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I recommend Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (the less expensive version approximately $80 at Buy.com) photo editing. There are many more products out there that are less expensive.
Following are
steps to take to edit your pictures for you website.
1. Once you have taken your pictures, download them to your computer. Save these files in your photo editing programs format. Since I use Photoshop, I save them as .psd files.
2. Open your photo editing program and open your picture. Crop your picture two sizes.
-Crop one picture for "thumbnail" sized picture. I crop at 125 pixels x 125 pixels for square or 140 pixels x 125 pixel. You will have to decide how large or small you want your pictures. Just remember that larger that they are, slower they will load. (crop, save this file, then click "undo" to crop your next picture)
-Crop one picture for larger picture that people will see once they click on thumbnail. I use 300 pixels x 300 pixels, or 300 pixels x 275 pixels.
3. Use your photo editing tool to sharpen, and adjust brightness. These are all tools that you will have to play with to get look that you want. I suggest that you read tutorial on photo editing program that you are using. Once you have setting that you like, write them down and use them for most of your pictures.
4. Once you are happy with appearance of your picture, it is time to save it for your website. In Photoshop they offer an option to "Save for Web". Once you have clicked Save for Web, it will take you to a tool that allows you to save it at quality that you want. You can save most pictures for websites at 60%-80%. You will also have to play with this to find right balance between picture quality and load time. For example:
-Picture saved at 60%, not real clear, loads in 3 seconds -Picture saved at 70%, pretty clear, loads in 4 seconds -- Best Bet! -Picture saved at 80%, very clear, loads in 10 seconds
If your program does not offer, Save for Web, you will have to read directions on saving for a website. **Just make sure that you save all of your website pictures in JPEG format.**
5. Always keep a copy of your original (saved in your photo editing programs format). You may decide to go back and change it.
Lisa Jay is a freelance writer and the jewelry designer behind Lantana Designwear. You can visit her websites at http://www.LantanaDesignwear.com and www.JewelryMakingHQ.com Be sure to sign up for her newsletter at http://www.JewelryMakingHQ.com/signup_newsletter to receive helpful information on making your business a success.
