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How to Reduce Photo Size Without Quality Loss

May 11

9 min. to read

Today we will talk about how to make a picture smaller file size. But why do you need it? It's important to maintain the rational size of all your image files if you want to have free space.

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At times, you have no option but to reduce the size of an image. While big photos generally mean ‘high quality’ sometimes, the size of a picture has nothing to do with the quality, and you can easily bring down the size without having to compromise on the quality of a photo. So, how can you make an image smaller file size and what is the purpose? And how to use the photo editor for this?

There are many reasons why you may need to reduce a file's size. Here are some reasons:

  • You are running out of disk space, and you need more empty space. You can easily reduce the size of an image and free up space. At this point, it is also worth mentioning that you should definitely choose the best photo organization software.
  • You want to upload a photo as an attachment (email or otherwise) but the file size is too big to attach. Reduced file size would allow you to upload the file easily and quickly.
  • You want to upload the image to your website, but the big size is not only taking up space but also causing the website to load slowly.

All these situations require the size to be reduced. And how can you do that? Let’s find out. This guide provides useful tips on how to reduce the file size of a photo so you can store and share your images easily and efficiently.

By the way, if you want to simplify the post-processing of your best photographs, be sure to check out Luminar Neo's AI photo editing.

Change Picture Dimensions to Reduce the File Size

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The best way to reduce the size of an image is to lower its dimensions. You can usually go to your image editing software and select Resize Image from the menu bar. 

The dimension of a photo refers to its width and height, which together determine the overall size and shape of the picture. You’ll then be able to adjust the width and the height of the image as per your needs.

Change the Extension to Resize an Image

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How to reduce photo size this way? Changing the extension of a file can help you save a lot of space. Some files such as .PNG and .BMP are generally bigger in size. Saving the file as a .JPG can be of help.

All you have to do is open the file on a software choose Save As…, and select .JPG or .JPG when saving the file.

Change Image Resolution to Reduce Image Size

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How to reduce image size? There is one more great option. Besides changing the width and height of an image, you can also reduce its size by altering its dimensions. The resolution of an image is defined by DPI or Dots Per Inch. On a PC screen, the maximum number of dots per inch you see is 72. Larger images are said to have an increased DPI. So, all you need to do is decrease the DPI according to your needs or to 72 to reduce photo sizes. You can perform this task simply by using any of the image editing tools. 

By the way, after you have resized the image, try using photo editing presets, you will definitely like the result.

Using Softwares to Make a Picture Smaller 

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  • Luminar Neo : Luminar Neo makes your job pretty easy. It allows you to upload a file and perform the task. You can bring up the Export Menu by either selecting it from the Menu Bar or by pressing the shortcut keys “Shift+Command+E”.

You'll be asked to either sharpen or resize the image. Choose resize in the window. It will bring on several other options, such as original, short edge etc. You may choose one of these or set your desired size for your picture and reduce it. After that, click on Save, and you will have the file saved but in a smaller size.

  • PhotoShop: You can reduce the size of an image by using the Image Size option. Once you click on the option to resize the image, it will ask you for new height, width and resolution. Type in the new values and click save to have a smaller file. It's as easy as that. 
  • Other Ways: You can also make your pictures smaller using a number of the best free Photoshop alternatives found on the web.

Conclusion: How to Make Photo File Size Smaller?

By now, you have learned several quick and easy ways to resize your photos for storage, email, or upload, regardless of your device or operating system. Each method has its own unique advantages, depending on your workflow and the platforms you use. Choose the one that works best for you and share your images with ease!

FAQ

Why Reduce Photo File Size?

High-resolution original images can take up a lot of space on your computer or mobile device, which can slow performance and cause storage issues. Also, if you need to upload photos to a website, social media platform, or email, reducing the document size and format can significantly speed up the process.

How Do I Reduce the KB MB Size of a Photo?

First, try to compress the picture. Compression is a great way to shrink the image file size. There are several apps and online tools that can help you do it without losing too much photo quality. Also, some image formats, such as PNG, are inherently smaller than others. However, if you want to resize digital pictures in Photoshop, be aware that reducing the resolution too much can result in a loss of quality.

How to Reduce Photo Size without Losing Quality?

When you save your picture, you can choose an option to reduce the image file size. For example, you can select a medium or low-quality JPEG instead of a high-quality RAW. Also, try to edit your photo and change the aspect ratio. This can help change the image size without sacrificing clarity. It is important to note that some loss of quality may be unavoidable.

How Do I Reduce the Size of a JPEG?

You can use photo editing software such as Luminar Neo, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or Lightroom to reduce picture file size, including JPEGs. You can do this by adjusting the compression settings, resizing the image, or cropping out unnecessary parts of the photo.

How to Reduce the Size of a Picture | Skylum How-to(2)

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Written by

Kateryna Didyk

Amateur photographer

Kateryna Didyk is an amateur photographer perfectly familiar with photo editing apps. She especially likes Luminar Neo which allows her to create real photographic masterpieces. Kateryna's favorite genres are pet photos and landscapes; these are the topics she talks about with pleasure and shares her professional secrets. She often travels around the country in search of inspiration. Kateryna's second profession is a copywriter, so she creates expert and exciting articles and explains everything in a way that beginners can easily understand.

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How to Reduce the Size of a Picture | Skylum How-to(14)