1. “Rightsizing” Images for
CPG Tech Talk
“Rightsizing” Images for
Online Submission
Presented to the Coastal Photographers Guild
By Michael Hanneld
May 18, 2017

2. Caveat:
We’re only talking about resizing images for viewing on a screen
We’re not talking about ―
● Cropping images
● Resizing images for printing

3. The Three Most Important Rules When Resizing Images:
Always work on a copy of the original
Unless you’re working on a “smart object,” resizing is a DESTRUCTIVE edit – once saved, the downsized image cannot be restored to its original state.

4. Critical Settings File type: JPG (or JPEG – they’re the same thing)
Image size: Long side ≤ 1024 pixels
File name format: Firstname_Lastname_Example1

5. Are we doing this just to torture you?
Actually, no … these requirements are to ―
Ensure compatibility with various devices and multiple software applications
Ensure that images are small enough to be sent as attachments
Ensure that files will load quickly when viewed on web browsers
Minimize digital file storage space requirements

6. Only submit JPG (or JPEG) images!
TIF
PSD
DNG
RAW
BMP
GIF
???
PICT
IMG

7. Limit Long side of the image to ≤ 1024 Pixels
Digital images are comprised of thousands of tiny squares, each with a specific color and luminance value. These squares are called picture elements, or “pixels” for short.
1024 Pixels is somewhat arbitrary, based on an old “XGA” standard for IBM computer monitors. However, it ensures compatibility with a wide variety of display devices and offers a reasonable balance between file size and image quality.

8. The 72 ppi myth
The correct resolution for images displayed on the web, or on computer screens in general, is 72 pixels per inch (ppi).
You may see a rule “carved in stone” requiring that web images for display on computer monitors be set to a resolution of 72 pixels per inch (ppi) or 72 dots per inch (dpi).

9. The 72 ppi myth
The correct resolution for images displayed on the web, or on computer screens in general, is 72 pixels per inch (ppi).
You may see a rule “carved in stone” requiring that web images for display on computer monitors be set to a resolution of 72 pixels per inch (ppi) or 72 dots per inch (dpi).
This common belief is a myth! Although resolution (ppi or dpi) is extremely important for good quality prints, it is meaningless for images that will only be viewed on a computer screen.
Resolution on an electronic display is controlled by the device, not by the way the image is saved.
Contrary to popular belief, resolution does not affect the size of the file.
Don’t believe it? Check it out –

10. The Resizing Conundrum
File
Size
Image
Quality
Example:
Original edited PSD file (2160 x 1440 pixels) ≈ 27 MB
Original size JPG file (2160 x 1440 pixels) ≈ 2 MB
Downsized JPG file (1024 x 683 pixels) ≈ 550 KB

11. Generic Resizing Workflow
1. Copy the original file*
* Steps 1 and 2 can be done at any point in the workflow.
2. Rename the copy in “Firstname_Lastname_Example1” format*
7. Send image as attachment to
3. How many pixels on long side of image?
4a. If long side is ≤ 1024 pixels, there is no need to resize the image
4b. If long size is ˃ 1024 pixels, downsize image to 1024 pixels on long side
5. Optional: set image color profile to sRGB
6. Save image in JPG file format

12. Software Demonstrations
Photoshop Elements
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Paint
Go to Summary

13. Resizing photos with Elements

14. The “Image” menu can also be used for resizing
The “Image” menu can also be used for resizing. It offers more options, but is also more complicated.
From the “File” dropdown menu, select “Save for Web…”

15. If the file type is anything other than “JPEG” or “JPG”, it will need to be changed with the dropdown menu.

16. Select “JPEG High” or, for a smaller file size but lower image quality, select “JPEG Medium”.

17. Check the “Optimized” box, if it isn’t already checked.
Set the “Quality” slider between about 80 and 100.
Check to see how many pixels are on the long side of the image.

18. Reset the long side to 1024 pixels
Reset the long side to 1024 pixels. The short side will automatically adjust to a new setting, unless the default link between “Width:” and “Height:” has been changed.
Useful information on the file size and estimated time for the file to load on a web page is displayed automatically.
Click to “Save” the file.

19. The standard “Save” dialog box will appear
The standard “Save” dialog box will appear. Select a location to save the downsized image.
IMPORTANT! If you haven’t already renamed the original file, be sure to do so now! Name the downsized image in the prescribed Coastal Photographers Guild format.
Click “Save”.

