Limit export file size in Photoshop

[Gustaf]

How do you guys normally export your work from Photoshop to meet RFF requirements of max 500kb upload file size?

In Lightroom there is a function in the export settings (Limit file size) but I do not find this option i Photoshop (in the export for web function). Instead I have to try different resize sizes to find one that meets the requirements.

Any ideas?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I would resize them to no more than 800 pixels on the longest dimension. Much bigger, and they don't display right due to the size of the template used by RFF's gallery software. Any pic that size should be smaller than 500k if saved as a high quality JPEG. In photoshop, I usually save photos for the web at JPEG quality level 10. I'm not sure what setting you would use in Lightroom, as I never use that for anything but raw editing.

 

[Doug]

I use the shareware GraphicConverter, which has a lot of interesting tools, and there's a slider for jpeg compression level where you can see the resulting filesize. I usually try to keep under 230k, but staying with the jpeg compression no lower than 60 (for quality reasons) nor higher than 90 (offers sufficient quality IMO). I make mine 1024px on the long side including a 3px black border, starting from full-size full-res TIFF exports from Lightroom. Examples in my RFF Gallery... if you click on an image the larger full-size displays.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

How do you guys normally export your work from Photoshop to meet RFF requirements of max 500kb upload file size?

In Lightroom there is a function in the export settings (Limit file size) but I do not find this option i Photoshop (in the export for web function). Instead I have to try different resize sizes to find one that meets the requirements.

Any ideas?

In Photoshop, go to File>Export>Save for Web. In the popup menu select jpeg, then at the bottom of the popup menu you can select the pixel dimensions you want. At the top right of the menu you can select the jpeg quality you want. So, you can jigger those two parameters, pixel dimensions and quality, to get the file size you want. To get under 500kb you could use maximum quality and a long side dimension of 800, as Chris suggested, or you could do a larger pixel dimension, and select a lower quality. Either way depending on your preference.
Also, if you decide on some setting you think you would always want to use for photos here, you can save those as a preset in the same drop down menu.

 

[Gustaf]

Thanks! Seems reasonable with the max 800 pixel advice.

 

[Dwig]

In Photoshop, go to File>Save for Web. In the popup menu select jpeg, then at the bottom of the popup menu you can select the pixel dimensions you want. At the top right of the menu you can select the jpeg quality you want. So, you can jigger those two parameters, pixel dimensions and quality, to get the file size you want. To get under 500kb you could use maximum quality and a long side dimension of 800, as Chris suggested, or you could do a larger pixel dimension, and select a lower quality. Either way depending on your preference.
Also, if you decide on some setting you think you would always want to use for photos here, you can save those as a preset in the same drop down menu.

Save for Web (name varies a bit from version to version) is the best approach for this type of export from Ps.



In addition to Larry's recommendations, also pay attention to the color profile and metadata controls. You can save a little bit of size by choosing the sRGB profile but not embedding the profile.