overriding php.ini settings

I need to increase php settings to accommodate printing service type products we offer in our store. Customers will upload the files they want printed.

I can surely go the easy route and ask my host to increase the settings globally to the following:

upload_max_filesize = 100M
post_max_size = 100M
upload_tmp_dir = 200M
max_execution_time = 20000
max_input_time = 20000

BUT......does that mean that every php session that is initialized allocates these space resources even though they may not be used? All of our apps are php based including our gallery and forums.

So is it a better choice to instead put php.ini files in the directories in zencart to take affect for the specific upload function?

If so, I'm having a horrible time coming up with the right directory/directories to put this custom php.ini and have the settings take affect for file upload attributes for products (cuz I already tried). I put it in the dir where upload.php which is /shop/includes/classes.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!!! :cool: