How to make iPad wallpapers, wallpaper resolution size for iPad

How to make iPad wallpapers to suit both horizontal and vertical dimensions

Even if you don’t yet own an iPad, creating wallpapers for those who do, is a great way for getting a portfolio of photographs noticed. As most users are aware by now, the iPad has a 1024 x 768 pixel screen. However, since it can be used horizontally as well as vertically, this also changes the vertical and horizontal dimensions to 1024×768 or 768×1024 respectively.

Horizontal display 1024x768

Vertical display 768x1024

The Problem with two orientations

If you’ve ever tried to use a 1024 x 768 pixel image for your iPad wallpaper, you’d have noticed when you hold it vertically it will cut the photo off on both sides. There will also be ample space at the top and bottom as it won’t stretch to cover the whole screen vertically either.

The solution for cropping photographs to suit both horizontal and vertical orientations of your iPad

If you create a 1024×1024 image in your photo editor, it will be automatically cropped to 768×1024 or 1024×768, depending on the orientation of your iPad. Yes, that’s right, it needs to be a square image. But keep in mind there will always be some parts of the image that will never be seen, depending on how the user holds their iPad.

Therefore, the safe area for the main part of the subject to sit, is within the middle 768×768 as noted by the two images shown at the start of this post. Furthermore, I’ve been careful to place the cheetah’s eye / head within this 768×768 area so it stays the main focus when the iPad is being held in either orientation.

Download a free cheetah iPad wallpaper

Click the image below to load the full size wallpaper, then save to your iPad. If you’re reading this from an RSS feed or iPad application that doesn’t allow you to load the full resolution, copy and paste this URL to your Safari browser: http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/images/cheetah-iPad-wallpaper.jpg

Cheetah photograph copywrite John Hodgkin at Funtours Travel Blog, used with permission.