College of Medicine

HOW-TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESOLUTION TYPES

When it comes to photos, resolution is important. But what exactly is resolution, and why does it matter? Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image. The more pixels an image has, the higher its resolution will be. This means that high-resolution images will look sharper and more detailed than low-resolution images.

Here is an example of low resolution image vs high resolution:

Web Resolution vs Print Resolution
Web resolution refers to the pixel dimensions of an image intended for digital display on websites, social media, or online publications. It is typically measured in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). Web images are optimized for faster loading times and are commonly set at 72 PPI as most screens have a standard resolution.

On the other hand, print resolution determines the level of detail and clarity in physical prints. It is measured in higher DPI values (usually 300 or more) to produce sharp and crisp prints. Print resolution is crucial for brochures, posters, magazines, or any material that will be physically reproduced.

Here is a graphic to explain the difference between the two:

Importance of High-Resolution Photos
High-resolution photos are important for several reasons.

1. They look better. The more pixels an image has, the sharper and more detailed it will be. This is especially important for images that will be enlarged, such as print images.
2. Versatility. You can use them for a variety of purposes, such as printing, web design, and social media.
3. Future needs. As display technology continues to improve, the demand for high-resolution images will only grow.

How to send us photos
When sending us photos we recommend photos as individual JPG or PNG file attachments, or if you have many photos, use a file sharing services like FSU’s NiFTy, Dropbox, or WeTransfer. Sending photos in a Word document is not recommended due to several limitations.

Word documents are primarily designed for text-based content, and while they can handle images, they are not optimized for preserving image quality. When you insert a photo into a Word document, it undergoes compression and resizing to fit within the document's constraints. This can significantly degrade the image quality, resulting in loss of detail, color accuracy, and overall visual impact. It is also much harder for us to extract the image from the word document. 

Conclusion
Photo resolution is an important factor to consider when working with images. By understanding the difference between web resolution and print resolution, you can ensure that your photos look their best no matter where they are displayed. And by not sending photos in Word documents, you can avoid the compression that can reduce their quality.