Image size reduction

[astroturf]

Hello all

Recently I have tried to upload images to this & other sites only to have them knocked back by those site servers

Is there an easy way to reduce them in size to say under 200kb?

I have a 40d & naturally take shots to the camera's highest capability otherwise it defeats the purpose of having it

Cheers
Bryan

[iceman]

Hi Bryan
Do you take them in RAW or large jpeg?

[acropolite]

The easiest way if you're using XP, is to use the image resizer powertoy available as a free download from microsoft. It installs as part of the explorer shell and allows resizing of images (single or multiple) with a couple of mouse clicks from an explorer window. No application to load, just find the file/s right click and select the size from the popup.

[astroturf]

Thanks guys

Mike, I usually take images in RAW but at the time I want to post them I have processed them to JPEG format

Phil ,I'm looking for that program now

Cheers
Bryan

[dannat]

you might also try xnview and irfanview - both free on the web

[astroturf]

Thanks Daniel

I have xnview installed but I cant find anything on resizing
could you give me a couple of pointers?

Cheers
Bryan

[dannat]

I have the mac version - under image tab - go to resize, The quickst program I have used I think is called rapidoresizer - not sure if its mac only - drag you photos onto it and select the size, its done

[iceman]

Do you have photoshop?

[astroturf]

No, not as yet, thats part of the next round of purchases
is there any particular version you would recommend

Bryan

[RB]

Bryan if you get PS get the latest (CS3) which will support your 40D raw files.
The older versions can't open 40D raws.

If you have installed DPP (Digital Photo Professional) the software that came with the 40D, you can use it to reduce your files.
Let me know if you've installed it and I can post a short guide here.

[Matty P]

Hi Bryan,

I would recommend the latest version Photoshop CS3. It's a great program for post processing your images.

:thumbsup:

[astroturf]

Andrew & Matty

CS3 is definitely on the cards sometime quite soon(birthday maybe)

I'm looking at DPP as we speak & I'm guessing it's possibly in "preferences"
I wouldn't mind if you posted a short guide, that would be a great help

Cheers
Bryan

[iceman]

Basically you just want to resize it to about 800 or 1000px wide, then you need to save it as jpeg and with minimal compression you'll be able to get it under 200kb.

The "save for web" feature in Photoshop is the best!

[RB]

OK Bryan,

Open DPP and click on the photo you want to convert.

Under 'File' menu choose 'Convert and Save' or press Ctrl-D

When the new window opens go down and tick 'Resize' and type in a value around 800 pixels for width (the height will adjust automatically if the aspect ratio is locked/ticked).

Midway up there's the Image quality setting slider, try setting it at around 5 or so.

Now you can save your image (select .jpg as your file type).
I usually save it in a separate folder to the one that my RAWs are stored.

To upload to the IIS server you need to have the file less than 200kb.

Hope this helps.

[astroturf]

Thanks Andrew

I've got that sorted now, pretty simple really
one last question, Is that a "save as file" i.e. do I still have the original in it's pre- resized state

cheers
Bryan

[RB]

Yep when you "save as" it creates a separate file and leaves the original untouched.

That's also the reason why I like keeping the RAW files separate to my other files.
They are the equivalent of a 'negative' in film terms.

Also as your processing skills increase you can go back to your RAW files and reprocess them to your hearts content.