What are the Different Types of Picture Editing Software?

Picture editing software is any computer program that allows a user to change, edit, or enhance digital images. These programs come in two distinct types: professional photo editing and beginner photo editing. Professional photo editing software is most commonly used by photographers and graphic designers and allows them to crop, change lighting effects, airbrush mistakes, and more. The second type of software is more easily utilized by novices and performs fun jobs like distorting photos and adding frames. Most professional editing programs are more expensive than beginner programs, and free downloads for basic photo editing software are available on the Internet.

Professional Photo Editing Software

Professional picture editing software is not utilized by many home computer users because it is both expensive and difficult to master; the software itself can often cost three or four times as much as other programs. In addition, a professional program’s myriad of options and tools often requires an in-depth knowledge about photo editing or else hours of study to acquire proficiency. Professional programs like Adobe® Photoshop® and Corel® PaintShop™ are frequently used by photographers, magazine and newspaper art directors, and graphic designers.

While they are sometimes time consuming to learn, professional picture editing programs provide a flexibility unavailable in novice tools and allow for extensive changes such as retouching photos by changing colors, erasing blemishes, and eliminating backgrounds. These programs also allow users to change the file type, the size of the photo, and apply watermarks. They are characterized by point-and-click tools surrounding the screen that can be applied quickly once the program is mastered.

Beginner Photo Editing Software
Novice picture editing software differs from professional in its cost and use; in general, programs like Corel’s Ulead PhotoImpact X3 are less expensive and easier to use than most professional programs. It is possible to find free programs intended for fun, at-home use that require very little prior computer skills to successfully manage; some examples of free downloads include Photoscape and Google’s Picasa&trade. Sometimes, a simple picture editing software program will be included with the purchase of a digital camera.
As opposed to professional tools, beginner programs usually perform only one or two specific tasks; applying frames and borders is a popular job performed by novice picture editing software. These simple software packages utilize digital photos and surround them with virtual picture frames, ranging from traditional wooden looks to cartoonist settings. Other novice photo software provides ways to distort pictures beyond reality; many professional image programs aim to make pictures look highly realistic, but novice ones have tools that balloon heads, stretch figures, and apply props, among other things. These editing programs are intended to create fun and funny pictures for personal use only.