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Step 1
Open an existing image. Click on "File," then "Open" or click on the folder icon in the toolbar to find the file. Alternatively, if you'd like to create a new image with the drawing tools, you can create a new image with the "File," then "New" dialog or click on the new file icon in the toolbar.
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Step 2
Add layers to the image. If you're going to be drawing new things on top of the image, you'll want to create a new image layer. Think of layers as a number of transparent pieces of paper stacked together. You can manipulate any layer of the image--any transparent piece of paper in the stack-- without disturbing the other layers. Click on the "Add New Layer" button in the "Layers" dialog on the bottom right of the screen to add a layer.
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Step 3
Add text to the image. Text can be used to add captions of other informative text to an image. Click on the text tool in the "Tools" dialog on the left side of the screen. You can choose your font, font size and other options on the toolbar. Click on the image where you'd like the text to go and start typing.
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Step 4
Move a layer. Now that you have something drawn onto your new layer, you can move that layer around relative to the layers above and below it. Click on the "Move Selected Pixels" tool in the Tools dialog. Make sure the layer you want to move is selected in the "Layers" dialog on the bottom right and click and drag it anywhere on the image to move the layer.
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Step 5
Undo a mistake. Sooner or later you'll make a mistake. To undo the last action, click on "Edit," "Undo" or hit "Ctrl+Z." Some programs, like Paint.net, support an unlimited amount of undos, so you can keep undoing your action until you arrive at the original image. Alternatively, you can explode the undo actions with the "History" dialog at the right of the screen.
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Step 6
Correct colors. Color correction is a very useful tool for digital photography. Correct color correction can make the colors of a photograph really pop. To correct or enhance the colors, click on "Adjustments," "Brightness/Contrast" or "Hue/Saturation." Color adjustment is a subjective process, so you'll need to play with the values until the photograph looks "right."
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Step 7
Apply effects. Image editing programs come with a number of effects available to quickly alter an image. Explore the "Effects" menu and select an effect. Some effects will require you to select some values from a dialog, while others will apply themselves automatically. If you don't like the effect, undo the action to go back.
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Step 8
Save the image. This step requires a little thought. When you save as a .jpg or .png file, the image's layers will all "merge" into one. This means that when you open the image again, the image will have only one layer. If you wish to keep the layers for future editing, save the image as a .pdn file by clicking on "File," then "Save." These files cannot be opened in web browsers or email clients though, so you may want to save as a .jpg or .png file also by clicking on "File" then "Save As."
