Author: Peter Martin Jones
If you are like most people, you will have shots with various problems. The
following is a list of the most common problems:
- Sloping horizons
- A partial shot of your thumb in the corner of the frame
- A very dark portrait where your flash failed to fire.
- The dreaded red eye
- Out of focus, fuzzy images
- Colours that do not match the original scene you shot
These
are just a few of the types of results we may get from time to time and
frequently, people will simply delete them. This is a shame, particularly if
these shots were otherwise good ones.
There are many good software editing programmes available these days that
will enable you to rectify many faults like these, sometimes allowing you to
alter the image beyond all recognition.
In some cases, you may get a free copy of editing software with your new
camera provided by the manufacturer. If this is not the case then do not
despair! There are several completely free digital image editing programmes that
you can use including the open source Gimp or Photoplus 6 from Serif.
To see what is available, simply type in "free digital image editing
software" in your browser and check out the features that each has to offer.
However, if you want a really good, feature packed software editing
programme, you will get excellent results from Adobe Photoshop Elements at
around £50 (0) or Paint shop Pro from Jasc at around £60 (0). Both of
these have first-rate features that will allow you straighten, rotate, sharpen
and crop your images. Another great feature allows you to optimise the colours
and exposure of your images at the touch of a single button. You can even remove
unwanted parts of the image or introduce new images into it.
In fact, Adobe has just released their new free version of Photoshop Elements
called Photoshop Express. Just type this into your browser and get a free copy.
This is a watered down version of Photoshop Elements but never the less it is a
very useful programme that covers all the basic requirements.
Photoshop Express is however, a web based programme so that all the
manipulations you make are sent to a server for action and then sent back to
you. Do not get the impression this is a slow laborious process as the response
time is fast and pretty well instant with a Broadband connection. Well worth a
try.
Of course, the editing programme par excellence is Adobe Photoshop but at
several hundred pounds, it could only be recommended for the dedicated editing
and digital manipulation enthusiast with deep pockets. If you are tempted
however, the programme is awesome.
Right, you now have the tools to edit and correct (or manipulate) your images
so why not print them and perhaps make a few large prints that you frame and
hang on the wall. Equally, you can make a few prints for your friends and
relatives. So what do you need?
Well, a photo quality ink jet colour printer from any of the major
manufacturers like Epson, Canon, and Lexmark etc would be ideal. And these days
you can buy any of these from about £30 () upwards.
Some of the editing programmes mentioned above include comprehensive image
printing software allowing you to print a wide variety of sizes or groups of
images on a single sheet of paper.
One thing I would recommend is to print out a "contact sheet" of your images
first. This is simply an A4 sheet showing a large number of small pictures that
you can use to determine what the images will look like when printed so you can
select these and perhaps edit them before printing large ones.
You can also use this print to store in a folder that you can flick through
at any time without having to switch your computer on. This way you will have a
mini set of prints to view at any time and they do not take up a lot of
room.
When printing, bear in mind that there is a limit to the size you will be
able to print before the image starts to deteriorate. As a rough guide, a three
megapixel camera will give good 6 x 4 inch prints and a four or five megapixel
camera will be able to print a good quality A4 size.
Always use a good photo quality paper for the best results and do not forget
to "tell" your printer what you want it to do. For example, choose" best
printing quality and select the type of paper you are printing on.
