I do n’t consider myself peculiarly kitschy , but it hap to me latterly that I ’m in my ninth year of writingDigital Focus . My first egress , right smart back in 2001 , was about take your digital tv camera underwater .
I am thankful that many of you find value in my hebdomadal photo tips and john , and I know from e - mail that at least some of you have been readingDigital Focusfor about the whole time . Since I spend so much time excuse photo edit proficiency likeworking with layersand remove backgrounds from photo , it ’s important that you’re able to utilize what I spell about into your own life , using your software . Consequently , I recently askedDigital Focusreaders tovote on their favorite photo editing softwareto facilitate me select which program to utilize as a guide when explaining pic editing techniques .
Some Poll Caveats
Before I get to the event , let me guide out that no matter which program I write about , you may apply the ecumenical instructions that I give inDigital Focusto any exposure editor . The specific menu commands and keystroke might vary from programme to program , but in principle you may apply all the stuff I talk about to nigh any good photo redaction program without a lot of trouble .
The Photo Editing Poll
On to the results ! With over 1200 votes in , Adobe Photoshop Elements is the clear succeeder , preferred by reader 62 percent of the time . The next most democratic photo editor in chief is Corel Paint Shop Pro , with 27 percent of the votes .
Of naturally , these are far from the only photo editing programs available . Two free downloads – rouge . NET and GIMP – have a very vocal lover base ( at least in theDigital FocusComments and my Es - mail inbox ) , so I included those broadcast in the poll as well . GIMP garnered 8 percent of the voting , and Paint . NET had the last 3 percent .
Free Alternatives to Photoshop
All too often you get what you pay for , so there ’s beneficial reason to head clear of barren computer software . Butfreeis not a dirty word in the world of photo editing : There are a slew of first-class programme that wo n’t be you a penny .
I ’ve recommended Windows Live Photo Gallery many times , for good example . The replacement to the Photo Gallery political program that total with Windows Vista , Windows Live Photo Gallery has a photo organizer , basic photograph editing , and one of the best bird’s-eye stitching tools in the worldly concern .
As a pocket-size U. S. Army of rooter will attest , GIMP is a superb Photoshop surrogate . The fact that it ’s gratuitous is fairly nifty , as is its comprehensive regalia of features . It ’s an intimidating program to learn , though ; many family , myself included , incur the user interface a bit intimidating .
promiscuous to learn is Paint . NET , a powerful picture editor program that started as an undergraduate college fourth-year designing project mentored by Microsoft . Today , it ’s a visually sensational and promiscuous - to - use program that match many commercial alternatives .
FastStone Image Viewer might have a humble name , but it ’s in reality a portion more than just a picture viewer . FastStone provide a chain of simple photo redaction cock , like ruby-red - eye remotion , cropping , and semblance adjustments ( not unlike Windows Live Photo Gallery ) .
require more innocent photo redaction options ? In the next couple of week I ’ll be introducing you to even more loose pic delicacy .
Hot Pic of the Week
Get put out , get famous ! Each workweek , we select our favorite reader - submitted photograph based on creativity , originality , and proficiency .
Here ’s how to accede : send off us your photographin JPEG data formatting , at a resolve no higher than 640 by 480 pixel . entry at higher resolution will be immediately disqualified . If necessary , use an image redaction syllabus to come down the file cabinet sizing of your figure before e - mailing it to us . let in the championship of your picture along with a short description and how you photographed it . Do n’t blank out to ship your name , e - ring armour savoir-faire , and postal address . Before entering , please read the full description of thecontest rules and regulations .
This workweek ’s Hot Pic:“The Rocket ’s Red Glare ” by Bob Davidson , Peoria , Arizona Bob enounce : “ This is a photograph of an elusive desert cactus heyday called the Argentine Giant , which blossoms in other spring in the evening and lives for only one day . It is also the official prime of the United States Department of State of Arizona . I decided that the real beauty of the bloom come from underneath . With the atomic number 27 profane skies that we have here , it makes for an almost loyal display . I used a Canon XSI without flash . ”
This week ’s runner - up:“Morning Has Broken ” by Gary L Sprague , New Kensington , Pennsylvania Gary captured this picture with a Nikon CoolPix P90 and enhance the color in Photoshop Elements .
To see last calendar month ’s winners , visit theApril Hot Pics coast show . Visit theHot Pics Flickr galleryto browse past winners .
