Question

When scanning, which of the following is the recommendation?

1) Scan at a low resolution and resample for larger or smaller size if needed.
2) Scan at a high resolution in order to resize lower if needed.

Answer 1

It is recommended to scan or set your camera to a high resolution and use no compression to retain maximum image quality, especially for printing. Later, you can resize or compress the images if needed for different uses such as screen display.

Step-by-step explanation:

When scanning or setting up your digital camera, it's generally recommended to scan at a high resolution because it's easier to downsize a high-res image without losing quality, rather than trying to improve a low-res image. High resolution guarantees that the image has a high number of pixels, which will make it appear sharp and detailed, especially useful for printing. Compression refers to the method of reducing the file size of an image, which might lead to quality loss if overdone.

The use of no compression is advisable to maintain the best quality possible. If you require a smaller file size for applications such as web display, you can alter the images later using photo editing software. It is important to consider your end goal, whether for printing or screen display, as these will dictate your resolution and compression settings. Higher resolution and less compression are preferred for printing, while moderate resolution and more compression may suffice for screen viewing.