Photos: optimum file size for storage

Question

I have a few questions about what is the best way to manage my photos.
Do I need to put my photos into my iTunes library before I can get them onto my ipod? There is no category called photos, so I'm not quite sure where they will go.
Will the file size be compressed before synching it to the ipod so that only the pixels required for the small screen resolution will be kept, or will photos remain in their full original size, limiting how many I can store?
If it goes on as the full original file,
a) will I be able to connect my ipod to photo kiosks to get prints?
b) what are the minimum dimensions and dpi that will show nicely on the screen so I can manually convert them myself before adding to my library?
I also have a question about album art. I've been able to set my own personal art (eg. family photos) to albums, but I'm not sure if it works for individual songs. As I understand it, these images are compressed and made part of the ID3 tags. Does this take up a significant portion of available memory?

Answer 1

Ian Parkinson wrote:
You don't add your photos to iTunes at all, it does not actually show them in iTunes like it does music.
You can't prepare for the photos transfer before you get the iPod as you will only see the photo setting once the iPod is connected.
Once the iPod is connected there is a new tab in iTunes that lets you select the photos you wan to put on the iPod, basically it lets you select a folder.
I suggest you read the manual here, it explains it all :-
http://manuals.apple.com/manualsList?config=W4N&model=iPodtouchManuals
Ian
Thanks. I didn't realize there was no way to prepare the photos, because it's certainly taken me a long time to prepare the music.
I've been reading the manual, and it does not explain those questions I asked.
+If you’ve set up photo syncing, iTunes automatically copies or updates your photo library (or selected albums) from your computer to iPod touch whenever you connect iPod touch to your computer. iTunes can sync your photos from the following applications:+
+Â On a PC: Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or later or Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0+
+or later+
+For information about syncing iPod touch with photos and other information on your computer, see “Getting Music, Videos, and Other Content onto iPod touch” on page 5.+
+(Page 7)+
+You can sync photos from Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or later or Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 or later on a PC. You can also sync photos from any folder on your computer that contains images.+
It doesn't explain how it's done. How will I tell it which file to grab the photos from? There are four different locations where I am storing photos, and I only want to use one. It also does not mention whether the photos will remain in original format and whether they'll be readable at photo kiosks.
I hope that when I get the ipod it will be more clear.
Thanks for you help.
Any other advice?
Message was edited by: guava1973