Guide
Preview vs original: what did I download?
The gallery viewer shows a fast 2,000 px preview; the download buttons give you the original, byte-for-byte what your photographer uploaded. Here's how to tell them apart — and when each is enough.
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The short answer
When you browse a gallery, you see a 2,000 px preview image. It loads quickly on any connection, whether you are on a phone or a laptop. When you use the download options, you can receive the original file, stored byte-for-byte exactly as your photographer uploaded it.
Use the preview for looking through photos and sharing them in chats or on social feeds. When you plan to print, edit, or archive your photos, make sure to get the full file using original downloads.
Preview vs original at a glance
| Preview (in-gallery) | Original (download) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2,000 px on the long edge | Full camera resolution |
| Format | JPEG (rendered for RAW too) | Exactly what was uploaded: JPEG, PNG or RAW |
| Bytes | Small, quick to load | Several times larger |
| Good for | Browsing, chats, social posts | Printing, editing, archiving |
How to tell which one you have
To see which version you have on your device, check the file's size and pixel dimensions. On Windows, right-click the file, select Properties, and open the Details tab. On a Mac, select the file and press Command-I to open Get Info. On an iPhone, open the Files app, touch and hold the file, and tap Get Info.
A downloaded preview is a JPEG file measuring roughly 2,000 pixels on its long edge, taking up relatively few megabytes. An original file preserves your photographer's full camera resolution and original format, making it several times larger in bytes.
Why previews exist at all
Previews exist to make browsing instant. If a gallery tried to load dozens or hundreds of full-resolution camera files at once, mobile data connections would crawl. Instead, the gallery loads 480 px thumbnails in the grid and 2,000 px JPEG previews in the full viewer. When photographers upload RAW files, the gallery generates a rendered 2,000 px JPEG preview automatically so anyone can view them without needing specialized software.
How to verify a download is exact
If you want to be completely certain that your downloaded file matches what the photographer uploaded, you can check it yourself. Open our free browser tool to compare photo files. It runs a checksum comparison between two files on your device; if the checksums match, your copy is exact down to the byte.
Common questions
Is the preview lower quality?
Yes, because it is a resized JPEG designed for quick viewing. At 2,000 pixels on the long edge, it looks sharp on phones, tablets, and laptops, and works well for online sharing. It simply lacks the pixel density and fine detail required for paper prints or heavy editing.
How do I get the original?
Look for the download actions inside the gallery. Depending on what your photographer turned on, the gallery can offer individual originals, individual JPEGs, a download-all ZIP of originals, or a JPEG ZIP.
My downloaded file won't open — what now?
If your downloaded file has an extension like CR2, NEF, or DNG, you received a RAW camera file. Standard photo viewers on phones and basic computers cannot open these without dedicated editing software. If you run into this issue, check if the gallery offers individual JPEG downloads or a JPEG ZIP instead.
Can I print from the preview?
A preview file might pass for very small physical prints, but it does not have enough pixels for large prints. For anything you plan to frame, gift, or display, always use the original file to keep lines sharp and colors clear.
Reading this as a photographer? You can deliver your own sets with previews and original downloads built in, using shoots.page photo delivery.