Friday, August 21, 2009

quick & easy photo editing tips!

hello old friends!
it's been awhile since my last post, hasn't it?

since last month we have enjoyed every last drop of our summer & have now started school again!
don't you think that went by way too fast? ;)
thank goodness i have all the photos i took of everything from vacations to everyday playtime, or else i probably wouldn't remember!

i love taking pictures... editing them, on the other hand, is something i don't love!
i'm not super knowledgeable when it comes to adobe photoshop or any other elaborate editing program & i just don't have the time (or patience) to learn.

i'm sure a lot of you busy mommies feel the same way, and i get a lot of questions on how i edit my photos & get them to have that "vintage wash" effect with the rounded corners.
i use www.picnik.com and i absolutely love it... it's easy, fast & free!

i'm going to walk you through a few steps on which "actions" i use so you can see how easy it really is:


let's start with a regular photo:
*go to the top of the page & click the "create" tab.
you will see all the actions on the left.
*scroll down until you see the "cross process" button.
*click & adjust the slider to your desired look. i usually slide it anywhere from about 45-75%.
*hit apply
your photo should look something like this:

*now, find the "vignette" action (still to the left of the page) & click.
*slide your percentages to desired strength or leave as it is & hit apply.
*for this photo i used: size-50, strength-40%, & fade-20%.
this is what it looks like:

*next, go back to the side actions & click on "1960's" button.
*adjust slider to desired look (i adjusted mine to 90%), hit apply
you should have something that looks like this:

*now, for the final steps you can leave as it, or you can go to the "edit" tab on the top of the page & fade your colors a bit:

perfect!

*or, for a more "grainier" effect, go back to the "create" tab and choose the "cinemascope" action on the left. then uncheck the "letterbox my photo" square.
it should look like this:

done!

do you see how easy it was...

to go from this: to this:













some of my other favorite "actions" to use are "lomo-ish" (for more vibrant color) & also "orton-ish" (for a softer look).
there are lots of fun effects to try, and the more you get used to the format of the site, the easier & faster it will become.
have fun & experiment ;)


i'm ready for the weekend, how about you?

17 comments:

bethchien said...

YOU ROCK!! Thank you so much for showing me that! I am saving that to my faves folder! :P
Yes, I am sooo ready for the weekend. one and a half more hours and I am officially on weekend mode.
Have a good one!
B

Sasha said...

we love the same actions .. you rock .. hugs boo bear. I am ready for the weekend but to get these stupid tubes outta me .. ugh.

Love ya
Sasha

Amber Zimmerman said...

Love the actions you use on your photos. They're always so vibrant! =) I am SO ready for the weekend. Kiddos started school and I'm already pooped! My niece and I are making a little "Ikea" road trip though! Yay! =) Have a great weekend!
xo

michelle raMirez said...

fantastic!!!
you are so sweet for sharing.
Hopefully my photos will be more visually appealing thanks to you sweet girl.

jill marie barrett said...

hi lisa,
could you show how you made the littlest pet shop house on the kerner road blog? it is so fun! my daughter is in love with it and i would love to make her one. where did you find the house?
beautiful pictures of your daughter!!

BALLET NEWS said...

Hello, I'm leaving a comment for you because you have a great site here - I've really enjoyed reading your posts and your pictures are great !

Thanks for sharing them and have a lovely weekend

Melanie said...

Hey I'm a photographer by profession and even I use picnik in a pinch when I need something fast and quick and I'm not near my beloved Photoshop. Just last weekend, I was in Chicago on assignment and used it! :) Of course it will never replace Photoshop for me, though. hehe.

Ronda Palazzari said...

what a great tutorial lisa. I should use picnik more!

kl said...

oh m gee
hell hath frozen over
lisa blogged!!!!

AnilĂș Magloire said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!

Amy said...

Wow Thank you so much!!! That is so sweet of you!

Melissa Mann said...

great tutorial!

Niya said...

Great tips!!

Regards,
photo editing

merryheart2 said...

love this tip.
where you been miss beautiful?

Diana Martin said...

Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! xo

peata said...

thanks for those tips.
toilet roll mini scrapbook comp

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