| Digital cameras usually come with with | | | | consider the need for a full-color |
| editing software. They provide basic editing | | | | photography printer ideally with CD imprint |
| tools including a red-eye reduction and | | | | capabilities. Depending on your needs, you |
| cropping. Some have instant fix tools that | | | | may want to include video editing software |
| are intended to correct color and lighting, | | | | options that will allow you to integrate your |
| but they can damage your photos with | | | | photographs in short movies and audio-video |
| irreversible correction where you have not | | | | presentations for home or work. CD and DVD |
| saved a RAW file to return to if need be. To | | | | burner capabilities make sharing, archiving, |
| make the most of your photos you will need to | | | | labeling and storing the creations you make |
| invest in a graphics software program. | | | | from your photographs much easier. |
| Investigate the various software packages out | | | | |
| there to ensure quality. | | | | 4. Scrapbooking |
| | | | |
| 1. Basic Tools | | | | A popular new use of digital photographs is |
| | | | for digital scrapbooking. It is a great way |
| The software should include basic tools like | | | | to present your photographic treasures to |
| cropping or cutting a portion of the | | | | family and friends. Digital cameras can be |
| photograph in one easy step. There should be | | | | used to document artifacts, art and items you |
| a tool to combine various elements from | | | | want to sell on the Internet. Digital |
| different images to make a collage. It is | | | | scrapbooking and gallery techniques with |
| essential to have a manual adjustment tool | | | | related software will assist you in achieving |
| for brightness and contrast. You will need a | | | | the best result. |
| software editing tool that allows you to | | | | |
| adjust the color balance and saturation. | | | | Scrapbooking software may include tools for |
| Filtering tools will ideally include custom, | | | | restoring old or damaged photographs and for |
| CC or Wratten filters. The tool that allows | | | | retouching dirt specks and scratches. The |
| you to convert the image color to black and | | | | software will have settings for sharpening |
| white should include several editing options. | | | | and unsharp, masking, removing distracting |
| Two of the most common are greyscale and | | | | backgrounds and creating album pages. Be sure |
| duotones. | | | | the software includes tools for resizing |
| | | | images, monitoring and changing the |
| 2. Dodge, Burn, Smudge Tools | | | | photographs dots per inch or dpi resolutions. |
| | | | Resizing should provide several measurement |
| Other important Digital Art tools that will | | | | options including per inch. |
| assist you in making artistic statements with | | | | |
| your photographs include global or selective | | | | 5. Placing Images On The Web |
| dodging, burning, blurring and mosaic. More | | | | |
| advanced editing programs include vignetting, | | | | Try Java Script if you want to edit images on |
| linen, solarizing, posterizing and embossing. | | | | the internet. This allows you to manipulate |
| Most wordprocessing and photo editing | | | | your photos in a variety of ways using mini |
| software provide image management options | | | | programming techniques. Java Scripting may |
| today that allow you to place an image in | | | | become an artistic goal of your photography |
| front of text, in-line with text or behind | | | | and thus inspire a variety of options while |
| text. Sophisticated desk-top publishing | | | | you are taking photos. |
| software will provide text and image boxes to | | | | |
| manually place your material. | | | | Digital photography can be shared with anyone |
| | | | who has internet access! That is ample |
| 3. Printing Options | | | | motivation for presenting the best image we |
| | | | can produce with the time and resources we |
| Photo editing software should allow for a | | | | have. Become more familiar with editing |
| variety of print options including duplex | | | | programs and make the best out of your |
| printing and large format document prints. | | | | keepsakes. |
| When buying computers and printers be sure to | | | | |