Picture size setting

[Shooter7]

When you're taking pictures, how important is the size setting on your camera when you're taking the picture? For example, I usually size my pictures to 640x480 on Photobucket when I'm going to post them here on RC. Should I take the photo in that size in the first place, or does taking it in that size affect the picture quality at all? Does taking it at a bigger size, then shrinking it make it worse or better?

What about day to day shots of the family or whatever? What's a good size to shoot at if you're planning on having 3x5 type prints made of them?

thanks

[breutus]

well anytime that it is going to be printed out I shoot at the highest level it puts more pixels per inch so the image will be sharper with less artifacts, but it is total preference if they're not going to be printed out. depending on what your post processing is sizing down to 640 x480 is very different sizes in LR that would only be a 2x3 inch jpeg while in CS3 or paint shop that would be like a 5x7 becasue it puts less pxels per inch

[jeffbrig]

I would always recommend shooting at the largest size and highest quality available in the camera. You can always resize down later without losing anything, but it doesn't work the other direction. Often times you'll find that the camera's compression software is rougher than what you can get in photoshop or another good photo editing package.

[Shooter7]

thanks guys