Question about image size and editing.

So,
I edit with Photoshop and I shoot in like 5000x3200 or whatever it is.


My question is:



Should I edit everything........ EVERYTHING.. in the original size then shrink it down to the size I normally upload it to my website to?

I was told its always best to edit at the largest size, then I noticed some things scale to the image size so when you add them to a photo it is way more harsh when it shrinks.


I normally edit them to 1200x800ish and same for portrait style.


I was really wondering if you lose quality by editing at a smaller size. I guess it really doesn't matter besides the things that may scale to photo size and just look really harsh when I shrink the photos.

I edit things in the "original" size, although if I'm doing sharpening and/or noise reduction I do that in my Raw processor at a 100% view, or if I'm wanting to fine-tune things for a large print I can work on things sized to the "real" print size.

Since most of my "final" output is for the Web, though, I do what looks good for the screen. But, like I said, for a large print things can be a bit different.

I read the OP and thought I didn't quite understand the question.

Now I'm sure I don't.

First I guess the OP wants to edit a downsized version to save disk space? I've never had 'some things' become more 'harsh' while downscaling an image, even with layers. Usually the sharpening is off and I re-sharpen for the output image size though (when i can be bothered).

You clearly don't understand because I never said anything about disk size .
There isn't many times but frequency separation always scales awkwardly or is worse when I resize .

Idk

Maybe the sharpening is the only thing then. Would make sense but I figured there would be more things that would do the same.

Hmm.

I hate editing -.-

I always edit the full size image ( as it came out of camera)
it will only get compressed / shrunk when necessary when destination requires a given size
eg. forum, facebook, whatever
And the compressed image is ALWAYS saved as a separate image usually with an a or b or the end of the filename ..... 2013-09-15a.jpg


don't hate editing ....
its the fun part ... where you get to be really creative and explore new styles


Dave

Im not sure why you edit in anything other than full size. You can always downsize or down res an image but you cant go the other way without quality loss. As for editing full size then it being harsh when downsized, if thats happening you are doing something wrong when downsizing or perhaps your software has a rendering issue.

Editing full size will always give better results because you have more image information to work with. If you are having quality issues when resizing then there is something incorrect in your work-flow that is causing the problem. Post some sample images that show the problem and describe what your resizing work-flow is and someone may be able to help resolve the issue.

I edit with the destination firmly in mind. I will often reprocess a good image from scratch a number of times, so I get a print suitable for framing, another for web posting and maybe a third for selling at a market fair.