Got myself confused re the image size I should upload for a product

I am redoing one web site after losing my last one and the administrator who used to tell me what to set the optimum size of the image to prior to upload so it wasn't too big, took too much time to load etc.

I have read most of the threads and other useful bits on here but I have got myself confused re the image size I should upload for a product, partly because of all I have read re Small, Medium and Large !

I am fully conversant with Photoshop and image sizes, pixels etc and can resize images and resolution
to anything needed.

I haven't changed any of the settings / sizes in - Configuration - Images.

So, if I have a product photo on my hard drive - some are from 2 - 5Mb, what should I scale / resize it to in Photoshop BEFORE I upload it, for optimum performance on my web site (taking into account some people still use dial up) and also so I don't end up taking more space than required on the server.

Sorry for what is a basic question !

Thank you in anticipation.

One further question.

Should I use compression when saving the image or should I go for "highest quality", no compression ?

To save space on my own HD I normally for midway point, 6.

500N:

One further question.

Should I use compression when saving the image or should I go for "highest quality", no compression ?

To save space on my own HD I normally for midway point, 6.

This is not really a zencart issue but more of a store to store preference. Take the time to research this in google as you will get more feedback from those who deal with online product images. But as a start, saving it at the highest quality in photoshop is really unnecesary. If you are using Jpegs you might consider saving them as progressive as it will make the image size smaller while still maintaining good quality. This will also allow your slow connection visitors a better experience.

For the dimensions, start with what you want the thumbnails to be, then the product info main image and then the popup image. Once you get those to your liking then you will know what size to save them at for small, med and large. I don't use photoshop but I suspect it has a batch mode so you can auto size hundreds of pictures at once? If so concentrate on the size and what quality and type of image then run the batch to your preferred preferences. On the other hand, you can skip this resizing all together and use image handler to do the resizing. If thats the case just figure out your large image size and let image handler take care of the rest.

500N:

I have read most of the threads and other useful bits on here but I have got myself confused re the image size I should upload for a product, partly because of all I have read re Small, Medium and Large !

Install the "Image Handler" module and then upload the best images that you have. IH will reduce and cache the resized images as required.

Cheers
RodG

yaritai and RodG

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I have looked at IH, might be the solution.

Thanks again.

500N:

yaritai and RodG

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I have looked at IH, might be the solution.

Thanks again.
Image Handler IS your solution.. The module has MANY benefits, but the BIGGEST one is that it makes image manager super easy for my non-technical clients.. With IH4 you upload your LARGEST image, and IH4 takes care to create optimized large, medium, and small images for you.. DONE and DONE!

Thanks.

Have already asked freelancer to install it in the next day or so.

Thank for all your help.