Resizing and Sharpening images for Squarespace

[CJAD]

Hi Damien,

Hoping you can help. I have taken the print sharpening class but this is a site specific issue.

My new employers website is hosted by squarespace. Firstly as it is a responsive website how on earth do I apply sharpening? Secondly they recommend uploading images at a 3:2 ratio but most of the gallery boxes are no where near 3:2 and neither the website lady nor squarespace are able to tell me what aspect ratio the boxes are as quote, they change depending on whether the are viewed on phone PC or tablet.

My head hurts trying to figure out how to get my images to look good when I have no control over size aspect ratio or sharpening. Do you have any advice?

Thank you

[Damien Symonds]

Does squarespace give a maximum upload size, at least?

[CJAD]

A width of 1500px. They say they will do the rest. I assumed that meant 1500px on the longest edge but re-reading it definitely says width so maybe I wrongly assume there and should resize.

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, interesting!  I wonder if they mean 1500 width even for portrait photos?  Or doesn't the site allow for portrait photos?

[CJAD]

In the scrolling gallery you can select an option to not crop or stretch to fill the "box" which I have asked them to select so the images retain their shape and just have a black frame around. But they arent comfortable with the gallery showing images of all different shapes. I said tell me the aspect ratio of the frame and I'll crop all my images to fit and apply a moderate amount of sharpening  but even square space arent able to tell me what it is! The company haven't uploaded any portrait images as yet I am assuming they will display quite small.

It frustrating not having control over it myself to be honest as then at least I could experiment! The clients I aim to attract through the site are photographers so I want it to look good, it hard dealing with someone who is just comms and marketing and thinks everything looks fine to her and I only I notice the quality issues!

I suspect there is no solution? Not sharpening at all? Which makes me sad.

 

https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/206566727-Resizing-an-image

[Damien Symonds]

1 minute ago, CJAD said:

In the scrolling gallery you can select an option to not crop or stretch to fill the "box" which I have asked them to select so the images retain their shape and just have a black frame around. But they arent comfortable with the gallery showing images of all different shapes. I said tell me the aspect ratio of the frame and I'll crop all my images to fit

No, no, no, that's the point, don't you see?  There is no set aspect ratio.  Because of the responsive site.

You just PICK an aspect ratio that you like, and use it for all images.  Roughly 2:3, I guess, but err towards squarer if anything.  Use 1500px wide, and sharpen for web in the usual way.  That's all you can do.

[CJAD]

Ok awesome, so I just have train the comms lady to place the focal point on the important part of the images and chill out! Thanks Damo, you are a star as always!