Resizing for web use?

[JKeena]

I'm in the middle of remaking my online portfolio and was curious as to the best way to resize my photos? I'm planning on making any 35mm shots 4x6 in. and medium format shots 4x4 in., or is that too small?

Anyways, exactly how would I go about taking a full size TIFF and making it something I could work with that wouldn't lose it's sharpness?

Thanks you very much for your help! - Justin



P.S. ON a side note, how would I resize an image to under 500kb for posting on forums without losing sharpness? Thanks!

[mtbbrian]

I don't know what program you are using, but I use PS CS2, and it there is an option, under file that is called "Save For Web".
On my site, I size most pics to no more than 600 pixels, but on some occasions I'll go either 640 or 700 or the longest size. This will save them as a jpeg.
I also keep the files size to as close as 100kb as possible, but I do have several in the teens and 20's, but I also have several that are in the 70 to 80kb range so it evens out.
I don't see any sharpness loss.
My thought is to keep the download time and bandwidth as small as possible.
I hope this helps!
Brian

[another view]

I use PS CS. It's not on this computer so based on memory (uh oh...) the commands are Image > Resize, and then change the longer of the two dimensions to 600 pixels. If you're using a DSLR the other side will be 400. For square shots of course change one to 400 and the other should match it. From here, I "Save As" to a folder or desktop and use a compression of 8 for web use. I don't have any problems with sharpness doing it this way. I think this is how most people here are doing it - print files are one thing but online copies are different. I'd do it the same whether it was for a forum or an online portfolio.

Start with your finished TIFF file but you may want to add a little unsharp masking to these online versions - see what you think first and this should be the last step before the "Save As". Also - if you're in 16 bit mode with your TIFF files, you'll have to change to 8 bit mode before saving as a jpeg.

Let us know how it goes!

[JKeena]

I'm using PS CS2. I'll try the "web jpegs" tool and let you know how it goes.

AV - A compression of 8 doesn't kill the sharpness? Think saving at 12 is too big for website use?

Thanks for the help!

-Justin

[mtbbrian]

Think saving at 12 is too big for website use?

-Justin

Yes!
You should be thinking the lowest common denominator here, keep in mind some people are still stuck in "dial up hell!" Think download times.
Keep file sizes to around 100kb and people will be more likely to look at your site. Think kb's and not mb's.
This is only a website and not a final print.
Good Luck!
Brian
:thumbsup:

[JKeena]

Yes!
You should be thinking the lowest common denominator here, keep in mind some people are still stuck in "dial up hell!" Think download times.
Keep file sizes to around 100kb and people will be more likely to look at your site. Think kb's and not mb's.
This is only a website and not a final print.
Good Luck!
Brian
:thumbsup:

Very true. I'll give it a go and let you know how it works out. Actually, if it does work out I'll just be able to SHOW you. haha.

Thanks again! -Justin