Overview of Photos for the Web

Summary of Adjustments to Optimize Images of Online Viewing

May 7, 2007

Proper cropping, coloring, compression, and editing are all important for creating effective images for websites. This summary outlines the "photos for the web" series

Some people are complete purists when it comes to digital photography and refuse to manipulate their photos in any way. This is not the series for them.

While cropping and photo adjustment layers are the beginning of the slippery slope to complete digital photo manipulation, it does not alter the integrity and authenticity of your photographs.

This is a series on enhancing and optimizing your photos. It will outline how to create effective and compelling images ready for display on websites, blogs, and online photo galleries.

This series was creating using the program Photoshop CS2. These adjustments can be done with all versions of Photoshop including Elements. The only knowledge needed of the program is where the Layer window is (found under View menu).

Most of these adjustments can be made in other photo editing programs as well, but the names will be slightly different. Some programs have automated a lot of these features. Resist the temptation to use automated features. Many programs do well, but a computer’s idea of beautiful will not be the same as yours.

Here is a brief summary of the articles on optimizing your photographs for the web:

Cropping

This is the basic composition of your image. These are some simple tips and tricks for creating more effective narrative photos that will engage your viewers:

Tight focus on the subject

Elimination of “visual noise”

Rule of Thirds

Adjustment Layers

These are used to improve the clarity, color, and contrast of your photograph. Through these you will be able to improve the quality of the original file while also maximizing the colors and effects of the smaller, compressed file that will be used online. These adjustment layers include:

Levels

Curves

Hue/Saturation

Bright Spots

One common problem with a lot of digital photographs is “bright spots” or entire sections of a photo lost in white. While cropping and the adjustment layers will take care of some of these problems, a specific technique for isolating and adjusting these areas is necessary.

Optimal Photo Compression

Saving photos for the web is a balance between file size and quality. We want the smallest file-size possible with the highest quality possible so that people can quickly and easily view our photographs at their best. This section will outline some guidelines and tips for saving and compressing files for the web.

Photo Editing Proficiency

Let’s be honest, when uploading photos to the internet there are usually more than one or two photos. This article will outline a series of timesaving tips that will maximize the time you spend editing photographs by automating many of the features above.