FriendshipGarden

GardenTalker · Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject: Photo Editing Tools

Stop me if you've heard this one:

http://tech.msn.com/downloads/articlepcw.a...umentid=5915039

14 Downloads (Including Freebies) for Your Digital Photography Tool Kit

Are you a digital photographer? These days, aren't we all? In any case, downloads can make digital photography a lot more fun--and a lot more productive.
Plenty of downloads can help manage your photo collection, perform editing magic, share your images with others in photo albums and slide shows, resize your photos, and much more. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to take red-eye out of your kids' photos or to preserve memories in albums, or a pro in need of powerful image-enhancement and editing tools, we have something here for you.
Photo editing tools
Need to clean up your photos, remove red-eye from portraits, perform gamma correction, or add special effects? Lots of software offerings can help. Our list includes tools for amateurs and pros alike.

The Gimp
When you think of open-source software, you might think of half-baked programs that lack power and are too hard for normal folks to use. Well, think again. This open-source image editor packs a surprising amount of power and is well-designed, if a bit eccentric in layout. Even though it's free, it compares favorably to the power of Photoshop, and it includes many of the kinds of editing features you can find in Adobe's program, including filters, effects, masks, and layers.
Of course, it has the basic tools you'd expect in a photo editor, such as red-eye removal, but it offers plenty more beyond those. If you're looking for professional-level photo editing but you don't want to spend a bundle--or even a penny--this is the program for you.
Download The Gimp| Price: free

Photo Pos Pro
With photo editors, usually you can have one of two choices--either simple or powerful. As a general rule, the more simple the interface, the more basic the program, and the more powerful the program, the more complicated the interface. Photo Pos Pro does a great job of balancing power and usability. The interface is clean and simple, with all of the editing tools laid out neatly along the sides and the top of the main screen, which shows your photo. Hover your mouse over an icon, and a balloon tip will tell you exactly what it does, although in many instances the icon is self-explanatory.

The array of editing tools in Photo Pos Pro is mind-boggling. Every automatic-editing tool you could want is right there, from the basics (such as red-eye reduction) to advanced functions that automatically sharpen or blur images, make them warmer or cooler, add frames and special effects, and do many other tricks. You get drawing tools as well, plus the ability to work in layers. If you want powerful editing tools within easy reach, this application is a great choice.