USVI-On-Line

For those of you reading the recent Photoshop thread and saying geez, I'd like to take/fix underwater pics, but this Photoshop thing sounds pretty complicated /more than I need /too much $, etc., there is an easy to use and FREE alternative that works surprisingly well: Picasa.

Its a free download from google, and after your photos are imported into it, when you double click on a photo to open it up, the one click edit function of "I'm Feeling Lucky" under Basic Fixes (equiv to "auto correct" function in other programs) works well 9 out of 10 times to color correct underwater and other photos.

Also, under the "Tuning" button, the one click "Warmify" function works too. Nice combo of K.I.S.S. and Free.
JMQ

JMQ, I agree that Photoshop may be overkill for photo editing. I like using Microsoft Office Picture Manager for its Auto Correct (color and brightness) and for its red-eye removal.

I don't know Picasa's capabilities, but I do use Photoshop for more complex editing of photos (e.g. placing someone elses head on another body for fun, creating a b/w photo from a color photo), creating invitations, flyers/brochures, thank you cards, photo collages, etc. Also, if you need to do the same actions to a lot of photos (e.g. creating thumbnails), Photoshop has a cool tool called Batch Automate. You can even create macros for multiple actions.

What Photoshop cannot do is draw freehand and my (old) version cannot creat text in an arc.

Can I send my underwater photos to you guys when I get back so you can fix them?

sea-nile wrote:Can I send my underwater photos to you guys when I get back so you can fix them?

I thought California Girl was doing them.

I tried picasa on my underwater shots last year and I did not have much luck. They looked better, but still not great. The photos I posted with last year's report were "picasaed" and I thought they still needed a lot of work. I will say it is really easy to use though, and it helped my "above water" shots a lot.

Editing to say that you should take my comments with a grain of salt. I am really inexperienced when it comes to photo editing, probably more so than the average person. That program is likely quite capable of doing a lot more than I was able to get it to do for me.

Jerseyboy wrote:I thought California Girl was doing them.

Ha! You funny! Actually, maybe you've just given me an idea for a livelihood that would allow me to live on STJ! Hmmmm....

Hey can I get in on this too? I am an "advid" Photoshop user (actually up to version CS2, now I hear CS3 is out now). If anyone wants to send me a picture or two...

Now I can quit my day job!

You guys might be on to an idea. I would pay someone to fix my pictures for me. I bet lots of people would. And, you could do it from the island!

liamsaunt wrote:You guys might be on to an idea. I would pay someone to fix my pictures for me. I bet lots of people would. And, you could do it from the island!

liamsaunt - here's another idea you could probably relate to:

St John's PhotoPass Service - It's like having your own personal photographer so you can be in the picture - instead of taking it.

Step 1: We'll Take the Pictures - Find a STJ PhotoPass Photographer throughout the island (Trunk Bay, Cruz Bay dock, etc.) to capture your magical memories. After your first picture is taken, the photographer will give you a STJ PhotoPass card.

Step 2: We'll Organize and Edit the Pictures - Present your pass to the photographer each time you have your picture taken. All your pictures will be linked in one convenient personal online account.

Step 3: You View and Order the Pictures online

Staff:
Photographers: liamsaunt and VickiH
Photo Editors: S_Sypniewski and California Girl
Photo Supervisor: JMQ

Note: for those not familiar, this is what Disney does at their theme parks.

Jerseyboy wrote:

liamsaunt wrote:You guys might be on to an idea. I would pay someone to fix my pictures for me. I bet lots of people would. And, you could do it from the island!

liamsaunt - here's another idea you could probably relate to:

St John's PhotoPass Service - It's like having your own personal photographer so you can be in the picture - instead of taking it.

Step 1: We'll Take the Pictures - Find a STJ PhotoPass Photographer throughout the island (Trunk Bay, Cruz Bay dock, etc.) to capture your magical memories. After your first picture is taken, the photographer will give you a STJ PhotoPass card.

Step 2: We'll Organize and Edit the Pictures - Present your pass to the photographer each time you have your picture taken. All your pictures will be linked in one convenient personal online account.

Step 3: You View and Order the Pictures online

Staff:
Photographers: liamsaunt and VickiH
Photo Editors: S_Sypniewski and California Girl
Photo Supervisor: JMQ

Note: for those not familiar, this is what Disney does at their theme parks.

Good idea, but you forgot a coupl e of essential people...

Key Grip (the guy who carries the cameras): Waterguy
Chef to the Photogs: Ron_L