How do you reduce file size for email?

[jon122249]

My T3i saves each picture in .jpg of up to 9000kb.
How do you convert each or in batch down to maybe 100kb for sending in an email?
I am really looking for a freeware program for the job.

[Ltdave]

I've used Microsoft Paint...

For images in the 6-10 mb size often dropping them as little as 3% will cut their file size to 3 mb....

[Eagle]

http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/releases/view/82827

Very simple to use, just right click on an image file in windows explorer and pic a new size.

[TheBrick3]

You can also use irfanview. It's a handy program I've used for almost ten years (pre-photography).

At work sometimes I knew I'd just be e-mailing a picture with no post-production and would shoot a small JPEG.

Better yet, you can use Lightroom to edit your pictures. I always export my pictures as 8 x 10 at 300 dpi if I'm giving to a client (about 3-5 MB usually). But if I make the client web resolution files, or know that's all they need, or am exporting just for me, I do it at 3 x 5 300 dpi. That's only 300-500 kb and fortunately pictures are rarely printed bigger than 3 x 5; and if they are, you can still probably up-size cleanly by at least 100%. 4 x 6 pushes up over 500KB usually, so I haven't used that size.

[kjonnnn]

Are you saving your .jpg's at 10 or 12? When I do a graphic, with QUITE a few layers, and save at 300ppi, 8.5. x 11, its rarely over 1.5 mb.

[scorpio_e]

I use lightroom and convert them in one batch. I set the longest edge to 1078 and select screen resolution.

[jon122249]

THANKS for your replies!
I'll sort of go in order of received. I'm sort of paranoid, so I'm using XP w/SP2 update, not spyware SP3 w/WPA. I have opened in Gimp and saved in smaller file size (100-500kb), BUT MS Photo Editor and Paint both both cannot open cause 'file size is too large'. I'm thinking the length and width of picture is huge.
Saving .jpg's @ 10 or 12? I'm saving at best quality .jpg 5184X3456. There is no 10 or 12 in my camera.
IRFANVIEW: I will try this. Lightroom is OUT cause latest version does not do XP, cost is close to $100, AND most importantly is an Adobe product.
IMAGERESIZER: I may try this if Irfanview bombs for me.
Thanks again for your help.

[HughR]

Photoshop has an excellent command: Save for Web and Devices that allows you to adjust the size as you see fit. There are just two options you have to reduce the file size:
1. Reduce the size of the dimensions in pixels. Anything above about 1500x1000 pixels in size is a total waste on the web.
2. Reduce the quality from maximum to perhaps very good. The web and email are very low resolution devices compared to printing.