Photo editing gets a bad reputation. Some may try to convince you that a true photographer would never edit their photos. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear someone say, “That picture is obviously Photoshopped”! Probably not anything good.
The truth is nothing will turn a bad photo into a good one. If it’s too dark or too bright, there’s not enough information to salvage. If your subject’s not in focus, no amount of sharpening afterward will change that.
A big part of photo editing is choosing to let it go. Hit delete. Sure you may have 10 great pictures of your Aunt Sally’s new dress, but the internet only needs to see one, maybe two unless they’re all from different perspectives.
Editing a photo via software is little different than developing your own film except the software makes it easy. Posting photos straight out of the camera is fine, but chances are your photos may benefit from exposure or color correction, straightening and/or cropping.
Hover over (or click on) the example below to see how minor corrections can impact the final result. I straightened it out, cropped it and corrected the underexposure.
Free Online Editing Tools
Even if you have editing software installed on your computer, using an online editor can be handy, especially when you’re composing blog posts or sharing photographs when you’re away from home.
There are a number of fabulous, free photo editing tools available for you to try! The list below includes the more popular ones along with links to basic editing tutorials for the tool.
- Picnik. (Tutorial)
- Photoshop Express. (Video Tutorial)
- FotoFlexer. (Video Tutorials)
- Pixlr. (Complete Video Training)
If you’re using computer software to edit your photos, there are likely dozens of books, websites and video tutorials dedicated to help teach you how to use it. For a clean edit, you’ll want to learn where in the software or tool you can tweak the exposure, contrast/brightness, color (hue/tint/saturation) and sharpness.
Google is a great place to find what you’re looking for. If you need any help, leave a comment indicating the software you’re using and I’ll reply with some links to basic image editing tutorials for that tool.
Blog Boards and Collages
“How did you create that photo collage!?” I see this question posted almost as much as I see collages. Photo collages or “blog boards” made with software or online tools are a quick way to share several photos arranged appealingly. It’s really not some big, technical secret that only the in-crowd get to enjoy.
ANYONE can create a photo collage in minutes.
Free Online Collage Makers
- Big Huge Labs’ Mosaic Maker. Though inappropriately named, this is perhaps the most popular and easiest to use free online collage maker. You can choose from seven layout designs and customize the look before selecting the images you want to use. Not all layouts work well with all images, but I’ve had pretty good results overall. Here are a couple examples:
- Photovisi. This is a free tool, though you need to register to unlock some of the features. They offer about 80 different collage layouts, most of which resemble a digital scrapbooking page.
- Picture 2 Life.This tool will also allow you to edit your photos and add some effects to them. They have a collection of about 200 collage layouts to choose from.
Free Photoshop Templates
There’s a thing in Photoshop Elements called Clipping Masks, which make it easy to save and distribute collage templates for use. The CoffeeShop Blog contains a plethora of goodies for the software, including a whole section on Storyboard Templates. Rita at CoffeShop details how to use clipping masks to work with the templates.
You may also be interested in learning How to Create Your Own Storyboard Template.
There are lots of free resources. You can find them by Googling the name of the software plus “blog boards”, “storyboards” or “collage templates”.
A Blog Challenge!
Refer back to yesterday’s article on Composition and Perspective. If you haven’t yet, photograph a subject using a variety of compositions and perspectives. Take at least 20 photos, more is fine.
Edit your photos. Pick your best 3 photos, each showing a unique composition and/or perspective. If you want to apply any correction or creative editing via software or an online tool, go ahead.
Blog Your Photos. Use your photos in a blog post to enhance a story you’re telling. You can post the photos individually or in a collage.
If you already blogged your yesterday’s photos, you can either repeat the exercise or take another batch of 20 or so photos and select 3 to blog.
Link up in today’s Community Discussion Thread and tweet your links tagged #SITSpics!
The SITS Spring into Action Photo Challenge is a two week event designed to inspire your photography and help improve your blog with photos. Follow along in our Forums, #SITSPics on Twitter, our Flickr group and Facebook! It’s never too late to jump in!- Introduction: Join the Spring into Action Photo Challenge!
- Day 1: Composition and Perspective Photo Tips
- Day 2: Free Photo Editing and Collage Resources
- Day 3: Lighting Photo Tips
- Day 4: Social Networking Tips
- Day 5: YOUR Photo Tips
- Day 6: Lines and Repetition Photo Tips
- Day 7: Five Image Tips to Improve Your Blog
- Day 8: Color and Contrast Photo Tips
- Day 9: How to Protect Your Photos Online
- Day 10: Spring Into Action Photo Challenge Wrap-Up
That’s a subject I like! Nothing new, but a different perspective is awesome and I’m glad to hear all of the different websites for blog boards! I’m sure everyone will LOVE the links!
