RJ and everyone else: ??? uploading images

[cocodel1st]

Good Morning everyone. I have a dumb question:oops: Would you please help me with figuring out the best way to upload images for critique. I did one last night in the People section, but since I compressed for webposting (was in the progress to share some images with my son who is serving on the Harry Truman) the image is really dull, which it isn't in reality. Anyone else experiencing that? What resolution are you guys using? Are you resizing?
RJ you are doing great with this, I could use your help. Time for me to learn something new;)

[AFCop]

What I do is take care of any post processing (contrast, color adjustments, etc.) prior to resizing. Then, resize to 800 pixels on the long side. Then, save as .jpg using minimal compression but keeping the file size under 100k. Of course you're going to lose a bit of the clarity and sharpness when you resize and compress, but as long as you keep it minimal, you should still be able to tell the good shots from those that aren't so good.

Hope this helps!

[cocodel1st]

Thank You so much. Though I am familiar with film, the digital end and posting is still rather new to me. Just got my 20D a couple weeks ago. So all just bear with me please as I am experiencing my learning curve.

[AFCop]

Thank You so much. Though I am familiar with film, the digital end and posting is still rather new to me. Just got my 20D a couple weeks ago. So all just bear with me please as I am experiencing my learning curve.

Hey, we all have to start somewhere. I am by no means an expert at this stuff, but by posting here and reading the different comments and threads, I am definitely learning and improving my skills. Just keep shooting, posting and don't let any negative critiques get you down. Just take the advice of the folks on this forum and try to put some of their ideas to use. You'll find most everyone here very helpful. Also, read through the information threads as well as the photo sharing threads. There's a whole lot of useful info there.

Keep shooting and posting!:D

[RJSorensen]

Gosh I almost missed this . . . the 20D sent me in for a loop. My G2, G3, G5 & Pro 1 all save to my hard drive at 180 pixel/inch. The 20D and perhaps the other DSLR's seem to save the the HD at 72 pixel/inch. 72 is ok for viewing on screen, though many use up to 100 pixel/inch. Our family has a copy of Photoshop CS, I use it to shrink the file size to 800 pixel/inch on the long side per the forum guidelines, and as AFC has noted above. ImageReady (part of PS) is how I compress the images. It has a box that lets you try numbers from 0-100% and somewhere in there you will get a reading under the required 100K limit. In truth it won't take a full 100K file, lol, they must be 99K or under.

I down load, crop (most of my posts are crops at near 100%) try to fix any color or color casts that bother me, I guess this is where you would or should clone out things, figure out if it needs sharpening or not, (I think sharping or USM should be done last) then 'size' them to 800 x whatever it is and then compress to under 100K.

My files are a lot duller on the web than at home . . . I get a lot of 50% or greater compression percentages. Sometimes they are as low as 13% of the original . . . makes me cry, almost. But that is what we have to do, and I think 100K to be generous file size at that. I think that some folks sharpen again at this time, the resizing seems to take the 'edge' off. But I do not and have no experience here. Perhaps I will try this and see. I do not care for over-sharpened photos, but many seem to fall into this. To me this is where the word "Digital" comes into play and as a bad word. At least in my thoughts.

I am very basic in all things, lucky to be on line at all, lol. I have good kids that have helped me along. They are Photoshop whizzes and such. I find it easier to just take the best photo I can, than to try to 'fix' it in PS. I am not sure if this is what you were after or not, there are many here far better than I, I can assure you. Let us know and someone will help, most are very kind and generous with their talent and or time.

[BoySpot]

I put my first shots up the other day and was disappointed with them. The originals were in AdboeRGB. Should I have reverted them to sRGB or is that not a big deal?

[RJSorensen]

As best that I know and understand sRGB is the language of the web, lowest common denominator, etc. et al. So I think if you are using Adobe RGB 1998 you should change them for the best look on the web. Even if it is worse . . . lol. You know what I mean.

I was using ARGB1998 and changed everything back, camera included for an easier work flow for me at this time. Someday I/we the web will sort all of this out in a easy way for all the cameras, computers, printers and the web.

[cocodel1st]

Thank You so very much guys. I took your advise. Take a look at the new threat on Posting with 2 images attached: Cougar & Bear.
Gosh, it's 1:58 am. These forum prevents me from my sleep. Its soooo excititing. Yep, I have indeed learned alot here already. Lots of enjoyment too.
See you around