Resizing Pictures *Help*

So after I take pictures, I want to be able to make all the pictures I publish the same size. But what I don't understand is how to achieve this after cropping because no one can crop a picture perfectly the same size every time before resizing the image.

To put this in simpler terms picture this:

If I took a picture and cropped it to what I wanted it to be, then resized it to 800 width and let it auto pick my height...

Then I take picture number two which is completely different and crop it (obviously not going to be the exact same crop size as picture one). Then resize it to 800 again, its not going to be the same, correct?

This whole process confuses the hell out of me. Would someone mind explaining to me the easiest way to crop and resize all images regardless of what it looks like to end up the same size to then put a border on and publish.

If you still are confused about what I'm talking about, take these two images.

Cropped them both, then resized them in PS.

1st: 500x415 (more square than the below picture)

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

I don't understand what the problem is?

If you have a certain size you want, just enter both dimensions in the Options Bar when you choose the Crop Tool.

I don't think you are understanding what I am asking. It is really hard to try and explain this situation.
Go back up and re-read my original post because I have a feeling you didn't read the whole thing. I explained it in like three different ways because I knew people would not understand.

Let's try this again...

I want ALL of my pictures that I post process to have the exact same dimensions AFTER I crop them. Also note that it is impossible to crop two different pictures to the same dimensions.

Lets say I take a picture of the ocean. I crop out the unnecessary stuff and get an image thats ___x___. (numbers not important) Then I take a picture of the city and crop it to ___x___. Two totally different images. Like I mentioned before, it's impossible to make the same exact dimensional crop on those two images. So then when I go to resize and enter 800 pixels for width, I'm going to get different heights for the two images described above. This is when the "constrain proportions" box is checked, which should always be checked anyway.

Does this make sense yet? Anyone else?

So back to my original question. How do I make all my photos have the same dimensions before publishing. I have seen people post series of photos from a trip where all the ones they post have the same dimensions. So there has to be a way to do this unless they did no cropping whatsoever and just edited them then resized all of the widths the same...which would make all the heights the same too since there was no cropping to tamper with proportions.

So, think about what you are asking -- "how do I make two pictures that I've cropped to have different dimensions sized to have the same dimensions?" Well the answer is you most likely don't want to do that because if you force it in an image resizer you will distort one of the images. Sure you can, but do you really want to?

To "produce" images at a given set of dimensions you want to crop at the same "aspect ratio" -- depending on the software you are using you should be able to pick from some kind of list and draw a rectangle at a given ratio that will fit your composition. Cropping "freestyle" will not work.

Then when you resize you do what you've been doing -- set a max size at the longest dimension, and then the dimensions will match.

I guess overall what I was looking for was is there a crop tool that will not use free crop, but crop a rectangle that's the size dimensions as my image?

Dirty Murd wrote in post #11846007
I guess overall what I was looking for was is there a crop tool that will not use free crop, but crop a rectangle that's the size dimensions as my image?

You do this with aspect ratios -- realize that if you specify dimensions in inches you will still have to drag the borders to fit your composition. OK, if you want to do that and your crop tool allows that, fine, although I always go for the aspect ratio and don't worry about inches -- if I want to print it's easy to handle a print in inches but if you are preparing for the Web, inches mean nothing, only the dimensions in inches. So, the crop set to an aspect ratio will remain steady and produce either a Web resize or a print size depending on how you work the resize.

You can do this in 1 or 2 steps (some has already been explained in here). Both are very simple concepts and easy to do.

1 Step (if you just want the final image size, and perhaps no larger image version)
Photoshop use the crop tool in the tool options (top left corner of photoshop) type in the dimensions you want in each box (ex 800px = 800 pixels).

Then drag the crop box to the desired area and complete.

2 Step (do this is you prefer to have a larger image available for higher quality needs later on)
Photoshop, crop tool, instead of specifying the crop dimensions, select aspect ratio from the tool drop down options. Then crop as desired. Note if you have done a custom rotation to even the horizon, the aspect ratio will be taken after the rotation, and be slightly different that the original image (DPP has an option to work around this if you need to). Then save this file.

Second part is to do the final resize. You can crop again as in the 1 step, or as I prefer use Irfan View (free download program) and resize (Ctrl+R) here you can enter the desired size, complete that and save under a new name.

I do the 2 step method for saving my pictures for the web and keeping a high quality version for printing etc,... I prefer using Irfanview as it does quite well at keeping the edges smooth and is also easy to adjust the size / quality of the file when saving.

There are several other ways / programs that do this. Just figure out what works for you.

Alright, thanks a bunch guys! Super helpful! Now I just gotta go and try it. Currently DLing CS5.

You don't need to have CS5 to do this -- virtually any image editing program lets you do this. If you install the Canon software Digital Photo Professional (DPP) and open the Trimming tool then Aspect Ratio is staring you right in your eyes!

Well, maybe install Digital Photo Professional -- many of us use it and can then walk you through things!

Tony, I know I don't need CS5 to do that simple thing I was asking about. Haha, I have just always wanted CS5 and now I have it! PS Actions FTW!

Well, then, you have spoiled yourself!

Haha, yeah definitely! Thanks for all the help, guys!

i did this in adobe photoshop elements 9... was easy but for 1 thing.. you unfortunately cant batch it... so i had 200pics from new years that i wanted to do...

i did the locked aspect ratio.. 1920x1080.. then simply click and size the box.. it will max out each dimension.. then move it up and or down to where i want to crop out... and viola... save.. done... but for each pic.... why cant AI get to where it knows what WE would want? that is all im trying to say..