POTN Powershot Speed Challenge #109 - Stairs

teekay wrote in post #4897257
Thanks, gewb, but I had in mind something for general use, rather than a specific GIMP tutorial, although that would certainly do the trick. I did do a quick search during the challenge but didn't find any general "how to" that could be used in nearly all editing software. It's such a simple matter that most people don't need to download additional software, they just have to learn to use what they have already.

Question is, what is "general use"? The GIMP comes the closest as it is available for several operating systems and is no cost. Photoshop certainly isn't "general use" as it is very expensive and can't be used on my computer 'cause I don't use Windows (except at work).

I have used numerous applications to do scale and size functions and none of them are "the same" as the others so a tutorial that is valid for The GIMP wouldn't work for Photoshop 6 which isn't the same as CS3 which isn't the same as...

Regards,
GEWB

Great Job everyone!!

Personally, I shun at the thought of reducing quality, I'd much rather reduce size to keep file sizes down, jpgs are already compressed enough!! I'm looking forward to more challenges and more dis-qualifications.

danpass wrote in post #4897279
but otherwise .............. ? ? ?


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It was not exactly 800 pixels in at least one dimension, therefore it was disqualified.

gewb wrote in post #4897511
Question is, what is "general use"? .....

I wasn't referring to specific software for general use, and I'll take your word for it that GIMP is compatible with almost any system (although I've never had the need to try it). I was thinking more of an explanation of resizing and JPEG compression that could be useful with almost any editing software that people already have.

In the end, of course, it's up to each individual to learn the ropes if they want to produce winning pictures.

Jon wrote in post #4897695
It was not exactly 800 pixels in at least one dimension, therefore it was disqualified.

Well then ..... rules are rules after all

(though what I asked for additional input )

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danpass wrote in post #4898029
(though what I asked for additional input )

If it means anything Dan, I think your's was the best...sshhhh, don't tell anyone. That is my opinion though. I love old temples, cathedrals, buildings, old architecture, etc.

DeeDoubleYou wrote in post #4897688
Great Job everyone!!

Personally, I shun at the thought of reducing quality, I'd much rather reduce size to keep file sizes down, jpgs are already compressed enough!! I'm looking forward to more challenges and more dis-qualifications.

For a photo of just 800 pixels across I would defy most people to see any appreciable difference on a monitor between a JPEG set at the lowest amount of compression (i.e. highest quality) and one with 20% compression (which I what I use on nearly all mine for storage or posting).

After all, we're not talking about poster size or glossy magazine quality here, just a small, fun competition among fellow enthusiasts. So I urge you to enter more challenges but please don't make life harder for the judges by willfully disregarding the few simple rules.

i think it does seem kind of dumb to have the limit on size for these contests...i can understand a maximum size...but saying that it has to be exactly 800 pixels is just ridiculous...a photo at 780 pixels instead of 800 should not be disqualified...maybe it looks better at that size...oh well just my opinion

DeeDoubleYou wrote in post #4898232
If it means anything Dan, I think your's was the best...sshhhh, don't tell anyone. That is my opinion though. I love old temples, cathedrals, buildings, old architecture, etc.

lol

no problem. for some reason I had read "at most 800" and I didn't want to bother posting my 380kb 800x600 shot I had online (because of that other dumb 200k limit .... 56k TIME TO JOIN THE LATE 20th CENTURY)

Been trying to get input on my landscape shots (thread in critique forum)

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I to obviously am having problems with the limitations, but I guess I'm still very much a rookie here. I didn't like my photo all that much either it wasn't the best stairs shot I had but it fit the rules. Thanks for the default 3rd anyways. All of the other entries were better than mine IMO. Not bad for my first contest tho, at least I placed. Just looking for some fun and education form those here who actually know what they are doing, cause I don't.

DreDaze wrote in post #4898915
i think it does seem kind of dumb to have the limit on size for these contests...i can understand a maximum size...but saying that it has to be exactly 800 pixels is just ridiculous...a photo at 780 pixels instead of 800 should not be disqualified...maybe it looks better at that size...oh well just my opinion

The size stipulation is so the images are all as close as possible to the same size. This helps in assessing overall quality as well as comparing composition. You'll find many photo contests stipulate an exact size for submissions for just that reason.

Jon wrote in post #4899049
The size stipulation is so the images are all as close as possible to the same size. This helps in assessing overall quality as well as comparing composition. You'll find many photo contests stipulate an exact size for submissions for just that reason.

yeah i can understand that point...i think i was just used to the contests that used to be run by Big_B...where it was maximum 800 pixels...I used to love those contests cause it allowed P&S's to compete with SLR's...and it used to show that it's not always the best camera that takes the best shot...just joined the SLR club on friday so unfortunately don't think i'm going to be entering many more of these competitions...which sucks cause i do enjoy em

Google is your friend....

Irfanview
http://www.irfanview-stop.com …&a=irfanview&kw​=irfanview

Picture Resizer Personal
http://picture-resizer-personal-3-0-8-0-freeware.digitalphotot​ools.net/

And Many Many More ......

Okay, I get how to resize/resample an image to get it to fit within the limitations of EXACTLY 800 pixels and less than 200kb. But... wait for it..... here comes the really dumb question... I have a 800x600 pic at 194kb, but i cannot attach it cuz it's over 150kb. I tried to attach from my picasa website, still too big. How do you guys get your photos up there without using the attachment window???

Use:

[IMG]webaddress.jpg

another example, the code for my pic (with a couple of unnecessary spaces added within the brackets).

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO