Why does my uploaded photo appear blurry on the website?

Why Your Photo May Appear Blurry After Uploading

 If a photo looks clear on your device, but appears blurry after uploading it, this is usually due to image size, resolution, or formatting limitations. Below are the top three reasons this happens and how you can prevent or correct it.

1. Low Image Resolution

 Photos with a low resolution do not contain enough detail to display clearly, especially when stretched to fit larger sections of a website. We do not have the aoftware to improve photo quality.

How to prevent or fix this:

• When uploading photos, keep the image orientation in mind. Portrait-style photos work best in framed sections, while landscape-style photos are better for images that stretch across the screen. Choosing the right orientation helps the image fit the space with less resizing and distortion.

• Avoid screenshots or images saved from social media, as these are often compressed.

• If possible, upload the original photo directly from the photographer or camera.

2. Image Compression During Upload

 To improve site performance, many platforms automatically compress images when they are uploaded. This can reduce file size but may also reduce image clarity.

How to prevent or fix this:

• Start with a high-quality image so compression has less impact. Don't screenshot images from social media as this are already compressed and once shared will only decrease in quality the further it is compressed. 

• Avoid editing and uploading the same image multiple times, as repeated compression can worsen quality. 

• Use common file formats like JPG or PNG, which are optimized for web use. 

  Some photo file types can be harder to open because they require specific software or are not widely supported. Common examples include:

  • RAW files like .CR2, .NEF, .ARW, and .DNG, which come directly from cameras and often need photo editing software.

  • HEIC or HEIF files, commonly used on iPhones, which may not open easily on older devices or non-Apple systems.

  • TIFF (.tif) files, which are high quality but large and not always supported by basic image viewers.

  • PSD files, which are Photoshop project files and require Adobe Photoshop to open.

  If you’re having trouble opening one of these files, converting them to JPG or PNG usually makes them easier to use.

3. Image Scaling or Cropping Issues

 If an image is uploaded in the wrong dimensions, the system may stretch or crop it to fit the layout, which can cause blurriness.

How to prevent or fix this:

• Upload images that match the recommended size and orientation for each section.

• Avoid stretching small images to fill large areas or shrinking large images to fit smaller spaces, as this can affect image quality.

• If cropping is required, crop the image before uploading. Our system will auto center your photo, but cannot correct the quality of a photo.