Professionally Preparing Problematic Pictures -- Picking Picasa or Picnik?

Kathy -- Thank you so much, that's exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for. After my slogging through all the blogs and online tutorials, you summed up the software functions and benefits in just three sentences. You're awesome!

Ginger -- I appreciate your honesty in saying that the software will only go so far with mediocre pictures (those would be mine). Alas I was hoping for miracles...but I'll be happy with improvements! Thank you also for your offer to help...I'm always amazed by members of this community reaching out in support.

In the past I've looked into software that has so much complexity that I got overwhelmed. While my husband kept talking about all the things the comprehensive software could do, I knew that I was likely to focus on a few helpful tools, disregarding the rest. Bottom line, I need a photo editing program to be effective and INTUITIVE!

Thank you for your vote, Jackson! I've admired your quality photographs in your posts and Before and After pictures, so your feedback counts for a lot. I appreciate your participation!

Melissa -- Thanks so much for your feedback. With your vast staging experience and strong visual presence though blogging and newsletters, I trust your opinions!

Kay -- Good point about studying home magazines for ideas on framing shots. You're right, it's a completely different technique than MLS photographs where the point is to get as much square footage in the shot as possible. Staging photos need to be a bit more nuanced.

Peg -- Thanks for the Picasa question. If I choose this software I'm sure I'll be looking for the same answer soon...

Maureen -- "crop, straighten, lighten, sharpen" sound pretty straightforward to me! Of course the current software is so much simpler to use than the original photo enhancement software. It looks like the technology is moving forward in sophistication and ease of use (a good thing), while still focusing on those four basic skills. Thanks for your comment!

Hi, Allegra! Actually I'd probably be bopping along to my old software if it weren't for all the AR discussions about designing and customizing blog headers. The more you read the more you see these things popping into view. Just yesterday I received a Picasa slide show of photos taken at my daughter's school production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Got me thinkin'...

Cathy - What provoked you to move from Picasa to Picnik? Were there features that were missing that you needed? Or was it ease of use?

Hey there, Andrew! You see, now that your blog has raised the bar for quality pictures here on AR, we all want our staging photos to look as great as yours!

Thanks for your feedback about using both software packages, Cheryl!

I feel your pain, Cindy! But as I'm reviewing photos to update my (sadly out of date) business web site I really want them to look their best -- you can't re-take photos when a project has already been de-staged after selling. And quality photo enhancements can really make a difference. Not to mention that both of these packages are FREE!  Thanks for your comment!

Wanda -- Thanks for your feedback! That's a strong testament to the ease and effectiveness of using Picasa.

Kimberley -- I'm glad that Picasa has worked so well for you...it looks like my pictures might have hope after all. Maybe your daughter likes the options for self-expression on Picnik. I appreciate your comments!

Melissa and Kimberley -- great idea to coordinate with the title of this post...another "P" word! Pink hair!

I've posted a new blog following up on the feedback from this post, and the results of my decision:EUREKA! Progress Professionally Preparing Problematic Pictures in Picasa! Part II. Thank you again for your participation!