Week 9:  Photography on the Smartphone

Today, we will look at several things involving photos on the smartphone.  

• Properties of a photo

• Storing photos on the device

• Using cloud storage to store

• Editing photos in the photo app

• Editing photos using Snapseed

Your photo holds information about the photo including size, resolution, color and more.

This can be accessed in different ways:

Apple photos:  Open a photo and click on the “I” in a circle below the picture

Google photos: Open  a photo and then click on the 3 dots at the top of the screen. 

Pixels vs. Megabytes (MB) in Understanding a Photo

Both pixels and megabytes (MB) are important for understanding digital photos, but they measure different aspects of an image.

Pixels (px) – Image Resolution

• Definition: Pixels are the tiny dots that make up a digital image. The more pixels an image has, the sharper and more detailed it appears.

• How It’s Measured:

  • The resolution of an image is given in width × height (e.g., 3024 × 4032 px in an image).

  • A higher resolution means more pixels, which generally results in better clarity and detail.

• Why It Matters:

  • Higher pixel count allows for clearer prints and better zooming without losing detail.

  • However, more pixels don’t always mean better quality—other factors like lens quality, lighting, and sensor performance affect image quality.

Megabytes (MB) – File Size

• Definition: Photos are saved in the decimal format.  Most are in megabytes (Mb).   You may see storage in kilobytes (KB) or gigabytes (GB) For comparison purposes, 1 KB = 1,000 Bytes,  1 MB = 1,000 and   1 GB = 1,000 MB  (Computers may use a slightly different format called binary, where 1,024 KB equals 1 MB, and 1,024 MB equals 1 GB.)

• How It’s Measured: If an  image is 1.6 MB, it means that it  takes up 1.6 megabytes of storage.

• File size is affected by:

  • Resolution (Pixels) – More pixels usually mean a larger file size.

  • Compression – JPEG and HEIC files are compressed to save space.

  • Image Detail – More colors, textures, and sharp edges increase file size.

  • Format – RAW files (uncompressed) are much larger than JPEGs (compressed).

    How They Relate

• More Pixels = More Detail but may also increase the file size.

• More MB = Larger File but doesn’t always mean better quality. A poorly compressed high-resolution image can take up less space but lose detail.

Balancing Quality & Size:

• • For web use: Lower MB (1-2 MB) with reasonable resolution (e.g., 1920 × 1080 px) is ideal.

  • For printing: High pixel resolution (at least 3000 × 4000 px) and a larger file size (5+ MB) are better.

Visual Comparison: High Resolution vs. Low Resolution

• The left image (High Resolution) has more pixels, resulting in finer details and a sharper appearance.

• The right image (Low Resolution) has fewer pixels, making it appear blocky and less detailed.

Even though both images are displayed at the same size, the low-resolution image looks pixelated because it lacks enough pixels to represent fine details smoothly.

How This Relates to File Size (MB)

• A higher resolution image (left) will generally have a larger file size (more MB) because it contains more data.

• A lower resolution image (right) has fewer pixels and will have a smaller file size (fewer MB) since there is less data to store.

This is why high-resolution images take up more storage space but are better for printing and zooming in without losing quality. On the other hand, low-resolution images are more compressed and are often used for quick loading on websites.

What about sharing?

When sharing photos, we are sometimes asked to determine what size to use.  Here is a breakdown:

Small (around 100 – 500 KB):  Good for quick sharing, may look pixelated if zoomed in

Medium (around 1 MB): Decent for phone viewing and good for emails and social media

Large (2 to 5 MB): High quality, ideal for printing small prints (4 X 6 or 5 X 7)

Full size (over 5 MB):  Best for high resolution printing or professional use.  Takes more storage and bandwidth to send

Can You Increase the Resolution of a Low-Resolution Image for Printing?

Yes, but with limitations. While you can increase the pixel dimensions of an image using software, it won't magically add detail that wasn't there originally. Instead, the image may become blurry or pixelated. You can view a guide generated by ChatGPT if you would like to give it a try.

How Much Can You Enlarge an Image for Printing?

The ideal print resolution is 300 dpi (dots per inch) for high-quality prints.

• If an image is 1200 × 1800 pixels, it can be printed at: 

o 4 × 6 inches at 300 dpi (Good quality)

o 8 × 12 inches at 150 dpi (Lower quality)

o Larger sizes will lose sharpness

What If You Must Print a Low-Resolution Image?

• Use AI upscaling software to enhance details.  Examples include:  

• Let’s Enhance

• Upscale.media

• Adobe Express Photo Enhancer

• VanceAI

• Reduce the print size to keep quality higher.

• Use a photo filter (soft blur or sharpening) to smooth pixelation.

Other cloud storage options

If you were a Google Photos user, you may be disappointed that you are losing this free storage.  However, there are options besides iCloud and Google Photos.  Here are some of them:

• Are you a power-user?  Consider Flickr’s Unlimited Paid plan.  For $6.99/month or $60 a year, you can have unlimited online photo storage.  Not only that, they are stored in full resolution.  Great option if you have lots of photos, and especially if they are in different formats than just jpeg.

• Do you have a Microsoft 365 account?  In this case, you can purchase a 1 TB storage on One Drive for $99.99 a year. 

• Are you an Amazon Prime member?  You can enjoy unlimited photo storage (but only 5GB for videos, so keep that in mind). 

