Photo-editing program reviews: Features explained
Image Editing software key features
Photo-editing software allows you to make changes to your digital photographs. It provides a range of tools and filters to perform image manipulation tasks such as adding brightness or contrast to an overly dark photograph or returning eyes -turned red thanks to a camera’s flash – back to their natural colour.
As well as paid-for programs, it’s possible to download free image-editing software programs from the internet. Microsoft’s current operating system, Windows Vista, also includes some basic image-editing functions.
Automatic corrections
Most of the programs come with automatic correction functions. While this is the easiest correction method, be prepared for mixed results, as the program has to make assumptions about how much colour and light, for example, there should be in a photo, and doesn’t always get it right.
It’s worth a try, though, as you could be pleasantly surprised. You can always use the ‘undo’ function if you’re not satisfied with the results, to return your photo to its original state.
The original white background has been given an orange glow
Common tools, filters and corrections
Red-eye removal tool
We've all taken flash photos indoors only to find that all the people looking at the camera have eerily developed redeye which occurs when flash lighting illuminates the back of the eye and not the dark pupil we expect.
Red-eye removal tools work by replacing the red pupil with a more natural black one. Generally, you select the size of the area you want to correct and can even add a glint to the eye to make it look more realistic.
Some digital cameras have a red-eye reduction feature – see the Which? digital camera reviews for more.
Clone tool
For those photos that would be perfect if it wasn't for the complete stranger who walked into shot at the last minute, the clone tool is an ideal solution.
Get rid of figures (like your ex!) from precious photos
Using the clone tool you can copy an area of background to paste over the top of your unwanted image. It’ll take a lot of practice to get a natural-looking result and you may have to carry out some additional smudging and blurring to the edges of the cloned area to get a realistic-looking finish.
Colour and brightness adjustment
An underexposed picture can be given more definition
Photos often suffer from being taken in dull, poorly lit conditions with the subjects and background being overly dark. You can use a photo-editing program’s brightness and contrast controls to change these levels, which will lift details out of the shadow and generally brighten a photo up.
Blemish and Scratch Removal Tools
Some photo-editing programs include special features and scratch removal tools that can smooth over tears and creases. These are generally fine for smaller scratches but more significant damage can prove a challenge. Serious damage should be treated with a clone tool.