Fix Photos with Image Editing Software
Updated: November 25, 2003
Image editing is the process of adjusting a photo to improve its appearance. Many image editing software packages are available for your Windows XP-based computer. With image editing software, you can darken a photo, rotate it, adjust its contrast, crop out extraneous detail, remove red-eye, and more.
For instance, dramatic sunset photos often benefit from an increase in contrast. The sky in the scene below was filled with stunning red hues, but the camera, which was set to automatically adjust image contrast as it shoots, recorded the photo with thin, dull color.
A photo before editing
Automatic-everything digital cameras capture remarkably good photos. When they fall short, an image editor can make the difference between a good photo and a great one. With Adobe Photoshop Elements, the contrast of the sunset photo above was increased using Levels. After one simple adjustment, the photo is transformed:
The same photo after editing. Notice the enhanced color.
There are limits to what you can do to restore a photo that was not captured properly in the camera. But within those limits, an image editor is a powerful tool in the digital photographer's toolbox.
Extend Your Image Editor with Plug-ins and More
An example of image editing software—in this case, Adobe Photoshop Elements
Some image editors accept "plug-ins," which expand the functions your image editor can perform. Many extend your creative options, enabling you to apply unusual effects to your photos. Others streamline common image editing steps, like sharpening your photos for print or the Web.
There are a number of image editing software and plug-in packages available, each with its own set of features and options:
If you're looking for more control than a mouse offers, try using a graphics tablet. The flat surface and stylus work like a pen and paper, so it's a more natural movement when editing and retouching photographs. Graphics tablets from Wacom are available in different sizes.
