There are a large number of programs designed for editing pictures; some of them free and some of them purchased. Choosing the best software to use is the challenge and there can be differences of opinion regarding which the best is.

At one time, good photo editing software invariably meant that it was paid for. Free software packages were pretty much worth what was paid for them. Thankfully this isn't true today. We've come a long way since the days Visioneer Paperport software dominated the market for image editing software, though it wasn't all that long ago.

With so many good photo editing software packages offered for free, it can at times become confusing to pick one. There is even free software that comes with Windows that will get the job done, though it lacks a few features that are very useful. Let's focus on just two programs; VuePrint Pro and Picasa.

VuePrint is available in a free and in a low cost paid version from www.hamrick.com. The full paid version has more features than the free one, but it does allow most manipulation features found in more expensive software packages, including the ability to resize the picture and to change the format type for the picture. It can also be set to automatically launch when different picture formats are double clicked, to show the picture. It also uses fewer resources to run than many other software programs.

Picasa is more robust and full-bodied, and it does many things that only the higher priced photo editing software can do.

Picasa also has the means of resizing pictures and changing file types. It allows more control, however, over the resolution and quality of the final picture.

Picasa also has the advantage of being able to index all the pictures on the system, each time it is launched. Unlike many of the bulkier programs, Picasa only indexes new pictures rather than re-indexing them all, so with the exception of when it is first installed, it usually doesn't take much time to complete the indexing.

The indexing means that not only are you able to tell where the pictures are on your system, you are presented with thumbnail sized pictures of everything on the system that is in graphic format. Double clicking the thumbnail allows you to see the picture in page view, with the options of changing lighting, colors, or even to crop the picture. It can't totally remove graininess in a picture, but it can help a great deal, and it can lighten pictures that are too dark, or darken those that are too light.

Picasa also gives you the means to easily move or copy pictures, which can be a huge time saver. Since it also shows thumbnails, it becomes easy to see when you have duplicate pictures that are simply taking up disk space.

For the 'best' all around photo editing software, I'd have to give the nod to Picasa. It is easy to use, intuitive, and it has many features that were left to only paid for applications of the past. Give it a fair try, and see just what all it will do for you.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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