Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone is encouraged join the challenge, the aim is to -

* Push yourself to produce a shot for the challenge
* Learn from the critiques given by your buddies
* Learn by giving critiques to your buddies.

To join in, go to the members meetings page and there will be a "Meeting" with the title (for example)

Critique Buddies August 2009 - 1

Click on that and see how many people there are in the group - their names are in the "Attendees" section.
If there are 6 or less, then just click "Attend Meeting" at the top of the page.

When you've taken your challenge shot, you upload it as normal in the gallery, and in the upload page, there is an "Add to meeting" box - just select the "Critique Buddies August 2009" from the box - the your photo will appear in the meetings page.

To check your buddies photos - go to "Members Meetings" page and find your meeting - all the shots appear on that page.

Notes:

* We limit each group to seven so it's a manageable amount for all other six members to critique their group buddy's photo. If a group is full, you can create a new "Meeting" by adding the "Add Meeting" button.

* A group doesn't have to be full to start the challenge - you can upload and start critique at any point in the month. A group doesn't have to be full at the end either. It's just more useful if you have all seven participants. If your group isn't full try to encourage new people to join.

Top Tips:

* Just upload one photo per challenge group.

* If you want to upload a second photo, then join a new group.

* Use the "Versions" to upload any set up shots to describe how you did the challenge - helps other people learn.

* Also use Versions to show other ideas you had, and describe why you didn't choose them for upload.

* When giving a critique, go into as much detail as you can - spelling out what you like is as important as what you think could be improved, so even if you think the shot is perfect, say "why" you think that - it may highlight things to your buddies that they never knew.

* Always consider the critique guidelines when commenting.

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With no upload limit, members' images were disappearing to the fourth or fifth page within minutes of uploading and they stood no chance of being seen and commented upon.

Thus, the upload limit was introduced. Currently the limit is one image per user per day. This ensures that every member that uploads an image gets a fair crack at getting their images seen and commented upon in the gallery.

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First, you need to understand the current file limits on ePHOTOzine.
Your image MUST be no longer than 600 pixels on the longest side (1000 pixels for e2 members).
The image MUST be in JPEG format - this means it must be saved with .jpg extension
at the end.
The image MUST be less than 100k in size (400K for e2 Members). This is the bit most new members get
wrong.
The image must be RGB, not CMYK.
Note that if you use Adobe RGB (1998) colour space rather than sRGB it will result in a loss in density and contrast.

Here's the easiest way to do it in Photoshop (PS) (7, CS & Elements):
In your application go to Image - Image size (PS)/ This will bring up a box
showing some dodgy numbers (Screenshot 1 - PS Version as I don't have Elements!)

Screenshot 1

1 = Pixel Dimensions
2 = Resolution

The first thing to do in this box is to change the resolution. Mine at the
moment says "600" pixels/inch (aka ppi/dpi). For viewing on the web,
72 dpi is plenty. DON'T CLICK OK!!!! When you change the resolution, you will
notice that the Pixel Dimensions have changed too. These may have changed to
less than 600 pixels. You can now change the highest number to 600 pixels (on
a landscape for example, this will be the width). The other number will look
after itself (Screenshot 2)

Screenshot 2

Now you can click ok! Your image will get much smaller on the screen.
With the zoom tool selected right click on the image and select "Actual
Size". This will bring the image back to a viewable size.

If you want to apply any sharpening (lots of people do, I don't!) you
should do it now.

Here's the "tricky" bit: Go to "File - Save For Web".

There'll be a new screen popup titled "Save for Web, Powered by Image
Ready" (or similar).

The bit on the right is what you are interested in. Ignore all the boxes
for a moment. Beside Preset theres a circle with a triangle in it. Press
it. This will bring up "Optimize to File Size":

Screenshot 3

Screenshot 4

Where you see "Desired File Size", set that to 100 or below (I normally
use 99 just to be on the safe side), and then hit OK. That will disappear and
bring you back to the Save for web dialogue.

Hit the Save button, choose a place to save and Robert is your father's brother!

If this doesn't help we have a technique here which tells you how to resize your photos in several other applications.

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