How can I save images without losing any quality at all?

Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I'm a novice.
I'm on macOS.
I go to Google Image.
I find an image that I want (this happens for any image).
I ctrl-click it.
I click on "copy image adress".
I paste the adress.
I see my image in high quality, I can zoom in an still have decent quality.
I ctrl-click it.
I click on "save image" (I tried both JPEG and PNG, same result).
Then I use an app like Preview or XnViewMP to view my image (the problem happens on both).
But the quality of the image has decreased, when I zoom in it looks pixelated.
Thus my question is: How can I save images without losing any quality at all?
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
Hi and welcome.

In my case, I avoid a step which you outlined above. When I find an image (Google or otherwise), I Right Click (or Control Click if you have your Mouse set up that way) and choose either "Save Image to Downloads" or "Save Image As".

The first option is self explanatory, the second option allows you to save the image to any destination on your Mac and determine which format you prefer.

I don't see the need nor function of "copy image address".

Image quality - a difficult term to define - is determined by the source, not by you. By which I mean that the pixel density is set by the source and magnifying or enlarging it is bound to reduce the "clarity" of the image.

Ian
 

Slydude

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Messages
17,596
Reaction score
1,072
Points
113
Location
North Louisiana, USA
Your Mac's Specs
M1 MacMini 16 GB - Ventura, iPhone 14 Pro Max, 2015 iMac 16 GB Monterey
Also, be aware that the format used to save the file can significantly affect the image quality. How much degradation depends on the original image quality/resolution and the format used to save the file. JPEGs, for example, may look degraded compared to RAW images.

I'm sure some of our photo buffs can chime in with more information.
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
Yes, Sly. That’s why I prefer to use Save Image As. That way you can choose which format you wish. RAW isn’t an option from the internet as far as I know.

But can choose png or JPEG and with the latter, the quality you want.

At the end of the day, one cannot improve on the quality of the original.

Ian
 

krs


Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Messages
3,555
Reaction score
610
Points
113
Location
Canada
I just tried what the OP is doing.
And then I saved the image the way I usually do (same as everyone else it seems) - just do a right click and select "Save Image as...
With the "Save Image As..." I don't see any option to save that image in a different format - it is saved at whichever format the image was on the net.

Now the interesting thing is that if one enlarges the image in the browser (I use Firefox and command +) compared to enlarging the downloaded image, the downloaded image is definitely more pixelated than the downloaded image and it doesn't matter how the image is downloaded - either the way the OP does it or simply using "Save Image As...."

The image I used is 250x350 pixels with a 72dpi resolution, just a ramdom image on the net
I don't know if one can see the difference in the attachment, I had to reduce the size of the image for the forum software to accept it.

The image on the very right is the enlargement in the browser
The image in the centre is the enlargement of the download using the OPs method
The image on the left is the enlargement using the download via "Save Image As...."

To answer the OPs question - I think the difference is simply the way the software in the browser enlarges images vs. the software on the Mac.
The browser enlargement to me looks "softer" than the enlargement on the Mac, so pixelation is not as noticeable.

Image pixelated_1500.png
 

krs


Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Messages
3,555
Reaction score
610
Points
113
Location
Canada
Yes, Sly. That’s why I prefer to use Save Image As. That way you can choose which format you wish. RAW isn’t an option from the internet as far as I know.

But can choose png or JPEG and with the latter, the quality you want.

How does one chose the format when saving an image from the net using "Save Image As..."
On ElCapitan I don't get to pick a format...it's preselected.

I can change the format after I saved the image, but not before or while saving it.

PS: I just tried it with the image I posted above
The original image was jpeg and that is the only option there was
The image I included in my previous post is png to try to keep as much detail as possible. When I do a "Save Image AS..." on it, the only option I get is .png. No ther choices.
 

IWT


Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
10,218
Reaction score
2,175
Points
113
Location
Born Scotland. Worked all over UK. Live in Wales
Your Mac's Specs
M2 Max Studio Extra, 32GB memory, 4TB, Sonoma 14.4 Apple 5K Retina Studio Monitor
@krs

When I do a "Save Image AS..." on it, the only option I get is .png. No ther choices.

There are two possible explanations:

The first, less likely, is that things have changed between El Capitan and macOS Mojave.

The second might be explained by the fact that 90+% of the images I download are medical and the format is almost always jpeg.

And you are correct, and I am wrong, there is no way of choosing the quality of the jpeg image at the time of original "Save Image As". I thought there was, but mea culpa.

Ian
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top