Emily Heizer Photography recently posted..FLASHBACK- 7-7-7
Twitter: greatfun4kids
says:
You forgot Photoscape! Photoscape is a free downloadable photo editing programme that is SO easy to use; you can edit photos in batches and apply watermarks, frames and filter effects, add text, speech balloons, and create all kinds of collages in hundreds of different layouts; resize photos and adjust exposure etc.
I have Photoshop and love it for fiddly designer-y stuff, but photoscape is the one I turn to for every blog post. I get so many comments… wow how do you do your collages? Where did you get those borders…?
Here’s a post I did with a bit about how to use Photoscape and the link to the free download… (its an excuse to get you to come over and visit me…!)
http://www.greatfun4kidsblog.com/2011/01/blog-tips-and-tricks-for-delicious-blog.html
Simone recently posted..Best Yummiest Easiest Tiramisu Ever
Thanks so much for this additional resource!
Lynda recently posted..You Are a Photographer
Thanks for the information Simone! I need all the help I can get!
Wow – Photoscape sounds really cool. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Meg @ A Dash of Nutmeg recently posted..Apple Blackberry Pie – Pi Day 2011
Thanks for the great online resources Lynda…and Simone, thanks for telling us about Photoscape. I’m gonna be checking them all out to find my favorites!
Jinny recently posted..I believe…in magic!
Im so inspired to play with my photos more, thanks so much for the links. Here we are only 2 posts in to this & I have gained so much already. I will also be checking out Simones link as well!!
Cheers
Trish recently posted..Keep Calm
Thanks for all the great tips and resources!
Jill Williams recently posted..Its Monday!
I love the collage sites, I have been wanting to do some collages.
Heather recently posted..SITS Challenge- Day Two
I love Picnik! I use it all the time and they also offer several different collage options.
Mrs. Mootz recently posted..Trump for President
I have used some of these sites before and am excited to check out more of them. Now I just have to figure out how I am going to use the photos I took in a post.
Tara recently posted..Winter Wrap-up
My photo collage story. I love it. I love this challenge. I did all my work off my iphone 4.
Tanya recently posted..Memories are Sweet
I use Photoshop Elements 9, but in a pinch I go to Picnik. I can’t tell you how many people I have mentioned Picnik to… then wish I hadn’t because they overedit their photos to crazy levels. Holga, Lomo, Blur until I don’t know what it’s a picture of anymore — so thanks for mentioning the light hand!
When I first started editing my photos, I overdid it. It’s really easy to go overboard before you learn how to use the tools.
I look at some of my older photos and shudder at the processing.
Lynda recently posted..You Are a Photographer
I have Adobe Photoshop CS5 but have no clue how to use it yet lol My go to for editing is Picnik, I LOVE this program! It’s free but well worth the small fee if you sign up for the premium version. I did not even think to check to see if it made collages though, and it does! Can’t wait for little man to nap later so I can get on there and get my collage on!
Kimberley recently posted..Scavenger Hunt Sunday
Twitter: multiplemama
says:
I am so excited to explore these new collage sites. Setting up photos is always a struggle for me!
Twitter: bestoffates
says:
I always wanted to be a collage photo blogger.
I just fear it’s not in me.
Megan (Best of Fates) recently posted..Lessons Learned From a Resurrectionist Those Not Involving Hooks
Awww, why not? The BigHugeLabs tool is super easy.
Lynda recently posted..You Are a Photographer
Thanks the resources are very helpful. I usually use Picasso for my collages but wouldn’t mind branching out. I own photoshop and photoshop books and promise I will watch the videos….I would love the results but still can’t seem to find the path that leads me to them. So darn complicated (for me). IPhoto editing program keeps getting better but what you can do it still pretty elementary.
Katybeth
Katybeth recently posted..Go For Broke Day!
Twitter: ConfettiStyle
says:
Thanks for sharing this great information. It will come in handy.
Twitter: osvme
says:
I didn’t get to take any photo’s yesterday… I took my son outside to play and it totally exited my thought(s). I could prolly do it today!
We’ll see…
Jenny recently posted..I’ve been shot!
Awesome post – this is so great, thank you! I’ve only just worked up the nerve to start taking more photos and playing with them. I just don’t know how! Any resources for Pixelmator? Will definitely play around with the ones you’ve noted here too.
MamaRobinJ recently posted..Party Like an Introvert
Cool! Hope I have some time to do this tomorrow. I was going to blog my results from the last challenge but hadn’t had the time.
kirsten recently posted..There are good people too
I am loving this weeks topic…
Adriana Iris Boatwright recently posted..Nine
Twitter: greenearthbazar
says:
I love using Picnik to edit my photos, but I’m certainly going to check out the other free links too. Thanks for the great photo tips!
