How to Choose The Best Photo Editing Software

The first step to choosing a photo editing program is determining what want to do to your photographs. This will depend on your level of skill and experience with editing programs. If you are an amateur and just want to “mess around,” you would just want the most basic photo-editing software. If you are an experienced user, you may want more features like creative effects. Next, you will need to decide on a budget. Photo-editing software can be quite expensive. If the software is for a student, find the academic versions. These versions will provide everything a student would need and they offer a very large discount.

Once you know what you need and the amount you can afford start comparing programs. Consult the following list to begin your research:

The Top 5 Photo-Editing Software Programs

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 is an easy to use program that offers a wide variety of features for both the beginner and the expert. Some of its more unique features include a beginner’s guided editor and online functions through adobe express.

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

For years, Paint Shop Pro has been and excellent choice for beginners and professionals alike. The easy to use interface makes it perfect for beginners and the reasonable price appeals to professionals. Paint Shop Pro X2 is almost as powerful as Photoshop Elements 7. However, it does not offer some of the less popular features.

Serif Photo Plus X2

This is the perfect program for someone just starting out editing photos. It is easy to use and offers sound assistance. The program contains all the necessary features for beginners but offers some of the more advanced features also. The beginner will not easily grow out of this program.

Ulead Photo Impact X3

This program is a little more difficult to use as Adobe Photoshop Elements 7. However, once the basics have been mastered the program becomes much easier to use. The program can be used in two modes – expressfix and full edit. Ulead Photo Impact X3 also has the ability to make web pages.

ACDSee Photo Editor 2008

This program combines photo editing, graphic design and presentation projects. It features How-To projects to help the novice learn some of the more complex features. However, it does not offer much in the way of sharing or organizing.

Photo Editor X

This is one of the best all-in-one photo editing software. It works well with digital images and photography. Great for beginners or professionals. It covers all the strengths and features of photoshop without the steep price tag.

Click here to download the best all-in-one photo editing software

The List Of The Best Photo Editor Features You Must Have

The technological advances today have literally changed the landscape of the photo world. The use of a top photo editing software program allows the user to manipulate and sometimes completely change photos.  With this type of software, a digital image can be touched up for a subtle change, or it can be completely overhauled for a completely different photo than you expect.

Many of the newer computer programs from Windows or Apple have photo editing tools that come standard with the program.  Windows XP has the elementary Paint tool and the helpful program called Picture And Fax Viewer.  Windows Vista and Windows 7 also come standard with a few updated programs for editing digital photos, Photo Gallery being the most popular.  Photo Gallery allows the user to perform such tasks as adjust the brightness and color of the photos, as well as eliminate red eye.

Although these photo editing programs are sufficient enough to do a good job, there are times when extra editing power is needed. After all, these stock programs are very basic and can only do basic adjustments. Each brand of software offers a unique experience in photo editing features and abilities.

One of the most recognizable names in photo editing is Adobe.
The introduction of Adobe Photoshop took digital imaging to a whole new level with features not found on other programs.  The most recent version of Photoshop, called Elements 9, has proven to be a very handy tool in photo editing.

 New features have been introduced in all photo editing programs that makes it even easier to use.   Photo Editorx offers features such as Before and After, a feature that lets the user see what happens to the image before committing to it. It shows the changes in the photo as it edits it.  This helps the user choose which editing is needed to get the results that are desired.

Another feature is being able to merge two or more photos into one. This feature can combine the images to make one better image.  An example would be changing faces in a photo to show a different facial expression.  Photomerge will align the faces to best suit the image instantly.  Photo Editorx has the ease and quality expected from the pros.

10 Street Photography Techniques – Tips and Tricks

Get streetwise and realize the photographic potential in your urban wonderland with these tips:

1. Less is more
In terms of what equipment you use, less if more. If you are wondering the streets of a city for hours and hours, you’ll want to cut down on the fatigue, so a good comfortable pair shoes and a comfortable camera strap should be used. Additionally, you’ll want to blend in to catch subjects unawares; setting up a tripod or using a telephoto lens won’t suggest subtlety.

2. Off the beaten track
Street photography is not the same as tourist photography so don't be afraid to experience whats happening off the beaten track and capture what is being done away from the busy hot spots. Going out at an unusual time will help you find great shots as street photography is not dependent on perfect light. You have no excuse not to go out early and stay out till late.

3. True colours
Colourful clothing or backgrounds can be a distraction in the picture when you want to concentrate on facial expression and gestures. For this reason it is good practice to use black and white. However, there will be opportunities where flashy and ugly colors collide and it may be a shame to try and convert these.

4. In the background
By paying attention to the background, you can catch some great visual effects and stolen moments. Watch for billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements that could be used to make funny, ironic or compelling statements.

5. What a performance
Street performers make ideal photo opportunities but try to capture them from a different viewpoint than you would expect. Whether it’s a parade, buskers, free runners, skateboarders or break dancers, they all offer something different to your average street scene. Play around with your compositions and choose a high shutter speed to capture the action.

6. Off the streets
Despite its name, the genre does lend itself to other recreation areas, especially those where people expect cameras to be present. For example, try the seaside, fairgrounds, parks, sporting events or the zoo.

7. New angle
Try laying down or getting on top of a building for an unusual angle. Multi level car parks are great for taking pictures from as there are no windows interfering and you can have full access to all the levels giving you a multilevel viewpoint of the same subjects. Make sure you and your camera are secured, the last thing you want is to drop your camera and hurt someone.

8. Practice makes perfect
With your camera ready, pick a spot that interests you and proceed with calmness, excitement and poise. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings and vantage points. With practice, you’ll only get better at  street photography.

9. Don't be afraid
A famous photographer once told me ‘If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.’ Shots taken in the middle of the action will draw the viewer in, so force yourself to press the button and prepare to deal with the consequences. Better that than regretting missing an opportunity that will never happen again.

10. Frozen Motion
Movement is the key part of capturing the human rat race, keep the shutter speeds fast and that hand steady or find something to support your camera. The fast shutter speed will also allow for a wider aperture to be used which will increase the depth of field of the subject. To capture people moving across the frame, a minimum of 1/125 sec is recommended and an ISO no slower than 400.

These are just a few of the many different tricks and styles that photographers will use to get unique photos.
For options on converting and changing colors within pictures you can try a good photo editing program.