How to Choose a Photo-Editing Program

By eHow Computers Editor

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With a photo-editing program, you can "fix" or change images acquired from a scanner, digital camera, or the Internet and print them, import them into another document, post them on a Web page and use them for desktop backgrounds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Photo-editing Programs

Step1
Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices.
Step2
Buy Adobe Photoshop if you need a professional program.
Step3
Look for a program that can directly import images from a scanner or digital camera.
Step4
See what a program's automatic image-correction feature will do.
Step5
Make sure the program can crop, resize, flip and rotate images.
Step6
Compare color adjustment capabilities of programs. You should be able to adjust contrast, brightness, sharpness, hues and color-saturation levels; change a color; and convert color to black-and-white or grayscale.
Step7
Compare artistic tools for painting, drawing and erasing, if you will use them.
Step8
See whether the program allows you to insert additional text and graphics.
Step9
Compare the quantity and quality of included templates, projects, and special effects "filters" if you will use them.
Step10
Look for basic desktop-publishing capabilities, such as the capability of printing multiple pictures on the same page, if you will use these capabilities.
Step11
See whether the program lets you preview changes and whether the preview is in a small box or done on the original image.
Step12
Compare export and output options. You should be able to save a photo in several graphics formats.
Step13
Compare the ease of using the various programs available.

Tips & Warnings

  • Basic programs are often bundled with scanners and digital cameras.
  • Complex, professional programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, are immensely powerful but are also difficult to use and expensive. If you're just going to be scanning photographs of your children and cleaning them up for a Web site, you're better off with a cheaper, simpler program.
  • Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any program you download or buy.

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eHow Article:  How to Choose a Photo-Editing Program

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

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