File size and picture dimensions
 

I have now spent far too much time trying to load pictures into the gallery.

I found instructions that said:
No more than 1024 pixels across longest length
No more than 300 K

I found the photo I wanted to submit and it was too big. Reduced it to 800 on the longest side - got a message saying file size too big.
I went to 600 eventually in order for the gallery to accept it.

In the gallery I see photos with a longest side of:
900 - 291.0 file size
800 - 25.1 file size
1024 - 194 file size
and my own at
600 - 266.6 file size.

As a newby to this stuff I'm completely in the dark. Why the wide range of acceptable numbers? Am I supposed to do something to the photo in addition to changing the size? I have Photoshop Elements 3 on my computer and don't see any file size numbers that look similar to the ones the gallery asks for (mine have lots and lots of digits).

I'd really appreciate a lesson worded for a non computer wise beginner.

Thanks - skwatch

Hi Skywatch,

I regularly upload 1024 x 760 JPG files around about 200mb max. to take account of dial up users.

Are you able to confirm the file is .JPG format.

Don

JPEG compression depends on the detail and complexity of the image. There are also 12 JPEG compression settings. At WPF there is no limit on image dimensions but a 400kB filesize is set.

I suggest 1024px is your maximum longest dimension as people do not want to chase your image around their monitors, this will also limit the file size to approx 400kB. If image is greater than 400kb then when saving choose a lower number (greater compression) and the filesize will reduce.

Enjoy!

skwatch

It appears that you are getting a little confused as there are two sizes to take into consideration.

1. this is the Image size which could be anything up to 1024 pixels on the longest side.

2. File size, this is the actual size in Kb. I normally aim for around 120-150kb. This is achieved by compressing the file.

If you inform us of what software you use we will probably be able to assist you in achieving the necessary file size.


Harry

I think Skwatch is using Elements 3. I compress the file when saving (jpg)
Element 3 will ask you if you want to compress at the point of saving.
Hope this helps.

Much the same as CS2 then

Harry

I use Photoshop Elements 3 to handle my pictures.

The mountain sheep I posted in the gallery originally had JPG at the end of the file#.
It was 1637 wide and 1228 high with a listed file size of 522948.

I reduced the size to get the gallery to accept it.
It then had jpg at the end of the file #.
It was 600 wide and 450 high with the file size listed at 272993.

In the gallery the file size is listed at 266.6.

What is 'compression' is it the process of changing the size on each side or something aditional that I'm supposed to know about?

skwatch - wishing to be something other than 'a bear with little brain'!

skywatch,yes I have the same prob as yourself.I tend to use Picasa as it is so easy for simple editing,I resize to 800 pixels,but then the Gallery here tells me the file size is too big,which means I then have to return to Elements to check and change the file size,but where is the "compression".I do save my images at around 8 for quality,is that the compression?.

When I save a photo there is a pop up box that says JPEG Options - is that what you mean? That is a point where I have always just clicked on ok. However, I see there are choices that can be made instead of just accepting whatever is there already.

I can choose Maximum, High, Medium or Low
and I can select a compression quality setting.

This 'bear of little brain' has no idea what these functions do - or what they are there for. Maybe this is where I'm getting confused and making a mistake?!?

Should have waited to post photos until AFTER I took lessons in Elements 3!!

skwatch

Skwatch
When you come to saving your image a dialog box with a slider on it will appear if you move the slider to the left and look at the bottom of the box you will see the size changing, once you have the right size you can save.

Cool - member #2 in the Beginners Club! Maybe once we've both read and absorbed all the advice here about the things we can/could/should do to our photos we'll be a bit less frustrated and confused.

skwatch

That's it Christine.

It would appear that Elements 3 has a similar "Save As" as Photoshop, Which is a sliding scale of 0-12. The content of the photo will determine the exact setting, but usually around 5-8 on a 1000 pixel image would be somewhere near the mark.

Harry

When I get a shot ready for posting in the gallery I usually do the following:

Image processing: I usually work from an image that I've already processed with the usual 'levels,' 'unsharp mask,' etc.

Re-size: make sure that 'constrain proportions' is 'ticked' as this will automatically keep proportions of the image correct when you re-size one dimension. Then I make sure that 72 pixels per inch is set as the resolution. I keep the maximum width within about 1000 pixels and the height 700 pixels as any larger means that many viewers will have to 'scroll' around the image on their monitors to view it all - this completely ruins the overall effect of the photo!

File-size/compression: I use the 'Save for Web' function (just below 'Save as' in photoshop, etc.). This opens the image in a seperate window and you can use the slider towards the right side whilst checking the file-size under the shot towards the left. The lower the figure you use, the higher the compression (basically, you're throwing out details from the image for file-reducing, but the detail will be 're-invented' when you open it up to view - with varying degrees of faithfulness to the original!). You can get away with surprisingly small file sizes purely for internet viewing. The largest file size in my gallery is about 176kbs whilst the smallest is approx. 44kbs. The larger the image size and the more fine detail (ie. leaves on trees) that it contains the larger the file size will be unless you use more compression. A shot re-sized to 800 pixels wide containing a large area of one colour, such as a clear blue sky, will look fine at about 40kbs.

Bear in mind that many people don't have broadband connections so opening up large files is a time-consuming business on dial-up - if they see that a shot has a file size around 250kbs they'll probably not bother viewing it at all!

thanks,Adey.Will lookout for that box.Pity Picasa does not have the same info,although it does have a save as" small file".Could do a test .Elements is so time consuming,and if ones image only needs a basic crop and tweak,Picasa is so much quicker.I has just takem me 2 hrs!!!,yes 2 hrs to sort out how to re submit a plugin to Elements 4.0 which I prev used in Elements 2.0.No mention was made of the fact that one had to re register,or that one had to turn off and re start the pc before the thing would work.4 times I downloaded and deleted the prog.But success eventually.

Christine, you're making life difficult for yourself if you've gone to the trouble of getting Elements and then not using it! It's a very quick programme (apart from when you first open it up!) if you've only got a few things to do.

Provided that your photo is about right straight from the camera then you've only got a few things to do to it and getting familiar with the settings needed will make it easier still as most of the tools will re-open at the same setting that you used on your last shot

Adey,yes,I have sussed out the basics of 4.0 now,the simple way of bringing a photo into the prog for editing,but the filter I downloaded last night,now does not work.It is there in the prog,but seems to be not connecting,very annoying,and timewasting!!!