How to Upload Better Images to this Forum!

[Speenth]

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I am still relatively new to the digital era and, as if to illustrate my limited understanding of this medium, I am doing something wrong when resizing my images for posting on this forum.

 

No matter what I try, I cannot make a jpg image with the forum-specified 900 pixel long edge come even close to the forum maximum of 244Kb (its usually of the order of 450Kb or more). The dpi setting makes no difference either.

 

The technical quality of other members' images posted on this forum is routinely superior to my own uploads, thus it is clear I'm doing something wrong - but what?

 

I've taken the liberty of pinching and reposting a recently uploaded image by John Dobson (I hope he won't mind in the circumstances) for comparion against one of my own (of similar filesize). Mine is the bicycle. The original is stunningly sharp and richly hued.

 

I'd be grateful for advice. I suspect it may be advice that improves my general understanding of the technical attributes of digital images ...

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[Guest WPalank]

Speenth,

You did not mention which software you use for the above procedure. Here is how I do it with CS3. Virtually the same in CS2.

 

Your image is open and you have done everything besides final sharpening. That should always be done right after you have resized the image and decided it is for the web.

 

Go to Image> Image Size and put in the longest dimension in the correct box (width or height) and make sure the little drop-down menu says "pixels". (See my first image below. ) Also, make sure "Bicubic Sharper" is selected in the lowest dropdown menu when making the image smaller. Hit OK. If the image becomes really small just go to the tool bar and double click on the magnifying glass tool and your image will automatically resize to 100% Now do final or output sharpening.

 

Next go to File > Save for web and devices. Go to the the little arrow I have circled (Second Image below) and you will get a flyout menu as is illustrated. First make sure "Convert to sRGB is checked (as illustrated below). Then select "optimize to file size" and you will get a dialogue box where you simply put in the number 235 (a bit below the forums 240 KB maximum just to make sure). Hit OK and then Save. You will get a dialogue box asking you where to save the new Forum jpeg. Your new jpeg will be in sRGB (best for web) and 72 ppi automatically.

 

Note: Many Forum members will tell you to fool with slider until you get around 79 quality. Why? By putting in 235 in the above box Photoshop will automatically select the absolute highest quality for your image possible.

Now all you have to do is upload (make sure you remember where you saved the jpeg.

Hope this helps!

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[jaapv]

Or, if you want to retain maximum quality, upload your image to a (free) webalbum, like Photobucket or similar and link to the URL of your image using the little icon with the mountains over your posting box.

Btw. the DPI setting is indeed irrelevant; only the number of pixels counts. The DPI setting comes into play when you are printing.

[rob_x2004]

Jaap all it takes is one goon to link a few five hundred, nine hundred k images to really stop a thread. Might be ok for you city guys, I am on DSL but in hte country and it still stuggles sometimes. Good luck for those with dial up.

 

There are some peoples images I no longer bother to try open, and there are those I see that take forever to dl I just quit on. Theres nothing wrong with the 240k limit on the pixel dimensions allowed in the forum. You dont really see a quality difference if you edit them right anyway.

 

Run with Williams suggestion.

[Speenth]

Speenth,

You did not mention which software you use for the above procedure ... Here is how I do it with CS3.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Hi' William,

 

Thanks for this thorough explanation. As you can see from the attached image, your clear instructions were very helpful indeed. I use Photoshop too, but currently its the 'Elements' version only. In my version I couldn't find a means to select sRGB, but otherwise, for this purpose at least, 'Elements' appears to function the same as CS3.

 

My thanks too, to Jaap, for his explanation of the effect (or lack thereof) of making adjustments to the dpi setting.

 

Steve'

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[andybarton]

Jaap all it takes is one goon to link a few five hundred, nine hundred k images to really stop a thread. Might be ok for you city guys, I am on DSL but in hte country and it still stuggles sometimes. Good luck for those with dial up.

 

There are some peoples images I no longer bother to try open, and there are those I see that take forever to dl I just quit on. Theres nothing wrong with the 240k limit on the pixel dimensions allowed in the forum. You dont really see a quality difference if you edit them right anyway.

 

Run with Williams suggestion.

 

Agreed, Rob.

 

The 240k size was chosen to provide a good forum browsing experience for everyone. This is why photos are not allowed in any thread other than the Photo forum (unless there are exceptional reasons, such as this one). It makes it better for everyone.

[jaapv]

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OK, I'll behave. I usually am at about 400 kB anyway, so no show-stopping 900-s:)

I might add that even my cellphone can handle my gallery at DPI, which only has full-size jpegs at 500 and more, so it can't be too bad.

[osscat]

Hi' William,

 

"I use Photoshop too, but currently its the 'Elements' version only. In my version I couldn't find a means to select sRGB, but otherwise, for this purpose at least, 'Elements' appears to function the same as CS3."

 

 

Steve'

 

Hi Steve,

 

The Elements 'Save for Web' converts your image to sRGB I believe.

 

If you want to expand the versatility of the Elements programme take a look at this website:

 

The Photoshop Elements Hidden Power Site for Adobe Photoshop Elements 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1

 

There is a book which comes with a CD to expand the functionality of Elements - I used it on Elements 3 for Mac and it made a big difference.

 

Osscat

[Speenth]

Hi Steve,

 

The Elements 'Save for Web' converts your image to sRGB I believe.

 

If you want to expand the versatility of the Elements programme take a look at this website:

 

The Photoshop Elements Hidden Power Site for Adobe Photoshop Elements 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1

 

There is a book which comes with a CD to expand the functionality of Elements - I used it on Elements 3 for Mac and it made a big difference.

 

Osscat

 

Hi' Osscat,

 

Thanks for the tip on sRGB and for the link to a very interesting resource. My biggest problem right now is finding the time to develop my competence with all these digital wonders. There are times when I hanker after plain old film once more ......

[NZDavid]

Hmm, why does digital technology have to be so damned complex and off putting? I use Graphic Converter for Macs, not exactly basic software, but very straightforward once you get the hang of it and very good value -- especially compared with the cost of Photoshop. (see Lemke Software - Mac Fotobearbeitung, Mac Diashow, Mac Grafikprogramm, Mac Bildbetrachter for details.)

 

I have no idea why those pictures load differently. One is Welsh, the other German -- both languages have incrediblylongwordsallwrittentogether.