicubic smoother?. Then set the pixels/inch to 300.

3. This will cause the image to be resized to about 5400x3615

4. Click OK to complete the operation

This will resize the image as you wish, and you can continue to work on the image to crop the size to 18x12 and other image changes as you see fit.

Depending upon the printer used, the image may print just fine at the 215 pixel/inch.

I would search photo.net for other discussions on this.

Another variation is to resample the image in 10% increments to achieve the 300.

I would try both methods to see which does best for you.

I do not believe you would be happy with some software "auto" correcting for dust. You should use a program where your are making the decisions on the dust removal.

I recommend Photoshop Elements 4 or 5 ( approx. $100 US). It has most of the power of Photoshop and for dust removal the "clone stamp" and other tools with do a outstanding job.

Jim

Another link to discuss resizing and resampling is at:

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/essentials/resizing-vs-resampling.php

You should always resize first. Only resample is necessary to achieve the 200 - 300 ppi needed for printing.

The last thing prior to printing is to sharpen the image.

A good starting point is to use "Smart Sharpen" at 100% amount and .5 to 1 on the radius.

Jim

If you want to learn more about PSE5 I would recommend the internet training classes at: http://www.eclecticacademy.com/graphics.htm

The two classes for PSE4 are great and the differences from 4 to 5 are trivial for these classes.

These are 6 week courses and are very economical.

I also recommend the Scott Kelby book.

Jim

I just recently purchased an HP computer with the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4GHz), and 4 gigs of ram. This is plenty of power for Photoshop CS2 or CS3. A good computer (less monitor) will be in the 2k price range.

I would look at reviews (google search) on monitors that are best for photo work. You don't want the typical average monitor.

You will also need a color calibration device for your monitor. I use Spyder2PRO, but there others that will do as good or better.

Jim

You may not have to do anything. I have PSE5 and CS3. If you are viewing your photos in the PSE5 organizer, you can right click on a photo and you will see an option to "edit with Photoshop". If you pick this option the photo will be opened in Photoshop rather than PSE5 editor.

Jim

If you have an image+layer mask, that is smaller than the background, image (i.e. on a layer of it's own). Then use the transform command (Ctrl+T), then only move it, the mask will follow.

Hope this helps.

Jim

I would conclude that Adobe Gamma has not been set up. For my computer it was already installed and I removed it.

When I installed my Sypder2Pro software, the installation program, gave a message about Adobe Gamma or like, might be installed an it would need to be deactivated.

Jim

I have a new computer with Vista and Sypder2Pro. The information on the Colorvision site to disable Adobe Gamma is still ok.

Here it is from their site:

"Remove the Adobe Gamma icon from your Startup folder. This can be done by right-clicking on the Start button > go to Open or Open All Users > double-click PROGRAMS > double-click STARTUP. Right-click on Adobe Gamma or Adobe Gamma Loader.exe and delete."

My Sypder2Pro calibration works fine.

I would be leary of using CS3 beta all the time. If you visit the Adobe forum site about CS3 you will see many issues that need fixing I would go back to CS2. I have it also and have quit using it for my work.

Jim

I would check the sites that have camera reviews such as:

http://www.dpreview.com/, and http://www.dcresource.com/.

In the P&S cameras you will find the ISO is usually not so good above 200 - 400.

Also include Panasonic in you reviews.

Jim

You should check out the Adobe forum for CS3 beta. There you will find lots of items about it and known issues with printing.

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/categories.cfm?forumid=72&catid=626&CFID=24675269&CFTOKEN=940cfd47fb06aea1-CA04D1D4-A204-93A4-B4C4D53616EB460F&jsessionid=48304b5861d02f325769

Jim

I downloaded the file Borders A. This is a compressed file (Zip)that first must be unzipped. I used Winzip. After you unzip the files you will have normal (psd) files that can be edited or worked with as you please.

These are not filters....

When you unzip the files you need to place the files where you desire on your computer.

After that then open one of them in your PS6 and you will see they are normal image files.

Hope this helps

Jim

I downloaded the first one to see. These appear to be simple borders on transparent layers. The key to applying these are to use layers.

I am going to assume you have a photo editing program that can handle layers (i.e. Photoshop or Photoshop Elements)

Open the image you want apply to border to and open the border you want to use. You will note the border probably has two layers, one for the border and one for a backgound color to simulate the picture.

The next thing would be to resize (with resampling) the border to match the image size you want to apply (In my trial I found the border did not resize correctly for my image size.) Be prepared to modify the border after resizing to make it fit you image.

After you have the border resized to fit you image. Then copy the border layer to the clipboard. (Select all Ctrl-A then Copy Ctrl-C).

Make your image the active one. Then paste the border into your image. (Ctrl-V)

It should appear above you background image as a layer.

Make what ever changes you want to finish the result. Save as a new file name so you will not destroy the original image.

Hope this helps...

Jim

Your "new document" size (width,height) and resolution (pixel/inch) must match the same specs as the picture you are importing. If they are not then Photoshop will resize the imported image to make it conform to the specs of the "current" image.

Hope this helps.

Jim

D.C. Resource just published a camera review, this may help.

http://www.dcresource.com/

Jim

You might consider looking at the review of your camera at

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakz740/

This may be helpful also.

Jim

The review on this camera at dcresource.com indicates you have software to convert RAW to JPG, but you cannot make adjustments on RAW. This would let you convert, then use CS to do everything else.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Raw Shooter Essentials:

http://www.pixmantec.com/products/rawshooter.asp

Jim

I would look at the FZ7 camera review on Digtal Photography Review.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz7/

At maximum JPG file size, they are around 1.5 mb each and translates into about 330 + images for a 1 gig card.

I would recomment the Sandisk Ultra II card for best blend of speed and price.

Jim

The basics is in "Layers". You will open the border image and the picture image. Then resize the border image to the size of your picture image. Select the border image (select> all) then copy this image into your clipboard (Ctrl-C).

Make your picture the active image then "paste" the border into the picture. It will create a new layer and should be on top of the picture.

This is a basic example.

For more help on using your program Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, then I would suggest checking out the Eclectic Academy for courses. The site is at: www.eclecticacademy.com. These are good courses at a good price.