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Picasa - The (Must-Have & Free) Photo Editing Tool

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Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

Yesterday's post was on working with Picnik to create your HD Profile Photo. Picnik is a web-based app (nothing to download) and the online cousin to the Picasa application. Picasa is another one of those amazing things produced by Google (so is Picnik for that matter). Picasa is totally free to download and install. This is in my "must-have" toolset on my computer and after you work with it, it quite likely will be also for you. In the real estate world of photography, there is a long list of practical uses! It constantly amazes me the power and simplicity of the application. For MOST OF my day to day stuff, I don't need to head to Photoshop at all. (I save that for the more complicated things only)

If you need to download Picasa now as a head start to my upcoming blog series, you can get it here.

Here is a list of things that I do in Picasa and if you follow my blog I'll teach you to also!
(looks like I have my "things to blog about list" cut out for me!)

  • Create composite graphics for blogs and websites
  • Photo-shoot post production - crop
  • Photo-shoot post production - straighten
  • Photo-shoot post production - brighten
  • Photo-shoot post production - white balance
  • Red-eye correction
  • Create Web Albums for sharing photos (no more gigantic emails with all those attachments)
  • Watermarking your photos
  • Resize to optimum level for uploading to blogs and your MLS
  • Upload from your camera then tag, and organize

To read more, goto my list of all Picasa Articles and choose another article. 

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Craig Daniels
This blog is all about technology and helping you to use it smarter! Your digital footprint is your chance to attract new clients. What kind of impression are you making via your website, blog, and social media? We’ll be talking about that! Are you as productive as you can be? What apps might help you out? Do you know how to use all the best tools inside the apps? I enjoy photography and videography, you can expect to see those topics also on this blog.
Are you ready to learn?
Welcome to Craig’s Classroom!

PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments(39)

Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Craig ~ I'm glad you mention the straighten tool. I use a couple of different programs for editing, but Picasa wins hands down for straightening photos.

Sep 11, 2010 11:33 AM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Craig - Picasa is a fantastic tool that Google provides to users for free.  I look forward to your Picasa series.

Sep 11, 2010 05:17 PM
Don Corson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbus, OH

Alright, Craig - now you've done it -- you have inspired me to up my skillset in Picasa, specifically with the before/after and creating composites.  OR, you could just do some more of these easy to digest lessons! Hint...

Sep 11, 2010 06:07 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Great info on Picasa. I'll also mention FotoFlexer which gives other features that Picnik does not. Check that out.

Sep 12, 2010 04:20 AM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Lyn - thanks for mentioning FotoFlexer it looks like a capable online photo app - it's good to have a few options in your toolbox - I marked this for future recall

Sep 12, 2010 04:28 AM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

Craig - Great tips on Picasa. I just started to use it so I could use all the tips your willing to give us.

Sep 12, 2010 08:34 AM
Andy Chaudoir
Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas - Georgetown, TX
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas

Hello Craig - I have Picasa but never really use it.  I'll be sure to follow your series.

Sep 13, 2010 03:13 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Craig - really enjoying reading your very informative posts. I have been using other programs including picnik, however will look into picasa as well.

Sep 16, 2010 03:49 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Hi Craig, like others we have Picasa, but use Picnik all the time.  Are there things one can do that the other won't?

Sep 17, 2010 01:01 AM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

OK, Craig.  I will bite.  I have downloaded Picasa...

I feel like my computer is infected with a virus!  Just kidding, but am panicked.

I had gotten very comfy with my old photo editor...

I hope all is well,

Ken

Sep 19, 2010 09:44 AM
Steven Beam
RE/MAX Alliance - Parker Colorado Real Estate. - Parker, CO
Parker Colorado Real Estate

Ok man thanks fr the home work. I will be referring back to this over the next few days to master my new picasa. I dloaded it several years ago and never really used it. I now run my biz from premiere google apps and it has been an awesome move. I use mac and pc so I needed something that worked on both. Google is the best...for now.

Sep 22, 2010 03:05 PM
Timo Yannopoulos
Platinum Realty Licensed in Missouri - Kansas City, MO
Buying and Selling Kansas City Homes

Hey Craig

That is great what you did for us.

Thanks a lot

REALTOR Timo

KCMO

Sep 23, 2010 05:38 AM
Kate Bourland
Marketing with Kate - Redding, CA
Onlilne Marketing Mobile Marketing

Craig, I was trying to do these things with picnik.  I gave up and went to gimp.  I'll have to give Picasa another try.  I just wish that it didn't take over your computer.

Jan 23, 2011 04:32 PM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

Hi Craig -- When I discovered Picassa last year I loved it -- what a relief to have such easy access to organized photos.  But just like Wallace #4, I lost my link when I switched computers.  Do you know the best way to re-establish it so that all the photos are organized in one place again?

Jan 26, 2011 11:34 AM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

hi Melanie - I'm not sure exactly what you guys are referring to in a "lost link"?? My series article 2 at the bottom of the article talks about looking into Picasa folder manager to target specific photos folders to be scanned (instead of the whole computer).

When you swap computers, it may be good to look into the picasa backup utility to make sure everything transfers from one computer to another. But if you simply just copy whole folders, that too will work but you may lose reference to some of your custom albums (if you have created any). Feel free to email me if you have a specific question that I so far haven't answered... :)

Jan 26, 2011 11:56 AM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

Thanks so much Craig.  I'll definitely look into the Picasa backup you mentioned.  Looking forward to reading your series of articles!

Jan 26, 2011 12:04 PM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

here's the help article on using backup (and restore) to via an alternate drive. Using an external drive would be a good choice if you have one available. photos take lots of space and would likely take multiple dvd burns if you went that route

Jan 26, 2011 12:10 PM
Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

I've used Picnik for a couple years and really like it, I just downloaded the Picasa and plan to play with it using your series to see what I can accomplish!  Thanks so much.

Jan 30, 2011 03:59 AM
Jeremy Joslin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - South Windsor, CT
Professional Real Estate Marketing and Sales
I will give it a try since I love many of google's free apps.
Apr 24, 2011 03:44 PM
Kim Carnes
Licensed - Certified Home Inspectors (317) 753-7098 - Indianapolis, IN
Carnes Home Inspections - Indianapolis Metro Area and beyond -

Wow

More to learn more to download wish there were three of me...no wait...that would just confuse all those other voices in my head...

Thanks Craig

Jun 14, 2011 04:11 PM