File size...

[CedarBough]

The photo file size is driving me nuts. All these shots I'd like to share, but if I reduce the file size to 150 they start to look so crappy, I'd be emberassed to post them with my real name.

[BobTrips]

What are you starting with? (Pixel dimensions, file size)

What technique (software/settings) are you using to reduce?

What platform (PC/Mac) are you using?

[adam]

"if I reduce the file size to 150 they start to look so crappy"

OK, I have increased the maximum size to 200 kilobytes.

[CedarBough]

Adam, I love you! -->KISS<--

As for how I am starting, I am using PShop to reduce my shots to 600x400 for verticals (horizontals are a bit larger, as screens are larger in that direction). They are saved at 150dpi and I save at the quality level of 10 out of 12. This works for simple shots... like a sunset where most of the shot is just a gradation of color. Those might end up like 100kb, but when it's a street scene (many colors and textures) then suddenly something saved at the same exact settings can be as high as 300kb, and if reduce those shots to 150, they definitely look bad (using the preview button allows me to see the difference).

[adam]

"I save at the quality level of 10 out of 12"

I'm not sure which version you are using, but have you tried 'Save for Web...'? This might allow for a smaller file size. And it's the only way to view an image preview, (at least on PS 7).

[philip_coggan]

Cedar: Like Adam says, make sure you use Save For Web. I don't know what you're using, but I use SFW and it doesn't ask me the same questions that your software apparently asks you.

More generally, I save at a size 645 pixels on the longest side, whether that be the vertical or the horizontal. The shorter side is always 430. This is because I keep a ration of 1:1.5. In theory, a ration of 1:1.618 should be better, that being the Golden Section, but 1:1.5 is the ration used for 35mm slides.

I save at 150K or less for Trekearth and 360K or less for P/sig. I honestly can't see any appreciable difference in quality between the two.