Making photos smaller

[Linzi84]

I have had some photos taken and I want to email to places, but they average at 6mg and I can only send 10mg off my hotmail. How do I make them smaller so i can send a few at a time? Thanks

[Buenchico]

Firstly, a quick guide to your target sizes:

For simply providing an illustration in an e-mail, a file size of around 30Kb ( = 0.03Mb) to 50Kb (= 0.05Mb) is probably fine. For a better screen image, aim at around 80Kb (=0.08Mb) to 150Kb (=0.15kb). If you want the recipient to get a reasonably good quality print, at postcard size, aim for 200Kb (=0.20Mb).

Next, I note that you say that you had the photographs taken, rather than taking them yourself. That's relevant because, if you own a digital camera it almost certainly came with some software which will do exactly what you want. (Use the help file to look up 'file compression' or 'resizing').

Assuming that you've not already got any suitable software, download Irfanview. It's a free picture viewing and editing program:
http://www.irfanview.com/

Open an image in Irfanview, then go to Image > Resize/Resample. You'll see various options but, if you simply want the recipient to see a reasonable on-screen image, I suggest selecting '640 x 480' and clicking 'OK'. Then go to File > Save as. (Don't just use 'Save'!!! it will over-write your original file!!!). Select a new file name (e.g. add an X to the end of the file nane, so that sunnyday01 becomes sunnyday01X) or alternatively a new location for your smaller file. You'll also see a slider which lets you adjust the compression level. By default, it's set to 80; you might as well leave it there unless you want very small file sizes. Then e-mail your new file.

Chris

[vehelpfulguy]

Another excelent answer from Buenchico, but I would like to add a couple of things.

He says "I suggest selecting '640 x 480'

This is fine for pictures in landscape mode (wider than they are high) but no good for portrait mode. Maybe the other way round for portraits, 480x640, or something like that.

Also, there is usually an option saying something like "keep aspect ratio" which you should ensure is selected.

This will ensure that the picture keeps its correct "shape" (ratio) when you resize it, and does not finish up looking all squashed up.

Also, as they are pictures, make sure you save them as JPEG (JPG) and not some other format like GIF or BMP.

[Giggsie]

if pictures stored in "my pictures" on computer highlight ones you mean to send. Then down lefthand side under file and folder tasks click on email these files and it reduces them for emailing. Very easy this way.

[Josie83]

right click on the pickture whilst its a file in your "my pictures" folder.

Select "open with" and choose "paint"

Then, with the picture open in Paint, click on "Image" and click on "Stretch / Skew"

Change the 100 to 30 in each box and resave it.

This has made the picture and the file smaller, so you can email it

[adamhornsby]

Or you could use Microsoft picture manager (if you have microsoft office installed)
and go to the resize under tools