Picasa 3 and other stuff

If you haven never used Picasa, or if you haven't upgraded your current version to version three, you need to. AND if you've never used Picnik.com, you should. I'm not being paid to say this. It's just that I've come to love BOTH the photo editing programs a LOT. Picasa is free. It's used on your computer. Picnik is also free, with premier options available for 25.00 a year. A GREAT deal, if you consider that there are a TON of features that mimic those of photoshop, which can set you back HUNDREDS of dollars. When you mix the TWO programs together? PURE BLISS.
Here's an example of that. While visiting with Sara the other day, and after lunch, we took photos. BUT we only took two shots, and I didn't stop to look at the shots when we took them. Once we got home, I noticed that even though we were in the shade, for better photos, there were a few spots of sunlight on Sara and my faces that were pretty distracting. So I decided to try and fix that. Here's the "original" version. I've cropped at this point, and add a little fill light, but that's it, and you can see that the shadowing on our faces is a little distracting.

I used the RETOUCH feature on Picasa to take some of the harshness from the shadows on my chin and upper lip, and also on Sara's cheeck near her eye, and a little on her chin.

THEN I took the photo to picnik.com, and used the shine be gone and blemish fix to even out the tones even more. Once I did that, I went into the Effects, and used Ortonish, and Vignette to add more to the photo. I saved it back to my computer, and then used Picasa some more! lol
I took the shadow down just a bit, and used the tint feature to adjust the color. I think it came out pretty good!!

At anyrate, if you haven't tried either program, you really should!! Picnik can be used without creating an account, and you don't load anything onto your computer there. You just use it on line, and save your photos back to your computer if you want to.
I had a great day with Sara by the way, and then went on to have more fun with Donna and my Mom while we went to about 5 scrap and craft spots in the area!! I bought a TON of fiskars goodies, (to add the the ones I already HAD) so I'm READY to use that demonstrator ability now!! Thanks, Sara, for the training!!
While were shopping at Joanne's Donna got THE crooked cart! Check it OUT!! I mean, that thing has been like that FOR A LONG TIME!! lol

In other news- there were some interesting BUGS on the front window today... I don't know what kind they are. Anyone?


If you haven't gotten the chance, check out the new tutorials I'm offering!! Right now, it's blogging. Starting from the beginning, and with screen shots to help you understand what you're looking for! They are all in my sidebar, in the drop down list!! Be sure too, to check out the Geek THIS links!! A list of the places I've learned some of what I know. They explain things well, so no need to re teach a good lesson there!
I'm off to clean houses in a bit. Have a GREAT day!!

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