As we are still getting a lot of images too small to do justice to the subject, may I offer a re-cap?

Suggest posting 1024x768, though even if you post 1280x960 the software will enlarge it into its own window for those with a decent screen. I would not worry too much about copyright issues, though I suggest and offer a 'please don't copy me' stamp that can be placed inconspicuously in an area difficult to clone back out.

I am a mac user and rarely use Photoshop (Elements), but the basic technique is similar in whatever software

(1) crop out anything not needed
(1a) at this stage use 'unsharp' (if needed, ie sharpen, but no more than essential) and possibly adjust 'brightness/contrast', because compression stage and site software dull the colour range
(2) resize the pic to 1024x768 (500x768 for portrait); suggest Lanczos 3 algorithm if available (use answers.com to understand algoriths more)
(3) 'save as' and adjust the % quality to bring below 400kb. You will find some pics need less compression at this stage than others, depends on the variety of colour and tone in the pic. Also greater compression sometimes gives greater clarity, which can be seen in preview window
(4) 'save as' so as to keep original uncompressed for printing and maybe improved post-processing when your technique has improved - 1st class lessons given in Critique Forum!