Digital Photography has exploded the possibilities available for capturing,
sharing and manipulating photos. The increased attention has peaked the interest
of many amateur photographers and the market is responding accordingly. There
are many Software products available
for download as well as purchase. These products offer various ways to edit and
organize your photos as well as provide instruction. I offer the following
review of products that I found to be of good quality.
Kodak Gallery is a free online site for
editing and storing photos. They also offer a number of services including gift
ideas, personalized products and online tutorials. Shutterfly and Winkflash are
very similar to Kodak Gallery offering a number of products such as greeting
cards, calendars, mouse pads, etc. that can be personalized using your enhanced
digital photos! These sites offer printing services and allow you to create a slide
show to be shared via email. You are able to set various controls such as
whether or not the recipients can view, print and or order any photos. It is
always recommended regardless of which site you use that photos be back up on a
disc in case of any server problems.
Before we move on to reviews of Software products that have a variety
of features that cover the photo taking process from start to finish. I can not
resist mentioning, Tourist Remover Software.
In the same way that HDR photos can take all the best bits from multiple
exposures of the same subject and combine them into a single photo, FutureLAB's
cleverly named Tourist Remover Software
can remove tourists your travel photos. Simply snap a few shots of a building,
statue, etc., happy tourists and all. Their Software will combine all of the un-touristed sections of each
picture into a single tourist-free photo.
Many Software products are being offered that have camera control and
recovery tools. I suggest the following Software
as I find it to be reasonably priced and of good quality.
Digital Camera Photography Professional Edition by Tradetouch Inc.
Features include:
Camera Control Tool which shows the user
how to set capture time, control a remote camera, reduce the camera's shudder
etc.
Photo Management Tool allows you to
classify your photos, record the time, and present them in an album or other
format.
Advise and Teach Skills such as
adjusting light, choosing shooting time, and managing instruments.
Photo Edit Tool will help you cut or add
something fun to photos, change color, compile several photos into one etc.
Recover Tool allows you to recover
deleted photos from your PC's disc or camera's RAM.
Drivers for your camera are included
with this Software.
No Installation or Hard Disk space used,
Browser based interface is extremely fast.
Digital Photos by Atari
Digital Photos is interactive Software for editing, printing, and
organizing your digital photos. The popular series is available for your
computer. This is user friendly Software
that can help you with your everyday computing digital photo needs. Features
include:
Educational Features will help you take
superior photos by showing you how to adjust the ISO, focus manually or use
auto focus, balance your white and colors and catch a moving target.
Printing Tips such as advice on what
printers and paper are best for photo printing.
Photo Enhancement Tools which include
instruction on how to avoid over compression and how to use the best formats
when saving photos for different uses.
Automatic Storage of your photos, simply
plug your digital camera into your computer and the Software automatically transfers, classifies, and saves your
photos.
Creating Fun Keepsakes using your Software's wizards, you can create your
own digital photo albums and put your albums on Web sites. You also can add
transitions and music and turn your pics into slide shows. Or you can print
your photos and design your own gifts.
Specialty Software is also available! For example;
Secrets to Kids' Photography by Select Soft Publishing
This Software introduces professional secrets that can mean the
difference between taking an ordinary snapshot and capturing an incredible
photo. An instructional video guides you through a real shoot. The user learns
about different kinds of poses, how to give instructions, composition, creating
a work area, equipment and props, high-key lighting etc.
Secrets to Fashion Photography by ARC Media
Allows you to follow along with the
instructional video as experienced top fashion photographer Desmond Williams
guides you through a real fashion shoot covering a wide range of assignment
types. Learn about working with models, creating poses, makeup, equipment,
lighting effects, marketing etc.