Picasa is My Friend
December 21, 2009
OK peeps, I think it’s time I spill the beans on how I take and manipulate my photos. Several of you have sent me emails asking me about the camera and the software I use on this site. I’m here to share. Sharing is what I do. I love to share, especially with those of you just starting out. Ha, that’s funny. “Just starting out.” That’s me, like, nine months ago. Strange, surreal, and completely true.
But first, before I share, I have a few confessions to make.
First confession: Believe me when I tell you I am a complete amateur when it comes to photography. (Some of you are saying, “Um, yes, we know that.”) In fact, if you said the word “aperture” to me a few months ago, I’d have looked at you cross-eyed.
Second confession: I have a really killer camera that does half the work for me. My weapon of choice is a Nikon D60 and it totally rocks. Mr. CG bought it for me two years ago when I complained about my flimsy digital never taking pictures when I wanted it to. You know that 3/4 second delay that misses the moment ? That fleeting precious moment when your kid is doing the cutest thing ever ? Then your camera never captures it ? Hated that. I complained constantly. Tears welled. I might have thrown my old camera a few times. Then hubby bought me my Nikon.
Yes, they’re expensive, but oh my goodness gracious darling, are they ever so worth it. Mine has paid for itself tenfold with the quality of pictures it has given me.
For example, take this most recent picture of chocolate covered biscotti from yesterday. My friends, I simply set the camera to “no flash” and shot this beauty. The camera did 80% of the work.
Third confession: I’ve learned to never ever ever use a flash. The flash is not your friend when taking up close and personal shots of your latest craft, project, recipe, or kid. Turn it off, that’s all I can say. Turn.Off.The.Flash. Light is your friend. The flash is not.
Fourth confession: I do not use Photoshop for my everyday blog editing. I don’t have the patience, time, or in depth knowledge of Photoshop to manipulate every single photo. Yes, I’m learning the program slowly, but I never turn to Photoshop for my everyday blog photos.
I use Picasa. Picasa is free.
Picasa is my friend !
And I’m not being paid to say this. When it comes to the basic manipulating and uploading of pictures for this blog? Picasa is where it’s at. At least for me.
Case in point.
Here’s a shot of a pair of platinum diamond rings taken at Tiffanys in San Francisco.
Dark, uninteresting. Not impressive.
With Picasa I change the tuning by adding light and enhancing shadow
Crop photo
Change temperature from warm to cooler, then pull saturation out
Crop some more
Sharpen picture
Now that’s worth looking at. And all in about 7 seconds with Picasa. Seriously.
You can also give it some glow too.
Or add a soft focus
That takes about 3 more seconds.
You go from this:
To this, in about 10 seconds (once you’re proficient)
And you’ll be proficient in no time because look how user friendly these tabs are:
How about when you take photos at night? First of all I must say I rarely take photos at night, because you always need good light to take a decent photo. Unless you’re taking one of those cool “look at my candlelight glow” shots for effect. But I hesitate to ever take a picture at night because the lighting simply stinks. And I refuse to use my flash.
See this cruddy picture of my holiday sideboard taken in the evening? It has far too many warm tones in my book, but its completely salvageable.
Increase light, enhance shadow, change temperature from warm to cool
Crop
Reduce saturation
Sharpen
Add glow
Before and After, in ten seconds:
Yes, yes, Photoshop could do a heck of a lot better, and you real photographers know it. But for everyday editing for this blog? I’ll stick with Picasa. That is, until I master Photoshop.
You can make collages for your blog, like the one above, or like this one below.
Purty huh ?
Many of you already use Picasa, know of its virtues, and have sung its praises, so much of this is very old news. But for those of you (like me) who are newer to this blogging thing, pay a visit to my friend Sarah over at Clover Lane for a brilliant tutorial on making a custom header for Blogger in Picasa.
And the best part ? Picasa is free. Free !
A couple more tips from this self proclaimed complete and total amateur.
If you have a PC, use Windows Live Writer for Blogger or WordPress to upload and publish your pictures. You can adjust them to your exact pixel width and make a better impression with a larger photo.
Because.I.Cannot.Stand.Uploading.In.Blogger.Or.WordPress.
It gives me nightmares.
And if you have a great camera where you can manipulate the settings, keep your resolution on medium, not small, experiment with your Aperture and Shutter Speed settings, try increasing your ISO sensitivity to 400 or 800, and try to use your “Vivid” or “Soften” settings to change the exposure of your pictures. It’s what I do, but I’m still learning.
But I’ve got nothing, and I mean nothing, on the Diva of Photography, Ms. PW. That’s the Pioneer Woman, for those of you who just landed from Mars. If you want a real lesson in photography, go visit, but beware, you’ll be lost in her tutorials for hours, they’re so good.
