Sorry to start with what is I am sure a really basic question but how do I reduce the file size of my pictures so I can post them here? Mine are all to big but I cannot seem to find how to reduce them. I am only a beginner so treat me like a fool. Also if I do learn how to reduce them will I lose quality? Thanks in advance.
Welcome to NPN, Mark!
What imaging software are you using? If you have a digital camera, chances are it came with something like Photoshop Elements or other program that can be used to edit and resize images.
By reducing the size you are throwing away information so yes, you will lose quality but remember this is just a web image and most of this quality won't come into play anyway. Make sure to retain your original "master" file for other uses (e.g. printing).
Mark - There are two things you have to do in Photoshop to post an image : Shrink the size to 720 pixels on the longest edge, and save the file as a jpg with a size less than 200 kB.
The first part can be done with Image->Image Size. The second can be done when saving the file as a JPG and adjusting the quality, or by using the File->Save For Web feature. Here is an article with a lot more detail, as well as other things like sharpening after resizing, assigning sRGB, etc.
Discussion
4 repliesWhat imaging software are you using? If you have a digital camera, chances are it came with something like Photoshop Elements or other program that can be used to edit and resize images.
By reducing the size you are throwing away information so yes, you will lose quality but remember this is just a web image and most of this quality won't come into play anyway. Make sure to retain your original "master" file for other uses (e.g. printing).
Guy
The first part can be done with Image->Image Size. The second can be done when saving the file as a JPG and adjusting the quality, or by using the File->Save For Web feature. Here is an article with a lot more detail, as well as other things like sharpening after resizing, assigning sRGB, etc.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles1002/mh1002-1.html