File Size

[JRGloeckler]

What is the best setup file size for email of a photo using a modem? I have DSL and some of my friends can't handle the size through their dial up connections.
Thanks for your reply.
Jerry

[MikeH]

Hi...

I would use the "Save For Web" option (under File in Editor). Under New Size, set the maximum pixels to between 500 and 700. Don't forget to click "Apply".

To see how long it will take to download on a modem, click the arrow at the top right hand corner of the right hand image and from the menu select the connection speed (e.g. 56.6 kps Modem). Then under the right hand image you will see how long it will take to download e.g. "15 secs @ 56.6 kps".

Hope this helps...

Mike

[Chuck S.]

Jerry, you'll get lots of opinions on this. I think 100 kb or thereabouts is a nice size that should take a reasonable amount of time to download on a dial-up connection.

But file size is not the only consideration. You might also want to reduce the pixel dimensions. Depending on your camera, you might have as much as 2400 pixels on a side. The most recommended sizes for photos in the 'normal' length to width ratio of digital cameras (4:3) are 1024 pixels by 768 pixels or 800 pixels by 600 pixels. Both sizes view very nicely on most monitors.

You can set both the pixel dimensions and the file size in the Save for Web dialog. Have you become familiar with that yet?

Chuck

[bwolford]

Genrally, you can save the file with a resolution of 72 pixels per inch for email distribution.

Having said that, the easiest way in PSE to shrink an image for email distribution is to use the Save for Web option in the editor. Pick Gif or JPG. I use JPG for email. Some prefer GIF. Let's assume you use JPG. Set the quality of the picture to High or Very High and adjust the size of the image so the largest dimension is around 640 pixels. That should give you a fairly decent size image at good enough quality for display via email. If they need to print it, the quality will not be that great, but the file size should be reduced to 10 of KB instead of MBs.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6195/resize2kl.jpg

Brice