• Removing unnecessary backgrounds (cut & paste)
• Saving the image in the correct file format (JPEG, PNG, GIF)
• Reducing the dimensions (physical size) of the image
• Reducing the resolution/quality of the image
• Converting the image to grey scale (black & white)

Backgrounds
Removing unnecessary backgrounds significantly reduces the size of image files. The tutorial below walks you step-by-step through this cut & paste operation.

File Format
Saving your images in the correct file format is important, and the issues to consider when selecting a format are (a) compression, and (b) compatibility. Although less superior to PNG (Portable Network Graphics), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is supported by all web browsers, as well as by the majority of image-viewing software programs. For compatibility and general viewing purposes, then, it is best to save your images in JPEG format.

Dimensions
A small picture often tells the same story as a large picture. Consider reducing the dimensions (physical size) of your image before sending this to others.

Resolution/Quality
Reducing the resolution and quality of an image accelerates transfer speeds. Try this option before saving your final image.

Grey Scale
Is a colour image really necessary? Converting an image to grey scale (black and white) reduces the file size by approximately 50%.

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Tutorials
The tutorials below walk you step-by-step through each of the above file-reducing operations. Select your operating system from the options below for detailed instructions on resizing images.

Windows 2000 — Windows XP
Windows Me
Photography and Video Production in Bangkok

Follow the instructions below to resize images using Imaging For Windows found under:
Start > Imaging or Start > All Programs > Accessories > Imaging.

1. Start Imaging For Windows
2. Open the image to be edited — click: File > Open, or click the Open icon
3. Click: Edit > Select Image, or click the Select Image icon on the tool bar
4. Your mouse pointer changes to a cross-hair
5. Place the cross-hair on your image, at the corner of the area to be cut
6. Click and hold down the left mouse button
7. Drag the cross-hair until the area desired has been selected
8. On the menu bar, click: Edit > Cut, or click the Cut icon on the tool bar
9. This removes (cuts) the selected area from the existing image
10. On the menu bar, select: File > New
11. If prompted to save the existing image, select No
12. A New Blank Document Window appears
13. Select JPG file
14. Click OK
15. A new window — Untitled - Imaging — appears
16. On the menu bar, click: Edit > Paste, or click the Paste icon on the tool bar
17. The cut portion of the original image is now your new image
    Note - The copy function can be used in place of the cut action
18. To reduce the dimensions (physical size) of the image, click: Page > Properties
19. The Page Properties dialog box appears
20. Select Size from the folder options
21. Under this folder, select Custom from the Size list menu
22. Enter a new size (width & height) for the image, selecting the units desired
23. Click OK
24. On the menu bar, click: File > Save As
25. The Save As window appears
26. In the top area, under Save in, browse for a location where you want to save your new image
27. In this same window, under File name, type a name for your new image
28. Still in this same window, under Save as type, select JPG File (*.jpg)
29. Click Save
30. To reduce the file size even further, click: Page >Properties
31. The Page Properties dialog box appears
32. Select Compression from the folder options
33. Under JPEG Resolution select Low, and under JPEG Quality select Low
34. Click OK
35. If the new image is acceptable, repeat steps 24 through 29 to save your low resolution JPEG image
36. To convert the image to grey scale, click: Page >Properties
37. The Page Properties dialog box appears
38. Select 256 Shades of Gray
39. Click OK
40. This converts the image to black and white, reducing the file size by approximately 50%
41. If the new image is acceptable, repeat steps 24 through 29 to save your new black and white image
42. Lastly, and before transferring multiple images over the Internet, place these in a single ZIP archive. Doing so eliminates the need for users to commence separate download operations for each image.

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Other Operating Systems
Most operating systems will have a built-in image editing program similar to the ones for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Me. Simply adhere to the techniques mentioned at the beginning of this section to reduce the file size of your images.

For those without a built-in image editing program, the download or purchase of such software is necessary to begin resizing images and reducing the size of saved image files. Often, the shareware versions of these programs permit a free 30-day trial, with purchase prices at the expiration of the free-trial period starting at about US-$20.00.

To locate shareware versions of image editing software, click on any of the links below and enter the words, image editing, in the search functions found on these sites.

Tucows
CNET Shareware
Caution — Freeware and shareware applications often contain spyware, an intrusive little utility that monitors your travels on the web and then relays this information back to the developers. From there, the information is generally sold to advertisers who, after adding your name to a spam list, proceed to bombard you with unwanted e-mail advertisements. The more destructive and dangerous versions of these stealth utilities are programmed to scan the files on your hard drive or — worse — monitor keystrokes, such as those used for passwords and credit card information. Whenever possible, never download freeware programs — buy the full version. If you suspect that spyware is active on your computer, click the link below for information on removing these hidden applications.

Spyware Removal Information
For those with a budget to die for, you might want to check out the products offered by Adobe Systems, the industry leader in digital imaging software. In addition to advanced features for resizing images, as well as quick and easy options for reducing the overall size of image files, the Adobe PhotoShop product is, hands-down, the essential tool for all professional graphic artists.

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