In addition to fiber art and printmaking, I'm a graphics artist and owner of several websites - all of which use quantities of images. One of my main concerns is image download time. I'm also "software frugel"!! I'd rather spend my $$ on threads than computer toys when possible.
There's a list of great freeware graphics programs and resources on my Links page at Art 4 the Web.. You may find a numer of useful items there.
Among them is an unliscensed "freeware" version of JPeg Wizard... an astounding small program that will "optimize" a .jpg image without compromising quality. It's reputed to be the only optimizing software that accomplishes this. Note, however, that this is true only if you don't get greedy - I recommend it be left at default settings. I've been merrily using it for years - it usually improves download time by 20-45%. All of the images on this site have been "wized."
While I'm busy beating my own drum, here's a list of design tips I've picked up over the years from some eminent teachers including Constance Howard and Wilcke Smith. Others I've come up with by necessity by living far from a major shopping area.
There's a list of great freeware graphics programs and resources on my Links page at Art 4 the Web.. You may find a numer of useful items there.
Among them is an unliscensed "freeware" version of JPeg Wizard... an astounding small program that will "optimize" a .jpg image without compromising quality. It's reputed to be the only optimizing software that accomplishes this. Note, however, that this is true only if you don't get greedy - I recommend it be left at default settings. I've been merrily using it for years - it usually improves download time by 20-45%. All of the images on this site have been "wized."
While I'm busy beating my own drum, here's a list of design tips I've picked up over the years from some eminent teachers including Constance Howard and Wilcke Smith. Others I've come up with by necessity by living far from a major shopping area.