posted on August 24, 2009 07:01:24 PM
You have the tech dummy poster child here. I've upgraded my ancient camera and I'm overwhelmed. I have a Kodak M1033 10 megapixel (whatever that means). Finally thought I had the hang of taking pics and using their Kodak software to refine, crop, clean up the pics, etc.
My problem is that the images are so many k when I get them to my vendio uploaded images that I'm going through the allowed MB size in their plans way too fast. I'll be broke by next week at this rate. Have to keep upgrading.
My images used to be about 35k - 80 or so. I rarely had to bump up to the second level of a plan and would have many photos stored in vendio. Their plans are based on an average of so many photos per Plan level and price using a 55k per photo average size. I am now putting up photos at least 100k more per photo than with the old camera. They're more like 135k to 200k give or take.
When using the Kodak software, it gives options of sizing the photo as: full, 75%,50%,25%, best for web, thumbnail. I've been using best for web, but did test uploads with the same photo in the 25% and 50% sizes but still large k outcomes.
I did ask at the vendio sales manager section of the community board and was told to try using the vendio xpress publisher. That it was likely I would reduce the size substantially with selecting the Medium size. I Dounloaded that, tried it and still by either selecting small or medium sizes, I get 150k and more. Any ideas what I can do about the sizes? Might it be something about the actual camera settings that I'm not understanding? It's supposed to be the simple easy point and shoot type thing. I'm pulling my hair out here. Thanks for letting me rattle on...no quick way to describe the dillema that I know of.
posted on August 24, 2009 07:15:40 PM
It's your camera. I'm not familiar with it, but it should have settings on it for pixel count. I shoot at 640 X 480 for eBay pictures. Somewhere in your controls, you should be able to set the size to less than 10mp.
"When all else fails, read the instructions"
posted on August 24, 2009 07:54:10 PM
This seems like the perfect topic to ask another basic question.
My computer crashed and I lost my Photoshop 7..and I lost the disc. Is there a comparable free photo imaging software that someone can recommend. I do like Photoshop, so something similar would be best. My needs are simple. I'm doing fine with a 1.3 megapixel camera(ha) and Photoshop 6 level. Strictly used for cropping and editing Ebay jpg images.
posted on August 24, 2009 08:12:13 PM
Hi Max, Thanks for the reply. I actually have been trying to make any sense of the instructions but it's greek to me.
I went on the Kodak help site and keyed in your settings to see what would come up and it only gave any reference to the 640 x 480 numbers in the video mode. I have no idea what those numbers even mean...tech dummy...remember.
I took your suggestion. Found the pixel selections and took 4 photos of the same pillow at different settings.
10 pixels came up at 152k in best for web
5 pixels was 158k, 4.5 pixels was 141k and 2.8 pixels was 157k
all were done in the "best for web" option.
I don't get it. Ooops...the tears are finally flowing...it's late here... maybe tomorrow it will all make sense??? Thanks
posted on August 24, 2009 08:27:54 PM
There is Photoshop Elements, which is more basic than Photoshop... which is all you really need.
Photography is a ying yang relationship. It always has been, even with old film cameras since the 1800s. What I mean is that for every action, there is an opposite reaction.
Example: 10 megapixels will give you giant printed photographs, but they take up alot of memory and can be slow to open on your computer. less megapixels give a lower quality image, but upload fast and look clear on your computer screen.
Megapixels are NOT important for online photos. In fact, you likely want the smallest setting your camera will give. As Max40 points out, set it to 640 x 480. This is the PERFECT size for taking photos for online purposes.
I find it frustrating that digital cameras have actually gone down in quality from 8 years ago. The quality of the image and light processing was far superior in older cameras than my current one... and the current one was more expensive and touted far superior than its predecessors. I remember when Olympus used to tout a 1.8 aperature on their consumer line cameras. Those were FANTASTIC! You don't even hear "aperature" any longer. Everything is Megapixel this and that. When was the last time you used your camera to print an 8 x 10???
posted on August 24, 2009 08:32:56 PM
You need to resize and compress your images. I am not familiar with the Kodak photo software.