Peace.
Michelle recently posted..Spring
I will try to do the challenges today.
Myne Whitman recently posted..D is for Dream Cast
I’m just catching up to this challenge, so I’ll use two recent posts to comment on… In a recent post – Bustin Out” I posted some pics from a very out-of-the-box perspective for me. I didn’t even look at what I was snapping – just worked with the angles a bit and shot.
My last post is about macro shots…also a very interesting perspective, but for me, one that always requires editing! I do about 80% of my editing in iPhoto, and then move anything I want to work on further to Photoshop. It did take a few classes in PS to really get to where I knew what I was doing, but it was definitely worth it. And, if you’re a student, you can get a really good educational discount!
Can’t wait for the next post/challenge!
Turtle recently posted..Macro Moment
I need to make a mood board for an assignment due on Thursday. This post is so timely! Thanks! I love collages though, just never had the time to do one. Now I just might…
trininista recently posted..The Letter D and Yummy Close Up Perspective
FastStone Image Viewer is also a free editing software that you can download to your computer. I have Lightroom, but I use FastStone almost always for cropping, resizing and adding text to my photos. It is super quick and easy to use.
Thanks for all the links.
Debby Pucci recently posted..LAST SUNDAYS TRIP TO CARLSBAD- CA
Twitter: Simplywebly
says:
I recently started learning on photoshop CS5 the one think I really would like to know how to do is to display my recipes Iike it was a recipe card. Any idea of free online app to do that?
I will give the exercise a try. I didn’t read yesterday’s post yet so time to catch up. Great free resources.
Web recently posted..Day 4- HealthMC “Spring Cleaning”
A bit late, but it’s worth it! I love the collage part of this exercise. I have never used these for blogs and I think they are great fun!!
Alicia (Tails of an Apronista) recently posted..PC Day 2 – Photo Editing
I’m really late today because Tuesday is one of my work days and I NEVER get on the computer . . . but I just had to try making a collage! I love it! I wish I had been able to get better pictures, though.
I’m enjoying all of the great tips! Thanks so much!
Janene recently posted..SITS Photo Challenge – Meatloaf Cupcakes
nice post..I appreciate it..For opportunities closer to home, begin your search by looking into your college’s network for alumni and affiliated companies who might be hiring interns. Or simply scour online job-hunting websites and local classified for firms looking for a summer worker. If that search turns up no results, then take matters quite literally into your own hands. Nothing speaks more about your determination than actually visiting local photography studios and galleries on foot, with a resume and your portfolio on hand.
I really appreciate these resources. As some of you know I just purchased a new camera and began using it this week. I stumbled up Microsoft photo editor that came with my computer and used it. Now I am going to try the free tools and editors mentioned in this post! This is very timely, it just makes me excited! Here are the latest pictures I took. They are beginner, so please be gentle: http://wp.me/p1tCFa-3t I can not wait to hear your feedback!
Chaplain Donna recently posted..Working on Monday- Starting My Own Business
Twitter: decondemand
says:
I love taking pictures but I just haven’t had time lately….
Marie Cole recently posted..Kitchen is Soooo DONE
I have had Paint Shop Pro for several years and I use it a lot for various things. But I discovered PhotoScape quite recently and fell in love with it. So easy to learn and use compared to PSP (though PSP will do much more than PhotoScape). I do digital photo editing for my Michael Jackson photo blog on Tumblr, as well as create digital collages and other digital images for my Art blog–all of which I have been using PhotoScape for. It’s just so easy and fun to use. I recommend it for anyone who wants a free program that is very versatile and easy to learn. They have video tutorials for lots of their features as well.
Tina recently posted..MJ Singing Magic Digital Sketch
Thank you for the great links! I downloaded Photoscape and use that ALL the time! Free and easy! What could be better, right? =) I’m going to check out some of those sites! Thanks.
Mimi @bigguysmama recently posted..Science Museum of Minnesota Social Science Event
I tried out Rita’s Coffee Shop Template and loved it! Learned a lot just from putting pics in a template. Thanks for these resources!
Jennifer recently posted..First Story Board Construction
Late to the party, but SO excited to see this post! I’m heading off to check out the Piknik tutorial.
Now I just need a Photo Organizing fairy to visit my home,and we’re all set.
Twitter: brittanestewart
says:
Thank you for this!! I’ve been wondering what I’m going to do without Picnik!
I use the google plus photo editing, but it doesn’t quite have everything I need.
Brittany Stewart recently posted..Creamy Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas – Recipe