Pic to Painting

Get to know your camera and software! We all know that digital photo software has the ability to:

• Make a digital photo lighter
• Convert color images to black and white
• Change size

However, did you know that this type of software has other effects that can actually change your picture into a painting? Programs like Photoshop offer a variety of art conversion tools that can:

• Make your photo look like a charcoal drawing
• Give your photo a watercolor look
• Make your photo look like a pen & ink work of art
• Give digital photos a liquid or glassy look

Use a CD to Create an Album

Photo albums are great for capturing memories of your kids and family. The problem is, however, that once these memories start to pile up so can the albums. To help put an end to this space issue, computer companies have created photo album software.

Photo album software programs work pretty much like photo albums in some aspects. However, they offer many other features:

• They can display a number of photos at once
• They can make a slide show of your photos set to music
• Create a computer screensaver using one of your photos

*If you are in the market for a computer make sure you ask about the software provided with it. In some cases photo album software comes already installed.

Screen Play

It never fails. You do all of this cool editing to your photo with digital imaging software and it looks amazing on the screen. Then, it comes time to print and it is blah city! One basic problem that digital photo novices have trouble grasping is the difference between on-screen and printed images.

Photos look different when you compare the on-screen and printed versions because of the computer screen (it translates colors a bit differently). The screen makes things appear more vibrant and sharper (just like on your TV). One way to lessen this difference is with use a quality computer printer. A top-of-the-line printer combined with quality paper will keep most of what you see and love on screen intact.

Also in the Box…

If you know you'll only need basic digital photo-editing features then everything you need will come right in the box. What that means is that aside from just giving you a camera, companies will also package software that will help your computer and camera work well together. So downloading photos won't be a digital nightmare.

*Another feature offered with the provided program is basic digital photo editing software. Usually, it will allow you to resize photos, change the exposure or even convert a digital photo to black and white or sepia.

Color Correction

Red eye—a sure killer of pictures past. Today, eliminating red eye is a feature on most digital cameras. And, if you do forget to adjust it on your camera, digital photo editing software can also do the trick.

On some programs you can actually isolate certain areas of the digital photo and change the color. So, along with red eye you can correct skin tones, whiten teeth, and even help rid mom of her premature gray hairs.

Re-Adjusting Realities

Digital photo software is truly a modern marvel—it has literally altered the way we see things. Thanks to digital photography, you see the results everywhere in the media world:

• On magazine covers
• Billboards
• Movie posters

For creative agencies, digital photo software is an invaluable tool (a tool that used to be too expensive for the home). Now software developers (that create programs like Photoshop) have created abbreviated versions for personal use. This is great for color correcting and resizing family photos before you print them. However, before you buy any digital photo software program, make sure it's compatible with your computer.