Expert: Huma Riaz - 5/18/2004

Question
Hi,

I have been using Adobe Photoshop to prepare my 640 x 430 jpg images for my website.

1. I am saving my files for website with the "8" quality setting. This results in large files. Some of my images are 150 kb (but I think a half of that is normal for excellent quality images). Is this normal or is this by far an overkill? What is the best way to make pictures for website using Adobe Photoshop (what quality settings). Image quality is very important to me but maybe I should be doing someting different to reduce file size? I would be very happy if you could help me to undersatnd the balance between file size and image quality a little better. I know the basics and how jpg works.

2. Is it possible that I should not have chosen Abode Photoshop for my website work because this program has a tendncy to make too large files? Or maybe it has other issues with website compatibilty that I dont know of? Is it possible that some other programs have better "image quality / file size" ratio? I am asking because other websites have such small files and such nice images whereas mine are nice but large.

Thank you very much. Tom


Answer
It really depends on the image you saving!

Sometimes 30% jpg quality is good enough for a picture and sometimes it takes 80% with average results.

Always save your files with save for web option in file menu.

You are using such a high quality for your images; normally 50-60 is average for JPG

Photoshop is really good for web as well. You just need to do a little practice on how can you optimize your file size in a without loosing quality. Save for web is the best option to work with optimizing.

Fireworks is also a good software from macromedia, but I would not recommend you if you are working with bitmaps/raster

You can also use un-sharp mask filter before saving your files. it will make your images more sharper and clearer.


Feel free to ask anything further


Huma Riaz
Location: Karachi-Pakistan