need basic PS help

I would like to post some pics from my D70, but my PS files are way too large. Can anyone give me step-by- step help in resizing for web use? I am a PS newbie.

Thanks. Joe.

Go to image/image size... and select a width or height in pixels and make sure that Constrain Proportions (bottom) is selected, press ok.

The max you can post is 640x640 so I just choose the largest side (width if is horizontal / Height if its Vertical) and insert 640 for that side ( i use PS elements) and it automatically does it for me.

Yes (if that's a question :) ). Just choose up to 640 for the long side. I usually do 600 which is still pretty big, works out to 400x600 on a DSLR which has a 2:3 ratio. Don't forget, there's always Edit > Undo in Photoshop.

How about image quality? I shoot in jpeg fine. When I resize and save the new file, should I also change the quality? maybe I am asking this poorly. My goal is to present an image that is easy for all to view with normal load times, while retaining the best quality possible.

Thanks again for all your help. Joe.

JPEG - Fine can give you a very high quality original file. Do what Elysian said and pick anywhere from 500 to 640 on the long dimension. Save this image to a different spot (I use my desktop for this), using Save As. If you just Save, you lost the original file! Another good reason for backups...

Once you click on Save As, the normal window will come up asking where you want to save it, file name, etc. You can keep the file name the same since you're saving it to a different place (i.e. desktop). After you click OK on this window, another window will come up asking you what quality to save it at. Maximum level is 12, but if you use 8 you won't be able to see a difference for this application.

By using a lower quality level, you reduce the file size. The trick is not to reduce it to a point that is noticable. Try changing it to a low number (like 2) and you'll see what to look for. Any higher quality setting for this is just wasted file size (for web use, IMHO).

It's better not to use the "Save As" option, but the "Save for Web" instead, that's what it's made for, because you'll have a preview window, a indication as how big the file will be and some other options you might want to use.

A good balance between quality and size is "Jpeg High"; you can select it in the Save for Web preview window in the box labeled "Preset:".
(Bring down the number in the box that reads "Quality" if the file is still too large and check the preview)

Also, when you go up in quality, your file size goes up... and PR requirements are something like 192.kbs ( i think maybe 194) I have it written down at home, but if you choose preview it will tell you your file size ( if you are doing save as, not sure if it does it under save for web... ) If you watch your height and width ( in pixels) and your file size - you will be able to upload photos much faster, as files that are too large freeze the uploading process up, not to mention its a pain in the keister.

Not sure if anyone gave you this piece of info:

In photoshop, under the IMAGE menu, go to IMAGE SIZE. Make sure the units are on PIXELS, then highlight the biggest number and make it 640 (or less). Make sure the number underneath also changes proportionately.

Then what I do is go to SAVE FOR WEB, which won't let you overwrite the original, and also automatically wants to save as jpeg. Then I look at the number underneath the picture, and if it's larger than 150k (at 56k/sec), I'll bring down the JPEG quality number to get it right around 125k or less. I find that's pretty good quality and still loads quickly.

IF my image has large areas of solid color, for instance, Black, then I'll probably make it a bit bigger (better quality, 85% or higher) so that the blacks don't clump into ugly large pixels, making the solid areas look like a game of Tetris.

Thanks to everyone for thier help. Joe