Resize Photos for Web Display

Using Picasa 2

Click the banner above to download and install Picasa (Google's photo software).

The first time you use Picasa, it asks you whether you'd like for it to Completely scan your computer for pictures or Only scan My Documents, My Pictures, and the Desktop. My strong suggestion is to tell it to Only scan My Documents, My Pictures, and the Desktop.

If necessary, import the photos you'd like to upload to the Web. Picasa generally recognizes your camera and helpfully offers to download your photos for you; if it doesn't, however, you can click the IMPORT button at the upper left of Picasa's opening screen.

Choose the photo you'd like to resize by either clicking on its thumbnail once, which will put a blue border around it, showing that it's selected; or by double-clicking on its thumbnail, to see a larger version of the photo.

Now look down to the very bottom of the screen, and click the EXPORT button at the lower right.

The Export to Folder window opens. By default, Picasa wants to put your resized photos into a new folder in My Pictures > Picasa Exports. Unless you're very familiar with navigating through your computer's file system, just accept Picasa's suggestion.

The second option asks you to Name a new folder (I've named mine resized for web, above).

The third area, Image Size Options, is where you get to actually resize your photo. Choose Resize to and 800 pixels (as above).

Now choose an Image Quality in the fourth area by moving the slider right for higher quality and left for lower quality. I suggest a value between 70 and 90%. Click OK.

Now you're ready to upload your resized photo to the Web!