So you see? Picasa is your friend, especially for us beginners in photography! If you haven’t already, download it now and give it a try.
Happy shooting, cropping, and editing !
If you’re a blogger, or a gen-u-ine photographer, feel free to add your two cents on taking, editing, and uploading pictures. Feel free to mock me. Am I living in the dark ages ? Is there something better out there ? That’s free and user friendly ? What camera or software do you use ? Do share. Inquiring minds want to know.
******* UPDATE: I’ve downloaded Picnik based on all of your suggestions and like what I see ! Will report back in the New Year with its performance . . . .
Tags: photography, Picasa
Wow. You get an atta girl for that. I think you deserve those cute little earrings from Tiffany’s. Thanks for sharing those tips.
I love Picasa too! I’ve also recently discovered Picnik (http://www.picnik.com) and it is just as simple and fabulous!
GREAT post!! I just got my first DSLR about 9 months ago as well!! I got the Nikon D40, wish I had gotten the D60 – what lens do you use the most? I do use my kit lens the most, I bought a zoom lens, but rarely use it because most of my pictures are taken in the house. I’d like a prime lens next! I agree…NO FLASH! but that makes picture taking this time of year hard – because it gets dark so early – I’m getting VERY frustrated with indoor pictures at night – I’m hoping a prime lens will help with that issue!
I’ll have to try picassa sometime, right now I use picnik.com (it’s free too, but I pay for the premium) and I love it for editing my blog pictures!!
~TidyMom
How does Microsoft Picture Manager compare to Picasa? It’s want I use.
Great tips! I was just telling someone yesterday about the NO FLASH rule. It makes a HUGE difference and your pictures turn out much better that way. Blogger photo uploading drives me crazy too, but I don’t have much of a choice with my mac. I may have to try Picasa instead of Photoshop just to see how I like it. Thanks for the ideas!
So true, Picasa is so user friendly. I do the majority of my editing in Photoshop (I am a professional photographer) but you’ve reminded me of the benefits of the simplicity of Picasa. My favorite photo trick is to use the bracketing system on your camera if you have one. It takes one picture at regular exposure, one underexposed, and one overexposed. A lot of time it will show you how to improve your exposure.
I love Picasa, but if you haven’t already, take a peek at tp://www.picnik.com/ It does much of what Picasa does, but also has some nice additional features,frames, fonts, effects etc. It is sort of like the pepper to Picasa’s salt. Plus, you can link Picnik to your Picasa web albums, Facebook, Flicker and more. Gimp is also a nice free alternative to Photoshop if your budget (like mine) is nil/frugal.
very good to know. thanks!
kelly
Oh would I love that camera!!! The biscotti shot looked perfect…professionally done. I use Picassa for my blog photo storage however haven’t used it for editing! I will figure that out unless you have more tips!!
Oh, I did not scroll down enough, I think I can figure this out, and I agree I never use flash, it is the worst for good images.
Hmmm… I shall have to give that Picasa a look-see! I just use the IMAC program, but I’m not in love with it by any stretch! Thx for all the practical tidbits!
m ^..^
I heart my Nikon D6o too! awesome camera. Thanks for the picasa ditty. I just started using gimp2….after a week, I barely figured out how to resize my pics, let alone fix saturation levels! lol I’m totally going to try picasa. I’ve wanted to for awhile, but been a chicken. Thanks for the nudge. Merry Christmas!
Linda
Great tips and tutorial, however, you lost me at saturation, aperture, glow, etc. LOL Seriously, I am so new to this but I am willing to learn and I think it’s great when others share their tips. You have an incredible talent for photography! Well, for everything it seems. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and an abundant & Happy New Year!
I use Windows Live Writer and absolutely love it! Makes all the difference in the world. I admit to not cropping however. And my New Years resolution is to make that a part of my photography posts. I agree about the flash. I wish they’d just leave it off the camera. I will not under any circumstances use the flash. And I have a dark house. Overhead light is far better that resorting to flash! Good points here!
Brenda
how do you get the curved edges on your pictures?
This is an excellent post! Thank you so much for sharing, I want an SLR camera sooooo bad! My hubby won’t smack down the $500 for it at this time though, Boo!
Thank you so much, I am not very good at photos yet, my daughter is a photographer and I need to take time to learn from her. But you have given me a great tip on Picasa today. Thank you so much. I even posted a pic I did there today. Merry Christmas!
YES! I love Picasa! I have and am VERY fluent in Photoshop, but I actually use Picasa most of the time. It’s easier, faster and I love it!
Now to get Windows Live Writer!
