Tutorial Tuesday: Images Sizes while Blogging

Have you ever noticed that it's challenging to get your images sizes to be the same width while blogging? And don't you think it's nice when you look at a blog where all the images are the same size? Well I'm going to help you out. Below you will find photo instructions for Blogger, and a bit of quick math for anyone else. Here we go:

First, you need to determine what size (in pixels) you want your images to be. This takes a little trial-and-error where you type in numbers into the HTML code and then Preview the post to see what size you want. My images are always 465 pixels wide. 

Since I want my images to end up being 465 pixels wide, I need to know that my original photo will be at least 465 or higher. To check the dimensions of a photo, you can right click it and Mac users select "Get Info", Windows select "Properties". This can also be done in Photoshop by checking your Image Size. If the image is smaller than your desired number, you probably want to find a bigger image.

Insert your image using the little image icon.

One by one, click on your images and select "Original Size"--this will make the images the biggest size possible without compressing the size (in other words, your resolution--the clarity of your image--will remain intact).

Unlike the "Small", "Medium", or "Large" options, "Original Size" does not include the pixel dimensions. You will have to add them yourself--and the great thing is that you only need to add the width--the height will be calculated for you! 

Click on the "Edit HTML" tab at the top right of the posting box. It will show you a lot of lines of HTML code. For each image, you want to find the <img/> command (highlighted above). Within that line, you can type in the following command: width="465" . I have highlighted it. Spaces don't matter in HTML code, so just make sure you have it within the <img/> line.

Do this for each image, and return to the "Compose" tab. They should all be the same size! Blogger users, you're done!

Now, there may come a time when you will have to calculate your own pixel dimensions (Wordpress, Typepad, Photobucket, etc). For this, there is a simple formula that will maintain the ratio of your image, thus keeping the clarity of your image. Get out your bifocals and pocket protectors, here we go....

If the dimensions of your original image are 500 by 700, but you know you need your width to be 465, all you have to do is find out what your new height will be. To do this, multiply the original height by the desired width, and divide by the original width. 

In other words, multiply 500 x 465 and divide by 700. This gives you 332.143, your new height. 

Still with me? Once you have the new height and width, all you have to do in your "Edit HTML" tab is insert the command: height="332.143" width="465" within the <img/> line.

I hope this helps! (Feel free to leave a comment below to let me know if this has been helpful or if it's just balls crazy!)

♥ Shannon

Have you met Mervi?

You might have noticed the large sponsor button to the right in my sidebar. Mervi from My Best Friend Jules has the prettiest blog! (Which makes sense because she's also a designer.)

 All of her posts are beautifully curated, with great photography, exciting images, and fun fonts. I happen to adore her "Jewelry I heart today" posts, like this one, this one, oh, and this one:

I strongly suggest you go check out her lovely blog immediately and say hello!

♥ Shannon

28 Before 28

It's that time again, folks. Another birthday come and gone, so here is my new list for the year. I have until August 10, 2012--wish me luck! 28 Things To Do Before 28:

1. Learn to play guitar

2. Dance performance
3. Set the Date! (Like, seriously set the date.)
4. Find a great vegan hot dog
5. Make a dress
6. Write a screenplay
7. Make a demo reel

8. Make a paper flower
9. Go to a flea market
10. Go surfing
11. Visit a foreign country

12. Create a short film

 13. Make an acting website

14. Have afternoon tea with Matthew
15. Invent a delicious new cocktail

16. Find the perfect camera bag
17. Complete 5 items on the Vegan Bucket List
18. Submit to agents
19. Scrapbook
20. Fill up green sketchbook

21. Knit a scarf
22. Create a daily yoga practice
23. Ride bike to the library
24. Buy striped fabric
25. Go camping
26. Join a union
27. Paint something fun
28. Go on a Sister Date

Ambitious? Yes indeed! It's going to be a fun year (life changing, you might say)!!

PS: Wanna peek at last year? Here is my 27 Before 27!

♥ Shannon

iPhone Photo Apps

Hello friends. I've been having fun playing with the photo apps on my iPhone 4. It really has great photo capabilities--and as Matthew always says, the best camera is the one you have with you. So here are some of my favorites:

So, these are the apps in my photo folder. Today, I'll talk about Camera+, Diptic, Pixlr-o-matic, and of course Instagram.

Camera+ is great for photo editing. It allows you to crop, color correct, add fun borders, and apply effects. It also has a built-in photo capture capability that allows you to focus and adjust the exposure.

Camera+ costs $.99, and the Analog Effects folder is an additional $.99. Totally worth it.

Pixlr-o-matic is another great photo-editing app. It has so many great vignettes and frames that it is often challenging to select a favorite! Bonus: it's free!

Diptic is a fun app with built-in layouts so you can have two images in the same picture. It lets me mix things up, and I'm into it. Cost is $1.99 ($300 phone, no problem, but a $2 app--outrageous!) but it's worth it.

Diptic photos always come out square, which is great because that's the format Instagram posts in.

Ah, Instagram--my new favorite pastime. It allows you to zoom and crop photos (always in a square), and apply 15 styles to your photographs. It's an easy photo-sharing app that will also link to your Twitter, Facebook, and more. It's free and joyous--highly recommended.

So go forth, capture some memories, and post them for the world to see!

Do you use any of these? What do you think of them? And what other apps do you like?

♥ Shannon

What I Wore

Hello loves!

I'm in the forests of Idaho for the month and I think I'm already seeing the last warm days. Soon I'll be donning warmer clothes, but until then, I'm enjoying my sundresses!

Outfit Details: Dress, Belt, Bracelets: Forever21; Ballet Flats: BP via Nordstrom; Messenger Bag: Mossimo

For this look I paired the dress with a simple belt and ballet flats. It's a perfect outfit for a nature walk on a warm day because it breathes easy and the ballet flats are quite comfy. I wore my hair loose and natural which, combined with the canvas bag, kept the outfit casual.

♥ Shannon

Obsessed

I am in serious love with this look found on Mode Ave. Paris--the backless dress, the necklace, the cocktail rings...LOVE.

Know what I mean?

♥ Shannon

Happy September!

Is it just me, or is there a promise of crisp weather in the air? I just pulled out my boyfriend blazer for the first time since early spring. I think I'm liking it!

September is an exciting month here at Little Luck Tree. To start, have you seen, for the first time ever, my lovely sponsors? Check them out--I think you'll be pleased! Also, this month marks the beginning of fall--and, with fall, Little Luck Tree's one year blogiversary!! Get ready for tutorials, fall recipes, and giveaways!

I have a lot planned, but please feel free to leave a comment below with any special requests.

I'm so excited to celebrate with you!

♥ Shannon