[evaners]

[I would have posted this in the original "How to..." thread, but it's locked.]

People are still confused about how to post images for critique. The original thread, while helpful, is pretty long and kinda complex. And some people are better with diagrams than with reading instructions. So, I figured I'd draw up a couple diagrams to help explain. These instructions use PhotoShop, but other image editing programs will probably work similarly.

In order to post an image for critique, you need to make 2 new images as follows:

Let's suppose your original image is 4000 x 4000 pixels.

Step 1
You will need to reduce the file dimensions to 500 x 500.
- Under the 'Image' menu, choose 'Image size'
- Select the 'Resample' checkbox
- Change the dimensions to 500, 500
- Do a 'save-as' for this image with a new name.


Step 2
Now go back to your original photo, and select a 500 x 500 area showing a key focal element (an eye, for example).
- Copy this area
- Create a new file that is 500 x 500
- Paste
Save this new file with a new name.

Now you can post these 2 new files in a thread for critique.

One other note; the maximum file size that you can post is 256k. If your 2 new files exceed that limit, you can open them and 'Save for web'. Set the jpeg quality at 100% and save. It should make the file size quite a smaller without noticeably changing the quality of the image.

[rinder99]

Thanks bro. yes annettes version I can't even understand.

[evaners]

I'm going to bump this up, it seems like some folks could use it.

[rojo]

bump

[kenny123]

if you set rulers on your photoshop workspace it's even easier to do:

[digigandalf]

bump

[ruxpriencdiam]

Bump.

[fmnelly]

These instructions are easier to understand. Been having difficulty. Thank you for posting.

[semmickphoto]

Bump.

I love to use faststone capture and MS Office Picture manager. Just zoom to 100%, crop out any area with faststone and save. Then hit resize, 500 longest side, save as. Hopla, two photos for SS in under one minute ;-)

[evaners]

Bumping again

[jeffbanke]

CS 4,5 possibly earlier versions I forget :-)

There is a very simple way to do this without having to squeeze down images or measuring 500 pixels each time.

Here is the method I use
First create a new document which is 500x500 pixels with a white background fill, and save as "500x500 Template. This is something you will never have to do again :-)

Now to make a full image of anything compressed into a 500x500 space, simply use the following method.

1. In PS open your 500x500 template
2. from Bridge drag the image you want to compress into this space and drop it on top of the template. This immediately compresses it into the space as a SMART OBJECT,
3. simply click on the image and select "PLACE" from the popup window.
4. Select SAVE AS, give it a name and you are done. This take all of a couple of seconds.

Now to make the 100% crop, do the following

1. Open template
2. Open the image you want to show on the thread at 100%
3. Press CMD or CTRL A (select all)
4. Press CMD or CNTL C (Copy)
5. Click on the template
6. Press CMD or CNTL V (Paste)
7. Use the pointer in the image to move it around to the part you want us to see
8. Select Save AS, give a name and you are done

Again this only takes seconds, requires no resizing or anything else

[jeffbanke]

For those that prefer visual references this image is what a smart object looks like after being dragged from Bridge on top of the 500x500 template, note the X through the image indicating it is a SMART OBJECT.
Just hit place, save and your done

Works equally well for horizontal or vertical

[jeffbanke]

For the 100%
Open template
Open other image
Select ALL
COPY
PASTE

[cdkeyser]

[time to bump again]

[smileus]