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How to Batch Resize a Set of Photos

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Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

In this post, we will take a look at the difference between the high resolution photos that we take with our cameras as compared to the optimized copy that we should be using when we are working with web presentations.

Having high resolution images is great for certain types of presentations such as when we need to PRINT a high DPI photo. However websites do not need all those pixels. Most of the time, photos on a web page are 1000 pixels or less in width. So if you have a 10 Megapixel (MP) photo from your camera and you upload it straight to the web, there are thousands of pixels being uploaded that will simply be not used. Transferring large files takes significantly longer time. If you are uploading many files for your real estate listing, each upload takes longer and then multiply that time by the entire set of photos.

In the chart below, this file size comparison is illustrated. The longer bar represents the file size of a 10 MP photo (16MB) compared to a 1000 pixel photo (179KB)

With the above in mind then, it is worthwhile for us to spend a little time in making a copy of our high resolution images with a lower resolution. In the tutorial video below, I demonstrate how to do this. The tutorial is using Microsoft Windows and a free image editor app called Irfanview. We will take a look at how to batch process a whole folder of photo files into a separate folder with smaller file sizes.

Note: Irfanview is a windows app. If you are on a Mac, the concept is the same, but you just have to use a different app. On a Mac, there is the built in ‘Preview’ app that allows you to batch process to resize a group of photos. You can view this tutorial video if you would like to know how to do batch photo resizing on a Mac.

If you are using Microsoft Windows, below is my 12 minute tutorial video on how to do it.

(note: best viewed in full screen, you will see the full screen button at the bottom right corner 
of the video once you start playing it)

 

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Craig Daniels
This blog is all about technology and helping you to use it smarter! Your digital footprint is your chance to attract new clients. What kind of impression are you making via your website, blog, and social media? We’ll be talking about that! Are you as productive as you can be? What apps might help you out? Do you know how to use all the best tools inside the apps? I enjoy photography and videography, you can expect to see those topics also on this blog.
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PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments (22)

Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

Thx Craig. I was just using this program a week or two ago and I really need to use more as I need to improve my page load times.

Nov 15, 2014 11:26 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Thanks Craig. I definitely bookmarked this one so I can reference it again when I'm attempting this.

Nov 15, 2014 11:53 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Craig, Good info. I used to use Irfanview. I now use Microsoft Digital Image Pro and it also has a batch resize function.

Nov 16, 2014 12:07 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I think you first introduced us to Irfanview years ago serving a different purpose, I have been using it ever since. I like editing with Photoshop, but I use this Irfanview app everyday to resize photos, change name, and make ready for posting. Thanks again Craig.

Nov 16, 2014 12:24 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.. It used to take me so long to do this.

Nov 16, 2014 12:39 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Craig - Thanks! That's a most useful tutorial. Resizing is a lot easier than many think, and doing it up front saves a lot of time.

Featured in BananaTude!

'Tude!

Nov 16, 2014 12:52 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Craig,  This is great.  I've been using ipiccy to resize but I could only do one at a time.  This is truly a time saver.

Nov 16, 2014 01:36 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear Craig,
I look forward to every single teaching post you share with us. SO much to learn and your tips always make things go smoother! Thanks.
Have a happy day -
Lynn

Nov 16, 2014 01:40 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a great tool.  Loved the tutorial.  I also love the tip to increase the thumbnail size!  Thank you!

Nov 16, 2014 04:05 AM
Christine O'Shea
Christine E O'Shea Broker - Naples, FL

Hi Craig,  I usually re-size so the photos are not so large, sometimes time consuming, but worth it.  Thanks for the tip!

Nov 16, 2014 05:14 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Craig, Thank you for this most helpful and detailed video. As someone who takes thousands of pictures, this is a very handy tool to learn how to use. I, too, like the thumbnail resizing directions. Excellent post!

Nov 16, 2014 11:59 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Bookmarked for later reference; thank you Craig for tip and video.

Nov 16, 2014 12:01 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Very instructive information, Craig.  It's important too, because the size of photo files used on the web, certainly can affect download time, as you point out.

CONGRATULATIONS on having this blog FEATURED in the PHOTOS group! 

Nov 16, 2014 12:07 PM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Hi craig,

You always have great plain and simple tutorials.  Thank you.

Nov 16, 2014 09:26 PM
Jeff Fisher
PureWest Real Estate - Whitefish, MT
PUREWEST REAL ESTATE/Christies

I've always had difficulty re sizing photos for profile pictures or other applications where a specific size if required.  Thanks for the tutorial! 

Nov 16, 2014 09:46 PM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

This is a bookmark and save blog thank you for sharing such wonderful information. 

Nov 17, 2014 08:37 AM
Art Welch
Superstars Realty - Buckeye, AZ
Broker

Microsoft office also provided the same you can reduce to common sizes like 640 x 480 or also percentages.  Always remember to same the originals and put copies in seperate folders

Nov 18, 2014 04:41 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

Thanks for the tutorial. I will be sharing this with several bloggers in my office. 

Nov 18, 2014 11:46 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

As always great tutorial. I remember this program not being so great long ago but it seems great now. One of the most annoying points in the REMAX site is we have to downsize all the photos & it seems like it depends on the mood of the hosting site per day lol.  16-20 photos of a new listing is just painful time wasted.

Nov 23, 2014 11:56 PM
Michele Milic
Realty ONE Group ~ 702.419.5359 - Las Vegas, NV

Thanks Craig. This is a big time saver. We are using online compression tool - Compressor.io - works great, reduces image size up to 90% without any visible reduction of image quality, however it does not have batch option. Optimizing listing pics can take a while. We'll definitely take a look at Irfanview.

Great little trick for mouse wheel....

May 16, 2015 04:30 AM