• Cloud backup:  Or, you can just use a cloud-based storage service like iDrive or Carbonite.  They do have a cost involved, but they include unlimited (or high capacity) storage of all files, automatically.

• Social networks (still free unlimited for the most part)

• Dropbox or Evernote: Free up to 5GB

• External Hard drive:  For the cost of the hard drive, you can save all photos to this external hard drive.  Good option if you want to keep them “in house” but may not be the best option in terms of security or in case the device fails. 

(For iPhone and Android Users)

1. Open the Photo Editing Tool

• iPhone: Open the Photos app, select a photo, and tap Edit (top right).

• Android: Open the Google Photos app (or your phone’s default gallery), select a photo, and tap Edit (or the pencil icon).

2. Adjust Brightness & Exposure

• Tap Adjust (or Edit).

• Look for Brightness, Exposure, or Light.

• Slide left/right to increase or decrease brightness.

• Tap Done (iPhone) or Save (Android).

Tip: Brightening dark photos can make details pop!

3. Crop & Rotate

• Tap Crop or Trim.

• Rotate the image if needed using the rotation tool.

• Use preset aspect ratios (e.g., square, 16:9) for social media.

• Tap Done or Save when satisfied.

Tip: Cropping out unnecessary background makes your subject stand out!

4. Enhance Colors

• Tap Adjust (iPhone) or Edit > Adjust (Android).

• Use Saturation to boost colors (slide right for more, left for less).

• Use Warmth to make the image cooler (blue) or warmer (yellow).

Tip: Too much saturation can look unnatural—find a balance!

5. Apply Filters (Optional)

• Tap Filters (iPhone) or Looks (Android).

• Browse and select a filter that enhances your photo.

• Adjust the intensity using the slider.

• Tap Done or Save.

Tip: Subtle filters can enhance a photo without making it look over-edited.

6. Remove Blemishes (Android Only)

• In Google Photos, tap Tools > Magic Eraser (on supported devices) or Retouch in other apps.

• Select unwanted spots and let the tool remove them.

Tip: For iPhones, try the free "Snapseed" app for similar tools!

7. Sharpen for Clarity

• Tap Adjust (iPhone) or Edit > Adjust (Android).

• Find Sharpness or Clarity.

• Slide slightly to enhance details—don’t overdo it!

Tip: A little sharpening helps define edges, but too much makes photos grainy.

8. Save & Share

• Tap Done (iPhone) or Save Copy (Android) to keep your original photo intact.

• Share your edited masterpiece via text, social media, or email!

Final Tips

• Always save a copy before making major edits.

• Avoid over-editing—natural-looking photos are best!

• Try third-party apps like Snapseed (iPhone & Android) for more advanced tools.

(For iPhone & Android Users)

1. Getting Started

• Download & Open Snapseed: Install from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).

• Open Snapseed and tap + or Open to select a photo.

2. Basic Adjustments

• Tap Tools to access editing options.

• Select Tune Image to adjust brightness, contrast, and more.

• Swipe up/down to choose an adjustment.

• Swipe left/right to increase or decrease intensity.

• Tap ✓ (checkmark) to apply.

Tip: Use "Auto Adjust" in Tune Image for quick enhancements!

3. Crop & Rotate

• Tap Crop to trim the image.

• Choose aspect ratios like Square, 16:9, 4:3.

• Tap Rotate to straighten or flip your image.

• Tap ✓ to save changes.

Tip: Straighten horizons for a more balanced look!

4. Enhancing Details

• Tap Details to sharpen and enhance textures.

• Use Structure to add depth.

• Use Sharpening to refine edges (don’t overdo it!).

Tip: Too much sharpening can make photos look unnatural.

5. Adjusting Colors & Exposure

• Tap White Balance to correct color tones.

• Use Saturation to make colors pop.

• Try Curves for advanced brightness control.

• Tap ✓ to save.

Tip: Adjust warmth for a cooler (blue) or warmer (yellow) feel.

6. Using Filters (Looks)

• Tap Looks (bottom of screen) to browse filters.

• Adjust intensity using the slider.

• Tap ✓ to apply.

Tip: Filters should enhance, not overpower the photo!

7. Removing Unwanted Objects

• Tap Tools > Healing.

• Tap or brush over unwanted spots (e.g., blemishes, distractions).

• Snapseed automatically removes them.

• Tap ✓ when done.

Tip: Use small brush strokes for better accuracy!

8. Blurring Backgrounds (Portrait Effect)

• Tap Tools > Lens Blur.

• Adjust the blur strength with the slider.

• Move the focus circle to highlight your subject.

• Tap ✓ to save.

Tip: This creates a professional, DSLR-like effect!

9. Adding Text & Frames

• Tap Tools > Text to overlay words on your photo.

• Choose fonts and styles.

• Tap Tools > Frames to add a border.

• Tap ✓ to save.

Tip: Use text sparingly for a clean look!

10. Saving & Exporting

• Tap Export (bottom right).

• Choose:

o Save (Keeps edits within Snapseed).

o Export (Creates a new file with edits).

o Share (Sends directly to social media or messages).

Tip: Use "Export" to save a high-quality copy without replacing the original!

Final Tips

• Always start with small adjustments to avoid over-editing

• Use "View Edits" (top right) to undo changes.

• Experiment! Snapseed is powerful yet user-friendly.