best way to reduce image file size....

I process my images from Raw into Photoshop, once all pp work (bar sharpening) has been done, I resize to 12" x 8" @ 72 dpi (or slightly smaller if I crop for effect), I then use an unsharp mask setting of 100 @ 0.6 pixels (seems to work for me) for most images and then save as a jpg. I then upload to photobucket (with the automatic settings set for 800x600 pixels) and Bobs your auntie.

Be interested to see what others do!
 
Depends what you want as a file size. I normally save mine as 800 x ??? pixel jpeg once I've cropped and edited the original image and that usually come out around 300k - 500k per image depending on your quality setting you use (save mine at photobucket, or flickr), you can also used "Save to Web" option on your software, but never really used that.
 
- Fully edit except sharpening
- Resize image, 600px longest side on portrait shots, 800px longest side landscape
- USM the resized image
- Add watermark
- Flatten layers
- Save As JPEG, 9/12 image quality
- Usually gives me a 120kb file.
 
fabs said:
What editing software do you use stan? In PS/Elements, if you use image>resize image the when you save it as jpeg you can use the resulting slider to alter the image size. Or is this not what you're asking?
Click to expand...

hi marc..using CS3.basically,i want to reduse an image file to a small enough size so it can be posted on the web/websites that have a small-ish max size..if that makes any sense.whenever i post shots on here via photobucket,they come within the permitted size,but when i post elsewhere,they exceed the file size,so need reducing..

hope this makes sense

thicko of south wales :bonk:
 
Image > image size.

Interpolate using Bicubic Sharper.

Set your max dimensions in pixels (eg 800x800 it will obviously stop when it hits one or the other depending on orientation of the photo).

DPI doesn't matter, has zero effect.

Then figure out what quality JPEG is going to work. (I always find PS estimate filesizes to be much smaller than the actual size once exported).

P.S. general best practice now seems to be sharpen at 100% and again after resizing.. I don't always bother though, depending on the file.
 
I have export presets set up in Lightroom to output at various sizes for different needs. The main sizes are 800x800 for forums and sharing or 1920x1080 for display on my HDTV. I do not print. Output sharpening is completed as part of the resize/export process.

I also use an export plugin that resizes, sharpens and uploads directly to my "Forums" album on Picasaweb at 800x800 or whatever image dimensions fit within those limits.
 
stan the man said:
i want to reduse an image file to a small enough size
Click to expand...

As already said, use 'save for web'. It strips all the exif and the preview to create the smallest size. After that, it's a question of how much jpeg compression you can get away with, and that will depend on the image.
 
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