What software are you using? If you are in the market for a good beginner level software, Adobe photoshop Elements would be a good choice.
You need to do three things to modify the file to the point of posting here or sending any file on the 'net. Most importantly, you need to reduce the file size dramatically. For Usefilm this means to 360kb or less. Second, you need to reduce the pixel count on the long side to 800 pixels or less. Third, you need to convert the file to a jpg format. Different software does this in different ways, so the advice from here on has to be generic.
From a work flow perspective, you first load the image up and modify it as you feel is needed. Always remember to keep an original copy, unaltered. I usually start with levels, then curves (if available), then adjust color balance, then clone out dust, then dodge/burn, then save the giant file with a new name. I add the letters md, for modified, to the END of the file name so that I can tell what I have done so far. By keeping the first few letters and numbers the same you will have all files stored together if you use windows explorer for filing (alphabetical order). You notice that I didn't crop too early, as cropping is specific to the application that you will use and you may later need a different size image for different applications. I DON'T sharpen the basic file, since sharpening is specific to the application you will use it for. I am told that many professional printers want to do all the sharpening themselves, and do not want previously sharpened images.
The next phase is to crop and adjust the image for usefilm, and maybe create a digital frame if you want to do that. When I save this new file I save it with a different name so the file is unique and I am not overwriting on my original file. I add the letters sd for 'send', reminding me that this file is designed to be sent over the 'net.
Once you have the pic that you want to post, go to image size and reduce the pixel count to 600-800 pixels on the long side. With some primitive software programs you can't do this as a discrete step, but with better programs this is usually easy. Usefilm requires greater than 400 pixels for posting so images aren't too small, and no more than 800 pixels. I usually sharpen the image next, using unsharp mask in photoshop and other apps in different programs. Then I need to compress the image to a jpg format. In photoshop I use the 'save for web' option, which clips off the EXIF data tagged to the file. Other programs just ask you what format you want the file saved in so you just choose the jpg format. Most importantly you need a file size of 360kb or less. Fiddle with the compression ratio so that your new file is just short of 360kb. I usually save the new file and reload it to double check that what I have saved is what I want others to see.
At the end I usually have three files representing the image, and I save all of them for later use. The first is the raw file out of the camera, with a name like_MG_5893, completely unaltered. The basic modified file might be named _MG_5893dogmd.psd, which also tells me that this is another of my dog pictures. The file for sending on the 'net might be named _MG_5893_dogmdsd.jpg.
There are a number of essays on this site explaining this in greater detail, some of which have disappeared in the last couple of years. You could ask an administrator or use the search option for more detail.
Happy shooting, Piero, you'll have a great time meeting new friends on Usefilm. Let me know if you have a problem.
|
