Editing Packages

[Graham_of_Rainham]

http://dpnow.com/6233.html

"If you have a good image editing package, like Photoshop, or Paint Shop Pro, etc., why not try to use the techniques covered above with some of your own images? If you get some really good before and after results, let us know, or even better, post them on the DPNow forum."

Google Picasa3 has one of the best B&W Filter conversions, that is so simple to use and the effect is seen in real time.

While it has not got "levels" as such; "Tuning" and the "Basic" fixes will achieve very similar results.

This original image was poorly exposed and colour was not what I had in mind for the image anyway. Using the Filtered B&W conversion tool, I was able to easily choose a resultant B&W in a way that is familiar to users of filters with B&W film. Several graduated tint effects were used on the sky area and a little grain added.

All this is FREE and as a basic tool, I think it's excellent.

[Ian]

Re: Editing Packages

Hi Graham, Picasa is indeed excellent and accessible as far as it goes. In the next part of my Digital Photography 101 I will, however, I will explain why the simple image tune-up options that most editing programs, including Picasa, offer, can't cope with a lot of images that need improving.

Ian