Graphics softwarePhoto-editing software

Photos can be edited using a program on your computer or in your web browser. You can also share and store your photos online.

Features of photo-editing software

Not all photo-editing software is equal. Some have more features than others, but here are some of the common features you might find:

• Air brushing can cover up skin imperfections, change eye colour and make people look slimmer.
• Red-eye removal is used to correct the effect a flash can have on eye colour.
• Cropping allows you to select part of the image and get rid of the rest.
• Special effects can make the photo look like an oil painting, sketch or cartoon.
• Brightness and contrast can brighten the photo if it’s too dark or darken it if it’s too light. You can change the contrast or adjust the richness of colours.
• Layers allow you to add elements to an existing photo.

Photo-editing computer programs

There are free, paid-for and open source programs.

• Windows Paint is included with Windows.
• Adobe Photoshop is very expensive and aimed at professionals.
• GIMP is an open source alternative.

Photo-editing in a web browser

Web browsers are becoming more powerful and can run applications of their own. These applications let you edit your photos within the web browser:

• Photoshop Express Editor
• Pixlr
• Picnik

Sharing and storing photos online

People like to share their photos with family and friends. Some popular services include:

• Flickr
• Picasa
• Photobucket

Photos uploaded to online services are often compressed. Compression reduces an image’s quality but also its size, making it much faster to load on to your screen.