Wanted to show a little bit of post-processing and optimization without losing detail.

The original image started at: 2.61MB

Resized to 700x525 (I use Constrain Proportions, Resampled using Bicubic), after all the processing was done.

Image > Adjustments > Levels > RGB > Input Levels > 0, 1.04, 235 > Output Levels set at default.

Neat Image (plugin through PSCS) used for noise reduction and sharpening > Auto profile. The following Noise Filter Settings are in exact order as on the Interface, going from the top to the bottom.

Noise Levels: 60%, 60%, 55%, 15%, 80%, 110%

Noise Reduction Amounts: 95%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 100%, 100% > CHECK-Boxes: Very Low Frequency, High Quality and High Resolution.

Sharpening Settings: CHECK-Boxes: Y, Cr, Cb and Conservative > 85%, 120%, 200%

Checked in Neat Image Preview, then Applied.

In Regular PSCS again:

Saved As: Baseline Optimized (Didn't close image, but went straight to next item - just make sure to use different name for saved for web!)
Then Saved for Web: JPEG: Optimized, Quality 80 (Very High), No Blur, No Matte, No Progressive.

Original Image: 2.61MB > Saved Optimized: 192K (!) > Saved for Web Optimized: 83.3K (!!)

Saved for Web Optimized: download rate: 31 seconds @ 28.8kbps.

Reminder: In PSCS, Saved As keeps your EXIF info, Saved for Web does NOT!

I upload for my personal galleries the Saved As image, edit the image and put all the info to it, save that, then I upload image replacement with the Saved for Web image. This keeps all my EXIF data, plus Title, captioning, etc., while allowing me to use better file size. :-)

Hope this helps. Thanks Toya for letting me play with your photo!

Christine Hudnall