How to Edit a Photo in Picasa

After taking the perfect photo, you can make it better using Picasa.

Google's Picasa is an image management tool that allows you to organize photos and share them online. The program also comes with editing tools that allow you to perform a variety of image enhancement and correction tasks. For example, by manipulating a few buttons or sliders, you can correct an over-exposed photo, enhance its color saturation and get rid of redeye. You cannot paint using Picasa, but you may find its editing tools useful for enhancing digital images.

Instructions

Install Picasa

1. Visit the Picasa website and click the "Download Picasa" button on the right side of the page. The site will prompt you to save the installation file.

2. Save the file to your hard drive and double-click the installation file when the download finishes.

3. Follow the instructions as the setup wizard guides you through the installation process.

Launch Picasa

1. Click your Start menu and type "Picasa."

2. Locate the "Picasa" icon that appears at the top of the search results list.

3. Click the icon to launch the program.

Load an Image

1. Press "Ctrl" + "O." The "Open File" window opens. You will see your hard drive's folders and files in this window.

2. Locate an image file you would like to edit and double-click it. A small version of the file will appear at the bottom of the user interface. Double-click that image to enlarge it.

3. Locate the tools panel on the left side of the user interface. It has three tabs: "Basic Fixes," "Tuning" and "Effects." The "Basic Fixes" tab is useful for correcting image problems. You can use its tools to perform such tasks as correcting redeye, altering contrast and straightening.

Apply Basic Enhancements

1. Click the "Basic Fixes" tab and review the tools on that tab. Click the "Auto Contrast" tool. Picasa will correct the image's contrast and brightness automatically.

2. Click the "Auto Color" tool to correct the image's color problems.

3. Click the "Text" tool, and then type text on the image and Picasa will add the text to the image. Set font type, font size, color and other text properties by changing those values in the "Edit Text" panel.

Tune the Image

1. Click the "Tuning" tab at the top of the tools panel to display the tuning tools. These tools allow you to tweak an image's highlights, shadows and color temperature. The tuning tools consist of a set of sliders that you can move from left to right.

2. Click and hold the "Highlights" slider. Drag it to the right and note how the highlights in the image get brighter. Adjust the slider until you are satisfied with the results. The highlighter is good for making white colors in a photo brighter and more vibrant.

3. Slide the "Color Temperature" tool to the right to produce warmer colors. Slide it to the left to tone down colors that are too vibrant.

4. Perform the same task using the "Shadows" slider. As you move this slider to the right, Picasa intensifies the image's shadows and dark areas. Use this tool to add more contrast and depth to an image.

Add Effects

1. Click the "Effects" tab and review the available special effects. These include "Sharpen," "Glow," "Soft Focus" and "Tint." Click the "Sepia" effect. Picasa will apply a warm sepia tone to the image.

2. Click the "Glow" effect. This creates a glow effect that makes the lighter areas of the photo brighter. After you select that effect, sliders appear on the left side of the user interface. The "Intensity" slider lets you control the effect's intensity. The "Radius" slider allows you to set effect's shining radius. Adjust those sliders to create the effect you like.

3. Press "Ctrl" + "S" to open Picasa's "Save As" window. Type a name for your modified image file in the "File Name" text box and click "Save."

Tips & Warnings

• A good way to liven up a flat, dull photo with little contrast is to spend a little time experimenting with the "Highlights" and "Shadows" tools located on the "Tuning" tab. Adjust both sliders until the photo displays good contrast, lighting and shadow depth.

References

• Google Picasa: "Effects" Tab Features - Picasa Help
• Google Picasa: Editing Pictures - Picasa Help

Resources

• Google Picasa: Picasa - Free Download From Google