I love taking pictures. Unfortunately, my passion for photography doesn’t prevent me from making common errors. I often snap shots that fail when it comes to focus, lighting or composition. Fortunately, in this era of advanced photo editing, I can salvage some of my sorriest shots. Photo editing software has saved me one more than one occasion. In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that I can employ editing tools on my home computer, I would have likely given up on photography a long time ago. In addition, if I had to pay big bucks for the opportunity to … Continue reading →

High-tech tools are making it harder and harder to miss photo opps. Today, you can find smartphones that are equipped with the same mechanics featured in upscale digital cameras. BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Pre and HTC Touch, are just a few handheld gadgets that allow people to keep in touch with family and friends and shoot incredible photos at the same time. However, these high-tech devices aren’t the only inventions created to aid shutterbugs. Free photo organization and editing tools are also part of the package, including: Photo Session: Recently, Flickr unveiled a social image-sharing app called Photo Session. The app … Continue reading →

Do you over edit your photos? One of the advantages of digital photography is the capability to alter and improve the overall look of your pictures. Photo editing software allows amateur shutterbugs access to tools designed to crop, eliminate red-eye, reduce shadows, manipulate brightness, and much more. However, there are times when I have gone overboard in the editing department and ended up with an image that was far worse than the original I was trying to fix. Whether you are resizing, adding highlights, adjusting contrast and saturation or working with different tones, it’s best to preview the image before … Continue reading →

My daughter’s swimming photos have never looked so good. It will be a summer to remember indeed, thanks to my friend and her new photo editing software. Last week my 6-year-old was showing off her gymnastics skills at our neighborhood pool. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and cellphone at home, so I wasn’t able to capture her splashtastic moves. Enter our friend and neighbor Kim, who didn’t waste any time snapping shots of my daughter’s flips, jumps, twists and turns. When she was done shooting the impromptu session, Kim mentioned that she would email the results, so that I could … Continue reading →

They aren’t cheap, but boy, are they worth the money. I’m referring to photo editing software programs, and if you own a decent brand, then you probably agree that they are priceless tools to have when your photography skills are not on the same level as Ansel Adams’. In a previous blog I spoke about the Lexus of photo editing software, Photoshop. It features more special effect photo editing options than the average shooter will ever need. In fact, I know some pros, who own Photoshop, and even they have yet to discover all the gems the software offers. I … Continue reading →

I’ve been lusting after Adobe Photoshop software since it debuted in 1988. Yet, like my long-lost love, the Dyson, we have yet to join forces. Of course, even if I had the money in 1988 to purchase the popular photo-editing software, I would have had to upgrade by now. Since its debut, Photoshop has been revised more than 10 times. In October 2008, the 11th major release of Adobe Photoshop took place and along with the upgrades came a name change, from Adobe Photoshop 8 to Adobe Photoshop CS. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the software, it’s … Continue reading →

For smart phones like the iPhone and Android phones, you can usually do all your editing right on the phone using an app that you download from the App Store or the Android Market. If you don’t have one of these popular phones, though, and you want to make your phone pictures look a little better, you can always load them onto your computer and use regular photo editing software. You don’t need expensive software to give your cell phone pictures a boost. Today I tried out Picnik.com, and I have to say, you can do a whole lot with … Continue reading →

I know scores of women who would go gaga if their significant other suggested they book a professional photo session to document their love for one another. In most cases guys shy away from posing for the camera, and wouldn’t dream of spending big bucks to hire a pro shutterbug to snap him kissing and cuddling his sweetheart—-even on Valentine’s Day. However, subtract some clothing and his tune might change on a dime. Boudoir photography, which includes intimate images of couples, is a very popular genre. It is intended to be sexy and sensual, but not in a raunchy way. … Continue reading →

The right photo editing program can be a lifesaver if you struggle to take frame worthy shots. What’s more, photo editing software can also be a blessing for photo subjects, who avoid the camera at all costs, because of perceived physical shortcomings. Got bags under your eyes, a missing tooth, or a face full of pimples? Basic photo editing software can erase these flaws with a simple click of a mouse. In addition, the high-tech programs can whiten teeth, reduce oily complexions and fix red-eye. The possibilities to improve a photo subject’s appearance are practically limitless with today’s software. Another … Continue reading →