Supported by
TECH TIP
How to Convert Photo Files in Bulk
If the thought of saving a huge folder of photo files in a different format makes you tired, perk up. You can do them all at once, and you may not even need expensive software.
Q. I have hundreds of TIFF-formatted photos. Is there an efficient way to convert these photos to JPG all at once?
A. Just as you can rename multiple photos at once through “batch processing,” you can convert a large collection of images from one file format to another in one step. The TIFF format, common in print production, generally makes for much larger file sizes than images stored in the more compressed, web-friendly JPG format.
Popular image-editing programs like those in Adobe’s Photoshop family include commands to convert files from TIFF to JPG, and the program’s help guide should be able to give you specific conversion instructions for your version. But you have plenty of alternatives if you do not use such photo-management software.
The Mac and Windows app stores host several relatively inexpensive utility programs for converting file formats, resizing and optimizing images in a batch. When shopping for a suitable program, read the reviews and make sure the software does everything you want it to do.
On the Mac, the $10 PhotoBulk from Eltima Software does batch jobs and can add watermarks and date stamps to your pictures. Windows users have plenty of programs to browse as well, including the free IrFanView or the $35 Pixillion Plus Image Converter. While a bit more technically demanding, the cross-platform, open-source GIMP software can also handle batch operations.
The Preview program that comes with the Mac operating system also converts image files between formats. To convert a folder of TIFFs, open the folder, select all files and drag the batch onto the Preview icon in the Mac’s desktop dock; you can also right-click on the selected batch and choose Open With Preview.
When all the photos are open in the Preview window’s left pane, press the Command and A keys to select them all. Go to the File menu and choose Export Selected Images. In the Export window, select JPG as the format and adjust the image quality slider as needed. Click the New Folder button in the lower-left corner to create a landing spot for the new files and then chick the blue Choose button to convert copies of the selected files in your chosen format.
Personal Tech invites questions about computer-based technology to techtip@nytimes.com. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually.
J.D. Biersdorfer has been answering technology questions — in print, on the web, in audio and in video — since 1998. She also writes the Sunday Book Review’s “Applied Reading” column on ebooks and literary apps, among other things. More about J. D. Biersdorfer
How to Make Your Smartphone Better
These days, smartphones include tools to help you more easily connect with the people you want to contact — and avoid those you don’t. Here are some tips.
Trying to spend less time on your phone? The “Do Not Disturb” mode can help you set boundaries and signal that it may take you a while to respond.
To comply with recent European regulations, Apple will make a switch to USB-C charging for its iPhones. Here is how to navigate the change.
Photo apps have been using A.I. for years to give you control over the look of your images. Here’s how to take advantage of that.
The loss of your smartphone can be disruptive and stressful. Taking a few simple steps ahead of time can make things easier if disaster strikes.
Many default settings make us share superfluous amounts of data with tech companies. Here’s how to shut those off.
Advertisement