Hi Kate! I also have a D60 and LOVE it! I think it was one of the best purchases I have made! I also purchased the 50mm 1.4 AF-S lens about 6 months ago and it is incredible, especially for portraits. I don’t really use Picasa but I am getting better with Photoshop every day. It’s like learning a new langage and I’m not great, but getting better. I’d also reccomend a tripod. It opened up a whole new world for me because I also always turn the flash off and it’s hard not to get a blurry shot in low light.
I hope you and you family have a wonderful Christmas. I’m looking forward to reading more in the New Year!!!!
Shea Lynn
I love Picasa! Used it for quite a while, and it does everything I need. I used the collage feature to make a poster of pictures from the production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” I directed for our community theatre. So easy!
Thanks for the tips! I’ll have to try Windows Live Writer…at this time, Blogger photo uploads don’t bother me (possibly because it gives me a sense of accomplishment after a looong google search to figure out how to enlarge my pictures-haha!) but I can imagine it’ll get old quick.
I use Picasa mostly and occasionaly Picnik and have used Gimp a couple of times. I have not tried to make a collage in Picasa so I’ll be trying that, too.
I have heard the tip before about not using your flash–but (and there’s a good chance it’s just my camera) when I don’t use flash, my picture is soft and fuzzy (sorry, I don’t know the technical words)–is that because I don’t have enough light? Currently I’m using a 3 year old point and shoot but am scouring Craigslist for a nice, used SLR. Or would the sharpening tool help that?
It’s amazing that you have been doing this for just 9 short months…it’s clear that you are one talented women!
Thank you so much for that post! This was exactly the information I needed as I’m currently finding my feet as far as all of this goes. I’ve used Picasa a bit but have had it in my mind that I really need to get Photoshop. Nice to hear that’s not necessarily true. I’m sending a link of this post to all my photo friends.
Thanks for the information. I used to have a great camera but got rid of it and am now using an older camera that doesn’t give you many options. So I feel that Picasa will allow me to cheat and make beautiful pictures :)
Thanks for your tips … and the link to the other tutorial. I’m going to do this after Christmas!!!
I’m off to try Picknik today. Thanks so much everyone for these great responses !
I love picasa..it makes it so easy to organize photos! But I never have used it as I should. Thanks for the tutorial~
I tried Picassa after you told me about it, and I really like it a lot!!! I still have a hard time figuring out how to upload them from the “software” on my desktop to Blogger, but I love the softening feature!!! It took a good photo of Michaela Byrd and made it great! :)
Thank you CG! I too am a major amateur in the photo world. I have used Picasa a few times but definitely need to get more comfy with it. You rock! :)
Merry Christmas,
Leslie
I had no idea Picassa had all those features. I will totally recommend it to my non-designer friends. I’m not a professional photographer and I shoot with a Canon Powershot Si 700 (regular, pocket-sized, point n shoot). I abhor flash and take a lot of my shots in manual mode these days, but I still get *lots* of imperfect shots. Using the Pioneer Woman’s Actions have absolutely saved me. I use them in Photoshop CS, but I believe Actions work in Photoshop Elements as well. They are awesome. So, if you are looking for a little more power and control, but without spending the big bucks, then Photoshop Elements ($80)+ a good point and shoot (<$300) is the way to go.
THANK YOU!! I recently got a D60 and am just starting out in the blog world. This was very helpful!
That was very helpful! I have been using picasa for a couple of years (just had to upgrade my storage) but never noticed the collage feature… DUH!
I actually have Photoshop but I use Picasa because it is sooo much easier to understand. You taught me a few new tricks though, so thanks!! :)
I’m still working on the hubs re:SLR. I’m dying for a Rebel!
I’ve been blogging with Windows Live Writer since Day 1 and love it! Also, I’ve used Picasa but I much prefer Picnik. I think it’s even easier than Picasa and has lots of cool effects you can add to your photos…FREE. I really love the “blemish” touch-up tool and use it on lots of things besides faces. (But it’s pretty good at zapping away wrinkles too. Ahem…not that you would know anything about wrinkles yet! )
Holy mackerel, I never knew you could do so much with Picasa! I’m totally downloading it now. Thanks!!
I use and LOVE Windows Live Writer, it makes blog posting SO MUCH EASIER. Blogger is just totally frustrating.
I REALLY need to improve my blog photos, so I’ll check out Picasa, thanks for the tips and recommendation, girl!
One goal in 2010 is to learn how to use my camera… Thanks for these easy to use and understand tips. You’re beyond amateur.
Thanks for all the info…I’m learning as I go. I could use a camera upgrade, but I’m making do with what I have. I use Picnik sometimes when I need to “fix” a photo.
Sue
I just bought a Nikon D5000 and LOVE it! I took photos of my parent’s house because my mom was so frustrated because none of the pictures she ever took with point and shoot digital cameras ever looked like she saw the house. My camera did the trick and all of the pictures came out perfect without any editing for most of them. She is happy because she had started thinking her house wasn’t as pretty as she thought it was. It definitely is as pretty as she thought.
