I would suggest that the reason it fits on your screen is because the program you are opening it with is automatically scaling it to do so.
For example if you open it in Adobe Photoshop you need to look at the top of the screen on the blue bar. It will say something like:
Adobe Photoshop - (image name) @ 25%
The figure 25% is a guess but is about correct for an image of the size you describe. What it is saying is that you are viewing it at 25% of its actual size.
If you go to the top line of Adobe you will see the drop down menus in this order:
File Edit Image Layer Select Filter View Window Help
to see it at it's real size click on View - select Actual Pixels from the drop down list.
Sorry if the following is a bit basic but I will assume you have no knowledge of how to use Photoshop (apart from opening it!)
In adobe photoshop one way (of many) of resizing it is to do the following::
1 - From top Menu Click on Image - select Image Size from drop down list. A box will appear
If you are using a 14 or 15 inch monitor it is probably set at a resolution of 1024*768 pixels - therefore
2 - in the top half of the box you have the picture dimensions in pixels - type 1024 into the width box. The height will change automatically to 768.
3 - Now got to File - Save as - you will get a pop up box.
4 - Type in a name in the file name box and a destination (folder, desktop etc) in the save in box at the top of the pop up menu.
5 - Press enter or hit save
A box will appear called "jpeg options"
6 - Under image options, select image quality high instead of maximum.
7 - Press OK or hit enter
this will result in a new image of the same proportions but around the 110Kb size (based on your stated 1.3Mb file).
One note:
To keep the photo proportions constant i.e. ratio of length to height always make sure that in step 2 above the Constrain Proportions box at the bottom of the pop up options is ticked -try toggling it of and on and you will see a little grey 'zipper' icon to the right of 'pixel dimensions' and 'document size' you want this to be visible i.e. on and the photo will keep its proportions constant.
Bear in mind that if it is to be used only on a computer screen and not printed, you can knock the quality right down to small in step 6 and there will be no visible degradation on the screen - however doing this may cause issues if the person wishes to print it.
If you wish to send it to someone who may want to print it, in step 2 it might be worth changing the size using the Document size feature, remembering that a standard sized photograph from a developing booth/shop is 6 inches by 4 inches - therefore 6 inches is what you would put in the length - inches can be selected from the adjacent drop down menu
Last edited by anotherthing; 12th December 2007 at 12:15.