changing DPI

Chaning DPI
Ok, Here is my problem. I have a Canon 10D.
When I take a picture with the highest quality it sets it at this:

Pixel Dimensions:
Width: 2048 pixels
Heigth: 3072 Pixels

Document Size:
Width: 11.378 Inches
Height: 17.067 inches
Resolution: 180 pixels/inch
My question is: Do I need to change the pixels on the Resolution to get a better quality picture? And if so, how do I do this without wrecking it? I want to be able to print large sizes...over 11x14. Like 16x20. Can anyone help me?
Thanks Alot!

the pixels are the important thing here - if that the biggest on the camera than thats the quality.
Now printing - you probably have a default of 180 PPI so thats why it states that - now to print for top quality prints around 300 PPI is the setting
However, somepeople say you can set to as low as 150 - I use 300 and i think epson printers like 240

does that help

to get bigger prints you will need to enlarge - there are some photoshop techniques to do this and a lot of people seem to think to resize by 10% is OK - otherwise use something like genuine fractuals program

Changing the DPI will not make a difference in the picture quality. You can up size your 2048 x 3072 image with software such as Genuine Fractals to produce a larger print of good quality.

Edit: I type to slow.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'text/html'

As long as you are shooting your JPG using Large/Fine, you will have the highest resolution image possible with the 10D (short of shooting in RAW). Don't mind the 180 pixels/inch resolution. If you've read any of the other DPI or resolution related threads here, you'll find that the resolution stored with the image is practically meaningless.

Actually, you should count your blessings because those with the newer cameras have their JPG image file resolution set to 72 ppi and that really has some people in an uproar.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=83445

Yep same with video!
http://www.scantips.co​m/no72dpi.html

Please don't confuse that article with video images (motion pictures). It is merely talking about computer video displays.

The thing that folks need to understand is that the resolution (PPI/DPI) number only relates to PRINTING. It is pretty simple. However, so many uninformed people look at specifications and get upset without understanding them.

It is exactly the same. DPI and video have NOTHING to do with each other. I am in no way "confused".

If you would like to read more about it, I run the iMovie FAQ and you can read more about scanning pictures and using it in video here and also here

Exactly.

I am not interested in what it looks like on screen. I am only interested in printing.
So if I want to print a picture say like a 16x20 size (hanging on my wall)...do I need to change that 180 to a higher resolution?? Or leave it? Is it better to shoot in raw?

for top quality usually a rule of thumb is cahnge to 300 ish i heard some epson printers like 240
but if you want a 16x20 on the wall then you need the pixels to start with
so to get 16" at 300PPI pixels per inch - then 16 x 300 = 4800 pixels
20 " at 300PPI 20x300 = 6000
so you need an image 6000x4800 pixels to start with
its better to shot in raw as that is like a negative and does not have any camera software applied - so you can do anything you like after the shot

what the max size pixels you can get out of your camera

theres loads of posts here about printing out and resolutions - but as a new member I can point you there

OK, so if I shoot in raw..then it does not matter if I change the resolution...but if it is already set, it will not be good right?
Also...if I change the 180 to 300...won't that affect my image quality? I just do not get this...grrrrr

Set it to any number you like. It's doesn't affect image quality at all. If you tell your software or lab to print at any given size, the number is meaningless.

Will a print size 16x20 or larger be poor quality if I keep the settings just as they are? (Look at 1st post for what is set)

No
The PPI just tells the printer how many pixels per inch it will need to print out at
so if you have an image 100x100 pixels taken in raw or jpg off the camera
the size is 100 x 100
if in the image editor it defaults to say 10PPI that means nothing just a default setting and if you use it TO PRINT ONLY then it will use 10 of your pixels for every inch therefor the you will be able to print out 10" x 10" BUT image how the image print will lookk with only 10ppixels perinch - pretty rubbish very blocky
now you can change that setting to 100PPI
nothing will happen to the image on the screen or nothing has happened to the image quality but WHEN YOU PRINT IT the printer will know to use 100 of your pixels for each inch - so it will print 1" x 1" and you will get a better quality print.....

so the rule of thump is that for top quality PRINTS you need to use 300 PPI
now on our example this will print out at a size of 100pixels /300PPI = 1/3" x 1/3" very small
so the more pixels you have in the original image the better the PRINT quality will be possible

does that help

OK yes that helps..but....how do I change it to do that when I take the pic? The 10D I have sets it at that automaticly...so Can I change it before I take the picture? IF not...will shooting in raw help?