Several months ago, I was answering a question about what kind of camera and photo editing software I use.  In that post, I shared that I use a Nikon D60 and also declared Picasa to be my friend.  Several friends then suggested Picnik, another free online photo editing software tool.  I was intrigued, and decided to try it.

The next day, one of the head Picnik guys contacted me about my article.  Wow, news travels fast in cyberspace.  Head Picnik guy offered me a complimentary three month premium membership.  “Try it, try it, you will like it”, he said.  His name might have been Sam I Am, but I’m not sure.  So I replied, “Okay, Picnik dude, I accept your three month premium membership.”  What can I say, when it comes to technology, I’m a fickle gal.  So I started cheating on Picasa.

Now I know most of you take pictures, right?  Most of you want to edit those pictures, right?  Most of us like free stuff, right ?  Whew, okay, I think I’m on solid ground.

So I’ve been playing around with Picnik and I’ve gotta say, it’s got some really amazing tools.  You can do all the standard photo editing with ease, whether cropping, or removing red eye, adding contrast or removing saturation.  All for free.

For example, I took this shot out in Bodega on Northern California’s coast last year.

Using the basic Picnik functions, I can easily crop in on the seagull, sharpen the picture, and play with the contrast to create a more interesting photo.

Then there’s the premium membership tools under the ‘Create’ tab which are really fun.  You can see the list of them here.   Everything from simple conversions to black and white to more artistic functions like “Orton-ish” or “Duo-tone”.  I like this simple click of a button which turns a modern photo into a nostalgic photo with the “1960s” effect.

There are tons of premium fonts for you to write on your pictures, and even bubble quotes too.  See, now I can get back at my older brother by putting a moustache on him.

There are holiday and seasonal stickers and scrapbook pages, plus advanced functions like “Curves” “Dodging” and “Burning” which allow you to brighten or darken different areas in your photo whether they are highlights, midtones, or shadows, mimicking some of the tools found in Photoshop.

One of my favorite features in Picnik includes the collage tool.  In Picasa, I have to format the collages and resize each picture myself.  In PIcnik, I just choose from several dozen grids and input my pics.  Easy peasy.

With the advanced premium tools, you get dozens of extra special collage grids to create whatever photo grouping you want, whether it’s a landscape . . .

. . . or your crazy cute kids or grandkids.

Then there’s the really cool Touch up Suite premium Picnik tools, so I decided to try my hand at this.  I snagged this photo off the internet, and I must say, I think Demi is gorgeous just as she is.  But people, you won’t believe how the Touch Up Suite has the power to take a few years off.   Tools like “Blemish Fix”, “Airbrush”, “Wrinkle Remover”, and “Sunless Tan” to name a few.  It sounds like a late night miracle worker infomercial, until you see what it really does.

Here’s a picture of Demi, Before and After:

I covered her grays, whitened her teeth, smoothed her skin, brightened and colored her eyes, then added some blush and lip gloss, like a cyber dermatologist.  All with the Touch Up Suite available to premium members, and all in less than ten minutes with just my mouse.

They even have a “Ten Pound” tool that takes ten pounds right off you !  No, I’m kidding.  There is no such thing as a “Ten Pound” tool.  I wish.  They have an “Insta-Thin” tool but it doesn’t take any weight off.  It just narrows the picture.  The “Insta-Thin” tool played me for a fool.

You can connect with and upload photos from Flickr, Facebook, Photobucket, your computer, even your Picasa web albums.

Please note, this is NOT a paid endorsement !!!  This evaluation is simply my own personal opinion based on my own personal use.  If you like what you see and read, I’ve got three codes for three lucky winners so they too can enjoy the upgraded premium benefits of Picnik for six months.  And don’t worry, they won’t ask you for your credit card or anything like that – you simply input the code and you’re all set for six months.

Bottom line, this is a super cool photo editing program that’s a lot of fun to use.  If you have any questions, their user friendly FAQ page has the answers.  Picnik has received a ton of accolades which you can read right here.

Are you already a Picnik user ?  Then you already know how many tools Picnik offers its users.  If you’d like to upgrade your membership to premium to take advantage of these photo editing tools, then you too will appreciate this giveaway.

Three Winners will receive a Six Month Premium Membership to Picnik.

Eligibility for Six Month Premium Membership to Picnik

1)  Simply tell us in a comment the tool you’re most interested in for editing your photos.  Is it a simple conversion to black and white ?  Scrapbooking or collage tools ?  Is it good riddance to pesky red eyes, or giving your friends amusing bubble quotes ?  Or is it that Touch Up Suite wrinkle removing tool ?   Do tell.

2)  For a second entry, tweet this giveaway, and add that link to a second comment on this site.

3) For a third entry, tell your pals on Facebook and add that link an additional comment on this site.

Giveaway ends Sunday February 21st at 8 p.m. PST.  Winners will be chosen by Random.org.

*********************  THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED  *********************

Tags: Giveaways, picnik

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