How to Reduce the Photo File Size

Reduce your Profile Photo

No matter whether you call it a photo, picture, image or graphic, the file size of your photo can sometimes prevent you from emailing, uploading or adding it to a web site. Here is a simple way to reduce the file size using Google's Picasa software. This instruction will use PHOTO as the term to refer to photo, picture, image or graphic.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Windows XP, 7 or Vista
• Large file photos
• Patience
• moderate computer skills

Instructions

1. 

   Picasa is a FREE photo editing software from Google that organizes the photos on your computer and makes your pictures look great using WINDOWS XP, VISTA or Window 7. It allows you to share your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button! At this writing Picasa 3.6 is the latest version of the program. Download Picasa from the link listed in the Resources below. Install Picasa and follow instructions for organizing and locating the photos on your computer.

2. 

   Open Picasa and locate the PHOTO you want to resize and select it. Double click the photo to Enter the Picasa viewer.

3. 

   Click File in the upper menu
   Click Export to Picture Folder
   (This process does not modify original photo)

4. 

   Click the Browse Button and change the location to save the file otherwise Picasa will save it in a default location (C:/My Pictures/Picasa/ ...)

5. 

   Enter REDUCED SIZE in the Name of Exported Folder: Box
   Reduce the PIXEL size to 640 by sliding the lever to the left. 640 is a good quality photo size to use on the internet. 800 is better if you are printing the photo.
   Note: The image quality for your photo using the "Image Quality" drop-down menu:
   • Automatic: Preserves the original image quality
   • Normal: Balances quality and size
   • Maximum: Preserves fine detail for large file sizes
   • Minimum: Yields some quality loss for small file sizes
   • Custom: Lets you to select your own value
   Click the EXPORT button

6. 

   The photo file I used was reduced 1024 pixels and the 640 pixel file was reduced by nearly 50% but the quality was not significantly reduced.

7. 

   Your new photo file is smaller and now ready to email or upload. Good Luck!

   Picasa has many other features. It is FREE and organizes the photos on your computer and makes your pictures look great using the same instructions regardless of which Windows operating system you are using. It allows you to share your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button! If you have a Google email address you can resize and email multiple photos right from Picasa very quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your pictures are well organized

• Keep a copy of the original photo

• Rename your photos to something easily identifiable at a glance, such as flowers.jpg

• I like to use Picasa to edit and organize my photos. It is a free program from Google. See the link in Additional Resources.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Picasa 3.6 (or newer)
• How to Reduce the File Size of Web Clip Art
• Resize digital pictures quickly (Windows XP Only)
• Alternate Resizer Program