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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> How do I reduce the file size of the image to 150K
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06/11/2004 12:18:02 PM · #1
I recently submitted a photo. I changed the image size in Photoshop because the file was too large to submit. But, the image that I submitted came out too small. I'd like to know how to get the right file size without the image becoming so small. Everyone that commented said the image was too small to judge. Any help would be appreciated. The only software I have is Photoshop 6.0.
06/11/2004 12:18:50 PM · #2
If you do Save for Web you can compress a larger photo until it is <150k. That way you don't have to shrink the image.
06/11/2004 12:21:58 PM · #3
thanks so much - I'll try that for the next challenge :)
06/11/2004 12:36:02 PM · #4
I use Irfanview it's shareware and easy to reduce size and save
06/11/2004 02:22:47 PM · #5
I find the best way to do it is in the save for web, then maximise the size to get 640 pixels on at least one side ( square 640 X 640 shots look really big )and then slide the quality down to get well below the 150k mark, then sharpen it with USM, which will bring up the crispness and the size. No matter how good the shot, if it is small and dulled by compression, it will not score well.
06/11/2004 03:31:32 PM · #6
I use PS 7, but the same in 5.5 or 6, etc
crop or resize to the final size you want in pixles - the longest side should be about 600-640 pixels.
SaveAs and choose a name and JPG. A window will pop up asking for a quality or compression size. On a scale of 1-12, stay above 8. This will work for about 98% of thie pics you take.

Before saving, the last thing to do is UnSharp mask.

chris
06/11/2004 04:56:57 PM · #7
Originally posted by bestagents:

Before saving, the last thing to do is UnSharp mask.

chris

Note that applying sharpening will increase the JPEG file size ... if you go just over 150k try re-sharpening with a slightly lower % setting and smaller diameter and try it again.
06/11/2004 05:16:24 PM · #8
My workflow (for Photoshop CS) is as follows. Following these steps will provide a high-quality, DPC-compliant JPEG. And since the JPEG size is determined after all editing/resizing is completed (including adding any USM), you don't have to worry about "going over"...

- Make a copy of your "camera original"
- Open the copy of the photo
- Process it as desired/permitted, including any cropping
- Save your edited, full-resolution copy for possible use as a "print" later
- Select Image > Image Size...
- Make sure "Resample Image" is checked, and either "Bicubic", "Bicubic Sharper" or "Bicubic Smoother" is selected, depending on which looks "better" (sometimes I'll duplicate the window before the resize and visually compare these three slightly different resampling algorithms)
- In the "Pixel Dimensions" section at the top, enter "640" in either the "Width" or "Height" (depending if it is landscape or portrait). The other value will adjust automatically (assuming you have "Constrain Proportions" checked, which you should)
- Note: Don't worry about the value in the "Resolution" box; it is irrelavant for web content
- Click "OK"
- Apply a light touch of Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mark... (if needed, easy to go overboard with sharpening)
- Choose Image > Mode > Convert to profile...
- If the Source Space is not "sRGB", set the Destination Space to "sRGB" and click "OK" to avoid any "color shifts" after being uploaded to DPC
- Choose File > Save for Web...
- Make sure "JPEG" is selected as the format, that the "Progressive" and "ICC Profile" boxes are not checked, and "Blur" is 0
- Click the little "arrow in a circle" on the right-hand side (the "Optimize Menu", next to the Preset drop-down menu) and choose Optimize to File Size...
- Enter "147" in the "Desired File Size" box
- Click "OK". (Notice that the "Quality" setting has been automatically adjusted to get you as close to 147K as possible.)
- Click "Save" and give it a name
- Upload that saved file to DPC

Using Photoshops's regular File > Save As... to create your DPC submissions adds a LOT of extra (invisible) "stuff" to the file, which takes up part of your 150K (much better to use all 150K for actual image data). "Save For Web..." optimizes the image content without any extra "stuff".

Message edited by author 2004-06-11 17:26:11.
06/16/2004 02:57:31 PM · #9
thank you all for your time in answering! I have been practicing for the next challenge. I really appreciate all the help everyone on this site gives. :)
Kelli
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