I use IRFAN to edit my scans (FREE) and it is very simple to use - you can easily resize to an image size that will fit the ebay listing page (I usually use around 750 pixels) and save my images at 80% (this is done when you name the image and save it - there is an option to select the quality of your images) I There is no noticeable degradation of images but they usually average about 60k (they are over 100K before I compress them). Maybe there is a way to compress in the Kodak software?
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posted on August 25, 2009 01:56:04 AM
I use IRFAN as well. It is very easy to resize. I shot 640 x 480 as well, but some times have to crop. I like the 640 x 480 size best so I go in and resize everything back to 640 x 480.
Download a copy and if you need come back and we'll help you.
I agree - it's a camera setting but you can use IRFAN until you can get it figured out and while you still have hair.
posted on August 25, 2009 06:07:18 AM
A thought about the camera .. does it have a place to adjust quality of image? "Best - better - good" etc? If so, try choosing an option lower than the one you have been using and see what size image you get.
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posted on August 25, 2009 09:38:18 AM
I just checked the specs on your camera, and you do have a setting (1.2mp) that should be suitable for eBay. It'll give you a larger picture than I use.
posted on August 25, 2009 10:23:29 AM
I just googled about image compression on easy share software and found this answer - no one came back to report if it worked or not - worth a try:
"don't use Easyshare so I don't know if it has quality settings for JPEG compression. But it probably has. Open a photo. Click on "Save As", select JPEG as the format and look for a option or a slider to adjust the amount of compression. A higher compression value will reduce the size of the resulting file compared to a lower compression value."
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posted on August 25, 2009 12:00:51 PM
Another day and I'm still at it since 7am, 6 long hours ago. Not much hair left I might add.
I spent quite a long time on live chat with Kodak support. The upshot of his comments is that because it's a newer camera it will naturally take bigger photos...that I need to resize them.
I asked if I'm missing something here..I used their Easy Share software...doesn't your software resize them as selected in your dropdown menu? He says NO. I sure don't get this...I've gone through the whole proces..In the "save as" process after selecting the "save in", "file name" and "save as type" is filled in, a box comes up named "resize pictures". That's where the options of full, 75%,50,25, best for email, best for web and thumbnail are. As I said, I've tried them all. All are way over 100 except thumnail which was 88 but shows as just that...a thumbnail. But..what why is it called a resize picture box if it doesn't resize??
Max, I did try all the camera settings. The 1.2 is only available by switching modes from what the default S (smart mode)to one called P (program). I did it, chose the 1.2, took a photo of the same subject as the rest, cropped, etc like the rest, chose the best for web as the rest and it came up as 161k...actually larger than the others.
Neglus, I googled irfan to get a peek at it and there is actually someone who has put a video of himself using it on utube as a tutorial. Now that's my kind of learning...I'm a "show me" girl (I thought)...Good grief, it looked anything but easy guys. With no more tears left, I had to leave the room, go down in the basement and let loose a good loud scream.
I confessed to being a tech dummy and I've never felt more dumb in my life.
posted on August 25, 2009 12:27:07 PM
Any chance you can return it to the store and exchange for a camera that's useable on eBay?
What you need for eBay is a camera that can be dropped in the settings to 640 x 480, and has a macro setting. I never have to crop with my eBay Mavica.
posted on August 25, 2009 12:28:30 PM
Irfan is not really difficult for your purposes and you have quite a few people here to help you figure it out. Download it and watch the tutorial and if you have any problems we can help. Basically you just want to know how to use IRFAN to open your pictures, crop (if applicable), resize and compress them and save them.
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posted on August 25, 2009 01:58:13 PM
Yea!!! Neglus, I can't thank you enough for the nudge I needed. I think this is going to be the fix. I've tried it on 3 photos and got them down to the 60's in k size. That's a huge difference. I chose the 640 x 480 radio button and left everything else at its default setting. Is that about right? I didn't know what to do with any other options, so was happy to get that far.
I'm going to get up now....go out in my yard which I love and should have been enjoying on this beautiful day....and I'm going to do the "happy dance". It's a good thing my lovely neighbors accept my not being exactly "typical".
You're the BEST! Thank you, thank you, thank you. xo,xo,xo
posted on August 25, 2009 05:30:54 PM
Why don't you just buy a Casio, cheap and works great. I have one or two for years and love it. no frill or bells. It has all you need for $200.00 or less ??
