...When I upload crystal-clear photos only to have them appear grainy on UER.

Here's my dilemma. I post process all of my photos in Photoshop CS6 (I shoot in raw) and the file sizes are apparently too large to post to this site, because the quick gallery creator always fails. So what I've been doing is decreasing the image size by about 500 pixels, and then saving the files at quality 11/12. These images still appear to be high quality, but when I upload them to the site they turn out quite a bit noisier (especially the low-light ones) than they do on my computer.

It's really not that big of a deal, but a majority of the other threads i look at seem to have superior image quality. So...

1. What is your typical post-processing routine? Do you shoot in raw?
2. What should I do differently whilst uploading my shots?

These are good questions. I shoot in RAW, and after post-process, i upload to Flickr and then link them to here. What am i doing wrong (besides having a shitty beginner camera)?!

In response to your second query, save as JPEG using Quality of 12.

Uploading to UER, you will lose some quality. I'm not sure what component UER uses but the standard seems to be ASPJPEG which leaves a bit to be desired. A workaround for this is to upload to Flickr and embed the BBCODE into the forum.

Alternatively you can upload to your own site and link to the image using the image icon (the 10th icon from the left, in the editor you typed your original post using).

Alternatively you can use www.tinypic.com and embed the code into the editor.

Good luck

Shoot Raw
Post Process in Lightroom 5
Export JPG
Upload to Flickr

Then when I share images here i grab the URL from Flickr (go to image page > click download > view all sizes > click desired size > copy image URL)

Then when I'm here I use the BBCode img tags to post them here.

Sounds like it's just UER that's reducing image quality for me, as i originally assumed. Oh well!

I use flickr and have no issues when I link them here.

Why even give a shit? The same eleven assholes are gonna go "wow, cool pic" no matter how shitty it looks. Gotta love yer fan base.
Trust me, I know!

Host the images anywhere other than UER and you'll get better quality. Personally I like to upload the images to my own web server.

Posted by Radical_Ed Why even give a shit? The same eleven assholes are gonna go "wow, cool pic" no matter how shitty it looks. Gotta love yer fan base. Trust me, I know!

yup.

Is your image resolution being reduced in the resizing process? Had this problem when I bulk resized a load of photos and didn't see the resolution had been changed to 72ppi.

Posted by DJ Craig Host the images anywhere other than UER and you'll get better quality. Personally I like to upload the images to my own web server.

I agree with Craig and the others that suggest that you host your photos on a non-UER server whether that's TinyPic, Flickr, or a separate server. When I'm lazy I just upload pictures to TinyPic, let it resize the picture, and use the provided BB link. Unfortunately TinyPic is now so full of pop-up advertising that I hate using it. For other pictures I resize in my photo editor, upload to one of the servers that host my websites, then add the image link in my post. The second method provides you with complete control of your image.

Abby Normal

My flow:

Shoot jpg (gasp!)
Post Process in CS5.1
Save at full size jpq (quality 12) to "Keepers" folder
Reduce dimensions to smaller web appropriate size (quality 12) to "Web_keepers" folder
Upload "Web_keepers" to Flickr
Copy Flickr's share BBCode and paste in post here.

Can there be some kind of sticky for how to post photos here without using the uploader. Seems like this question comes up every couple months.

Posted by skatchkins My flow: Shoot jpg (gasp!) Post Process in CS5.1 Save at full size jpq (quality 12) to "Keepers" folder Reduce dimensions to smaller web appropriate size (quality 12) to "Web_keepers" folder Upload "Web_keepers" to Flickr Copy Flickr's share BBCode and paste in post here.

Satch. I'm surprised you shoot j peg. Then process in p shop. Curious as to your thoughts process? You loose out on a bunch of latitude and malleablility that way.

Posted by randomesquephoto Satch. I'm surprised you shoot j peg. Then process in p shop. Curious as to your thoughts process? You loose out on a bunch of latitude and malleablility that way.

Right? But yes it's true.
For every argument that I've seen saying that RAW is the only way to shoot professionally, I've read one saying the difference is negligible to indeterminable.

I've found with my own work, it makes no difference. From all my posted stuff, to 18x24 framed prints, magazine publishing, and a secret book, there is no noticeable difference between raw and jpg.

It's easier for me too. I don't fill cards/drives too fast and I'm proficient in PS since I use it for some of my work-work (home graphic design business).

I don't join in the argument, but then again no one knows I am a closet jpg shooter either

TL;DR I am comfortable with my process and no one can tell.

Posted by randomesquephoto Can there be some kind of sticky for how to post photos here without using the uploader. Seems like this question comes up every couple months.

Possibly... I'll look into this.

Posted by DJ Craig Possibly... I'll look into this.

Here is one http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=60002

He's got all ways, including the uploader.

+1 for using an image hosting service like Flickr. However, Flickr will change your links if you ever moved folders/collections, etc. = broken links here. I propose Smugmug because you can re-organize/re-upload all you want without links changing. Yes, it costs money...but it's superior.

Workflow:
Lightroom-->Lightroom's Smugmug Publish Plugin-->"Embeddable Links" from Smugmug's Share/Get a Link button