I downloaded Picasa but also downloaded a free trial of Photoshop CS4. I have PS 7.0 which is outdated and doesn’t support PW’s free actions. I might get CS4 because I can buy it at the student price, but we’ll see. Thanks for sharing this, it is helpful!
I think you have converted me to Picasa! Thanks for generiously sharing your knowledge with us! It is much appreciated (isn’t it amazing that we all still find time to blog and read blogs during this “silly season”! Love it!)
Sometimes, I wish I have a better camera… But, when I am with the kids, I am always in a hurry, and sometimes take pictures just by pressing the button… Sad, but true :-) Regarding the flash, I learn the “hard” way: when taking pictures of the doll clothes that I am making, they turn terrible when taking close-ups with the flash.
I use Picasa for holding all my Digital Scrapbooking, as it allows me to tag things, and therefore providing me “multi-dimensional” categorization. I LOVE PICASA. For posting on my blog, and fixing the pictures, I use Gimp. Once you learn a few things, you can get the “job done” pretty fast (you do have to get very focus, ans not distracted with the zillions of possibilities). However, after your post, I will give Picasa a try to fix the pictures too. Thanks for sharing.
I. LOVE. PICASA!!!! We finally got a new camera (Merry Christmas to us!) and thankfully, it’s so good that I rarely have to edit my photos anymore. However, adding a glow or changing tints or cropping or saturating are so easy, that I usually do it anyway! YAY for another fellow Picasa lover!!
One flash tip: you can use the flash, but you need to alter how you use it. Try stepping back, zooming in, and then using the flash. It takes a bit of practice, but you can take really nice photos once you get the hang of it. I used to sell on ebay, and that’s what I’d do for all my photos to ensure good light.
Also, if you’re taking pics at night, a lot of cameras have a “night city scene” mode for taking pictures of people outside at night (or something like that — buildings with a moon). The camera will use the flash. The key is to hold really still (or find something to prop your camera on). The flash will illuminate the people, and then the camera will stay open for a little while longer to get the pretty city lights.
You have no idea how much this post helping me! THANK YOU!
I LOVE my Nikon D40! It has changed my world! Okay, I am a Picasa user too….but recently discovered two new programs, that are FREE, that do MORE and you will love! Try Photoscape.org, and, Picnik.com. Really cool stuff. I rarely use Picasa now that I have discovered them. Someone suggested GIMP for me too, but it was too complicated. Photoscape was a lot easier to just play around with and figure out on my own.
Now, I want a new lens. Like you, I find the flash horrid (although set your camera on black and white and try it, it’s not so bad!) taking pics inside, unless the sun is streaming in the window, gives them a yellowy cast, or blur. I can’t wait to get a lens that lets in more light!!!
Thanks for sharing your tips! Merry holidays!
I love love LOVE Picasa. I actually have used Photoshop for ages, love it. But once I discovered Picasa, I was converted. I do all my simple edits (lighting, saturation, cropping, etc.) In Picasa and then if needed, I play more in Photoshop (hiding bra straps, making someone skinnier, and so forth).
Picasa is my BFF.
Great info…I love using photos in my post…always do! I tried photoshop, but do not have the itme to learn that! I am so going to try this one out asap! Thanks!
I posted this Christmas gift post, referencing Picasa and your Picasa post today. http://theboatwrightfamily.blogspot.com/2009/12/house-prints.html
Thanks for the great tips – I can really use them!
Bonnie
Thank you for the tips. I recently bought a Nikon L100, not as sophisticated as yours…but more complex than a regular point and shoot. And I do agree a great camera can do wonders, and spend as much as you can when purchasing a camera. :)
Wonderful post!
I’m a true blue Picasa fan and wouldn’t post even one pic without using it!
I just have a point and shoot camera too so there’s proof right there that good pics can be had with a cheaper camera plus Picasa magic. But would I prefer a good one one day? Ohhhh yeahhh…
Two major things that make for great pictures in my book are excellent lighting AND using a tripod.
I swear, every time I use a tripod, I rarely have to sharpen the picture. I cannot believe the difference.
As for the lighting, I carry around a lamp tree to cast the light on the ceiling so it bounces back on my object. Or better yet, I carry the object outside (if possible) and find a buffered area that diffuses direct sunlight. Underneath the patio corrogated plastic roofing is wonderful. The key is to avoid the harsh shadows from direct light (which is what a flash causes) and the only way around that is diffused light.
If one is using Picasa to store and save their photos, it’s wise to burn a disk of the images before you enhance them. I keep the untouched on cd’s and the ones on my computer are free game. Enhancing removes quality if you ever wanted your pics published for a different format down the road.
Picasa AND photo fanatic on good pics, Donna