I've seen a couple of stock images I'd like to use in my website but I'm unsure of which size to get. For anybody who uses stock images from istockphoto, which size photo do you use in your design for your client's website?
On istockphoto they tell you what the dimensions of each image is. So you can create a static box of the dimensions listed and you'll know right away if it's big enough. It all depends on how you plan on using the image, if it's just going to be a thumbnail, then obviously you won't need a very big image. For average sized images, you might only need "Very Small" or "Small"... So it comes down to the usage.
The question in the title of this thread is different than your opening post question. Resolution for images on the net only needs to be 72. This saves on image file size. As for what size to buy from iStock or any other stock photography place, it depends on what it is going to be used for. If your client wants to use the image for something else as well as on their site, then the largest one that meets that need. You can always reduce the size and resolution for it's placement in the web page.
When I purchase, mostly large ones which can be used standard banner area and those can be resized to smaller as well. But smaller one can't be resized to larger one else loose quality. Other choice, as Gwiz ==^ suggested buy as per your use.
You gotta decide what you are using the image for Print 300ppi, for web 72ppi is sufficient. Determine what actual size in pixels you want your graphic and then find the required size at your stock site.
I don't have a background in graphics or web design. I'm choosing images to incorporate into my own web design which I'll have somebody else do for me. So that's why I ask my question earlier. I don't want to get a image that is too small and I don't want to get an image that is too big like the x-large (from what I saw on iStockphoto) which I'm assuming is good for billboards or other large print projects.
any picture with shortest length more than 500px will do for a website.. but if you want to print it, buy the largest size available with the highest PPI count.. thanks,