Alternate image-editing software May13 '07

My license for Photoshop CS3 (Intel Mac version) expired suddenly and without warning.

Screenshot of Photoshop warning

Since then I've been searching for alternate image-editing software, at least until I can afford the Photoshop CS3 upgrade.

Luckily, I have some options.

GraphicConverter

GraphicConverter logo

I've discovered a rarely used application on my MacBook called GraphicConverter.

I originally purchased GraphicConverter a few years ago, in order to create ICO files, (Windows Icon file used for web site bookmark icons). I have hardly used it since.

That all changed a few days ago while on vacation. I had just taken a few dozen photos and imported them onto my MacBook. I wanted to upload to Flickr but realized I would need Photoshop first, in order to fix some of the photos. Without a licensed version, I was "dead in the water."

Taking a chance, I launched GraphicConverter, and began editing my photos seamlessly.

It turns out GraphicConverter can do a lot more than I thought it could. I've barely scratched the surface, but immediately I could apply color correction, crop, and edit the IPTC info of an image.

GraphicConverter's most notable feature is the ability to open and save almost any file format.

GraphicConverter runs on Macs, and only costs $30. It can meet many needs of novice and professional photographers alike.

Picnik

When I was first tipped off to Picnik, I was quite shocked at how simple it is to use.

Screenshot of Picnik.com

Using Picnik is like eating candy. It's tasty and you always want more.

Picnik's features are much more limited than GraphicConverter or Photoshop, but they are consistently adding more, and it could come in handy when you're in a pinch.

Picnik allows basic functionality, such as rotate, crop, resize, etc. It also integrates seamlessly with your Flickr or Picasa web photo albums.

The only drawback to Picnik is you have to be online in order to edit your photos. So all of those photos you just took and stored on your desktop? Yeah, they each have to be uploaded before you can edit them.

I have been using Picnik after I upload to Flickr, since then my photos are already online.

Categories: Images , Software

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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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