Size of thumbnails in photoshop

[Joe Busuttil]

When I download pictures from my digital camera onto the computer all thumbnails pop up in one and the same size but when I open different thumbnails with photoshop, sometimes I get 25%, or 33.33%, or 100% on top of the photos.

Why does this happen? and what does it mean? Can I perhaps change some camera settings so that all pictures come out at 100%?

I use Canon digital SX10 IS, Photoshop CS5, Windows XP.

Please be patient with me as at age 74 I easily get confused with all this digital and computer stuff.



Many thks.

Joe Busuttil

[Lord of the Rings]

Without investigating first, my first response is, Photoshop will downsize view-size to a particular size (area) depending on your monitor size and screen settings to be sure it fits within a designated area. Most image viewing programs do the same thing. ie: it will depend on the image pixel height and width dimensions compared to your monitor's pixel resolution.

Two ways of increasing the view size in Photoshop. Easiest is to use Control + to increase the view size or Control - to decrease. Another method is to go to the bottom-left corner of the image, you will see the image % shown. You can click your mouse's cursor inside this area and change the figure. Then press enter and the size will change to that %. This allows a more accurate viewing size for working in rather than the control + which will increase the view size in designated percentage steps.



I forgot there is an equivalent changing of image % to the keyboard technique found under the View menu. There is also a Snap To -> Document bounds option, not sure if this applies or not. It's not something I change. ie: the general idea of view size in Photoshop is to show the entire image when you first open it, so Photoshop may decrease the % so it fits within the boundaries of its regular work area.

[Joe Busuttil]

Many thks for yr kind and detailed reply and sorry I did not reply earlier. To remind you: I AM A SLOW LEARNER AND TO OBTAIN RESULTS I HAVE TO STRUGGLE THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR OFTEN FOR MANY LONG HOURS.

Your advice helped me greatly and am pleased to say that I have now managed to re-size
thumbnail images so that each one of the two images carries the same percentage number. For instance, I brought up the figure 66.7% on one image to 70% and the 16.7% on the second image to a 70% as well.

That way I had no problem in changing the dull sky on one image to a blue sky taken from a second image.


I am grateful for your help and kindness.

Joe