20. Software Demonstrations
Photoshop Elements
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Paint
Go to Summary

21. Resizing photos with Lightroom

22. From the “Library” view, select the image to be downsized and click on the “Export” button.

23. Alternatively, in any mode, from the “File” dropdown menu select “Export…”

24. In the dialog box that will appear, select the destination for the downsized file. This will usually be either “ ” (to send the downsized image) or “Hard Drive” (to save the downsized image on your computer).

25. If you chose to export the downsized image to “Email” …
Rename the file …
Set the “Quality” slider between 80 and 100 …
Set the “Color Space” to “sRGB” (the default) …
Check the “Resize to Fit” box and, from the dropdown menu, select “Long Edge.” Enter 1024 in the “pixels” box. It doesn’t matter what number is in the “Resolution” box …
Select sharpening, if desired …
Click “Export”.

26. If you chose to export the downsized image to your “Hard Drive” …
Select the location where you want to save the downsized image …
Rename the file in the prescribed Coastal Photographers Guild format …
Set the “Quality” slider between 80 and 100 …
Using the dropdown menus, set the “Image Format” to “JPEG” and the “Color Space” to “sRGB” …
Check the “Resize to Fit” box and, from the dropdown menu, select “Long Edge.” Enter 1024 in the “pixels” box. It doesn’t matter what number is in the “Resolution” box …
Select sharpening, if desired …
Click “Export”.

27. Software Demonstrations
Photoshop Elements
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Paint
Go to Summary

28. Resizing photos with Photoshop

29. From the “Image” dropdown menu, select “Image Size…”

30. If you can’t select “Pixels” here, it is probably because the “Resample:” box is not checked.
Notice the original size and take note of which side of the image is the long side. If the long side is less than 1024 pixels, there is no need to downsize the image.
Be sure the “Resample:” box is checked and “Automatic” is selected.

31. When you enter a new “Width:” or “Height:”, the “Fit To:” box will change to “Custom”.
It doesn’t matter what’s in the “Resolution:” box.
Enter 1024 in the “Width:” or “Height:” box (whichever is the greater value).
As long as the chain link between “Width:” and “Height:” is turned on (the default setting), the dimension of the image’s short side will change automatically.
Be sure the “Resample:” box is checked and “Automatic” is selected.

32. From the “File” dropdown menu, select “Save As…”. IMPORTANT
From the “File” dropdown menu, select “Save As…”. IMPORTANT! Do not select “Save”, or you may inadvertently overwrite your original image file.

33. Select the location where you want to save the downsized image.
From the dropdown “Save as type:” menu, select “JPEG”.

34. Name the downsized image in the prescribed Coastal Photographers Guild format.
If the option of selecting an “ICC Profile: sRGB” is available, check its box.
Click “Save”.

35. The “JPEG Options” dialog box will appear
The “JPEG Options” dialog box will appear. In the “Quality:” box, enter “12”.
Under “Format Options”, select “Baseline Optimized”.
Click “OK”.

36. Software Demonstrations
Photoshop Elements
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Paint
Go to Summary

37. Resizing photos with Microsoft Paint

38. From the “Home” tab toolbar, click “Resize”.

39. The “Resize and Skew” dialog box will appear
The “Resize and Skew” dialog box will appear. Under “Resize By:”, select “Pixels”. Note whether the value in the “Horizontal:” or “Vertical:” box is greater. If the greater number is less than 1024, there is no need to downsize the image.

40. If the value in either the “Horizontal:” or “Vertical:” boxes is greater than 1024, enter 1024 in the box with the larger number. Be sure the “Maintain aspect ratio” box is checked. The lesser value will then change automatically.
Click “OK”.

41. From the dropdown “File” menu, select “Save as”. …”. IMPORTANT
From the dropdown “File” menu, select “Save as”. …”. IMPORTANT! Do not select “Save”, or you may inadvertently overwrite your original image file.
From the “Save as” menu, select “JPEG picture”.

42. The standard “Save” dialog box will appear
The standard “Save” dialog box will appear. Select a location to save the downsized image.
Name the downsized image in the prescribed Coastal Photographers Guild format.
Click “Save”.

43. Software Demonstrations
Photoshop Elements
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Paint
Go to Summary

44. summary Work from a COPY of the original image
If image isn’t in JPG file format, convert it to JPG
Resize file so long side is 1024 pixels
Save new resized JPG file with a name in this format: Firstname_Lastname_Example1
Attach the image to an and send it to