Free or Inexpensive Photo Editing Software

Use photo editing software to optimize stock photos or images from your digital camera.

Crop, compress, resize, add caption text for advertising or display purposes, etc...

The best part is that you can download some high quality FREE graphic editors on the Net.

This page provides links to notable image editing software that I have personally used and recommend.

Browse the features to find the most suitable software for your needs...

PhotoFiltre : PhotoPlus : Paint.NET : GraphicConverter (Mac)

PhotoFiltre (Windows)

A powerful, simple to use image converter. The basic features of this application will serve many small Web publishers' needs.

Strongest Features

• Resize images without distortion
• Add borders and drop shadows
• Rotate and skew images
• Add text - Several fonts and features like drop shadow, opacity

Weaknesses

• Does not support layers

Go to PhotoFiltre download site.

PhotoPlus 6 (Windows)

Reminiscent of PhotoShop, this dynamic photo editing software is useful for manipulating multiple images, as it supports layers. For resizing stock photos or images from your digital camera, this is NOT the best choice.

Strongest Features

• Photo enhancement (fog, smudge, airbrush, red-eye removal, etc.)
• Add text, with drop shadows and other effects
• Rotate, skew, and manipulate images
• Supports layers
• Create image maps (live links embedded in an image)

Weaknesses

• Poor image quality when resized

Go to PhotoPlus 6 download site.

paint.NET (Windows)

A project pioneered by Microsoft, who mentored an undergraduate college senior design team, enlisted to work on a replacement for the MS Paint program existing on Windows computers. This is a surprisingly full featured photo editing software, which, for basic Web graphics, is all you need.

Strongest Features

• Resize and compress images without distortion
• Add text
• Enhance images (sharpen, blur, red-eye removal, etc.)
• Supports layers
• PhotoShop-esque special effects
• Unlimited Un-do

Weaknesses

• None noted. This free graphic editor is quite a steal!

Go to Paint.NET download site.

Graphic Converter (Mac)

This photo editing software can be used for free, with a few usage restrictions. But purchasing it won't break the bank. It's only 25 euros. A pittance for the usefulness of this application.

Strongest Features

• Imports nearly 200 different image file formats (who knew there were that many!) -- including RAW, for the pros
• Save files in a huge variety of formats
• Resize (scales) images without distortion
• Add text
• Batch conversion
• Organize images with gallery view
• Et-cetera!

Weaknesses

• Does not support layers

Go to Graphic Converter download site.

What Do You Need In A Photo Editing Software?

Image converters and editors run the gamut from free to high end. Some have very specific functions (i.e., batch processing, watermarking). Others are full featured, allowing you to create professional quality Web graphics, using layers and heaps of special effects.

But do you need that? The softwares I've listed here are more than sufficient for light Web use (i.e., resizing and compressing graphics). Professional calibre products like PhotoShop, although fun, aren't necessary for general image editing for Web use.

Find free or inexpensive stock photos at the sites recommended here.

 

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