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Saying GoodBye to an Old Friend | Life Will No Longer Be A Picnik

By
Industry Observer with Retired

 

Piciik.com after April 19,2012 will be no more. This free photo editing program that has helped so many in ActiveRain to edit photos is closing it's doors.

There are a number of us that use other photo editing software but no one can argue that the many things that Picnik provided beyond simple photo editing was amazing. Picnik was loaded with special features that required virtually no learning curve nor the many hours of focus that would have otherwise been required to create the same effects.

In the announcement, Picnik owned by Google, is however providing many of the Picnik editing features through Google+. I just tried it and added the text copyright to an imported photo and it provided the same basics as did Picnik. In fact is works just like the old Picnik and is formatted to look similar. 

There are some things missing, like slide shows, collages, frames and many of the special effects that Picnik provided but for basic editing like color and brightness enhancements, cropping, resizing, straitening, and adding text, it will still be available through Google +. 

So do not despair, Google will be providing the basic Picnik type service through it's Google+, free of charge.

In the announcementt, Google launched a new feature called Picnik Takeout that will download any photos you have on the Picnik site to your computer in a zip file format. You can also copy them to Google+ where you can store and share them just like in Picnik. This tool will be available until the closing date of April 19th,2012.

For Premium Picnik Members, as a way of saying Thank You, Google will be processing a full refund of your current membership. They said even if you are on your very last day of annual membership, you will receive an entire refund of the $24.95 annual membership fee.

For everyone else, until the close date of April 19,2012, everyone will have access to all the services of the Premium account for free.

I for one will still miss this marvelous service that I relied since it's inception 5 years ago. All good things must come to an end but thankfully, the basics of Picnik will still be available to all of us at no charge and once we have switched our photo editing accessible through to Google +, for most things, we will hardly notice any change at all.  

 


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Comments (31)

Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Hello William, it is a sad day for us all. I so love the program and use it more than ever. There is a petition that you can sign and I got a special note of thanks from the CEO. It is on my profile page on FB. I will see if I can come back and put the link. I don't see the link above. Change is the only constant. I don't know what we will do. Have  great day and I'll come back to post the link. Here it is.

Jan 21, 2012 07:02 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

As you know, Picnik was my favorite photo editing site. I'll miss it mainly because I was in the habit of using it all the time. I have other photo apps, but for me Picnik worked best for my online photos. I'm sure as the Google+ version develops it'll do all the same things and more. It just seems I've spent so much time this year learning new platforms and apps... it was one of the few constants and like an old friend. At least I have a refund coming instead of an upgrade ultimatum. 

Jan 21, 2012 07:07 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

William my reaction was just like Sivlia's OH NO!    http://actvra.in/rGh yes the times they are a changing!

Jan 21, 2012 07:12 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Wiliam-This is great info to let folks know about this. I know Kristine Ginsbergwill miss this a LOT she has promoted it and used it heavily. Glad the basic will still be available.

Jan 21, 2012 07:25 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

I received that announcement in an email this morning.  I must say, I'm disappointed.

Jan 21, 2012 07:43 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Hi William, I guess Picnik will be used even more now as its end is near.  It's nice that Google+ is offering the basic stuff but it's been all the extras that I liked loved Picnik for.  My camera software and Picasa can do all the basics including straightening...  Yes, you are right, we will survive and adapt, and who knows, something even better may come along!

Jan 21, 2012 08:13 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I can find a replacement for the basics, it's the frames and collages I use most often.  I really hope Google has those features up and running before closing the doors on Picnic.

Jan 21, 2012 09:22 AM
Kim Boekholder Utah Real Estate/ PECO
Results Real Estate 801.580.5624 - Draper, UT
Broker Results Real Estate/Leasing Specialist PECO

Thank you for posting this, I saw that email that picnik was going away and its been posted all over fb but you were the first person to mention that some of the features are available thru google+  I'm heading over to check it out.  Thank you

Jan 21, 2012 09:24 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Well now!  I had only began using Picnik during this past year.  I loved the application, but am glad I didn't use it more.  My slide shows posted to a couple of my blogs will disappear in April, so this morning, I've been recreating them in my PaintShop Pro Animation Wizard.  I have edited any posts with the Picnik slide shows with the new animations.  Otherwise, those posts will go sans sldeshows in a couple of months.

Although Picnik has said they
have launched a new feature, Picnik Takeout, that easily downloads your photos to your desktop in convenient zip files, you cannot access your slideshows created in Picnik to use that feature.

Jan 21, 2012 09:54 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hey Myrl... you can create slideshows in Googles Picasa Web Albums.

Jan 21, 2012 10:03 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi William,

Like so many others, so sorry to hear this, I've loved Picnik every since I first heard about it here on AR. Guess I'll just need to learn the new one on Google+. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Jan 21, 2012 10:14 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi William,

I love Picnik and am so sad. I read what you said about Google+ but framing is so important and if Google+ doesn't do that, then it is not complete. I tried Photofunia but my computer keeps telling me it is not a safe site so I am scared to keep going there? Where else can we get pictures framed?

Jan 21, 2012 11:13 AM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi William,

There was life before and there will be life after Picnik,  with G+ starting the battle with Facebook, there is no doubt that Google will keep adding tools and tricks, and intergrate video and audio editing in the mix......stay tuned

Jan 21, 2012 01:57 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

I don't know William...I'm feeling pretty grumpy.  Everyone is talking about it and if there's another alternative out there this is one group who can find it!  Have a good weekend.

Jan 21, 2012 03:51 PM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

I guess we will have to stay tuned for the changes. I have used Picnik a few times but use Picasa most of the time. Thanks for the alert!

Jan 22, 2012 02:22 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

William

Like many I am saddened to hear about Picnik - I still recall our conversation ages ago when you convinced me to use it - I have been a dedicated user since. Glad to hear there will be some ohter options that will work, and my guess is those options will get better.

Jeff

Jan 22, 2012 04:11 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I use Picnik every day and will miss the service.  Flickr has announced that they will be offering photo editing features to replace their current connection with Picnik so we will have to watch to see what they provide.

Please keep us posted on your recommendations.

Jan 23, 2012 02:12 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

William~

Thanks for the details on this "demise"...As a blogger who really, really loves the idea of supporting my content with visual color... it is good to know that Google+ is around (I guess...)

Jan 24, 2012 03:32 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I think we are all going to miss that website. I know I have used it many times in the past.

Jan 25, 2012 04:17 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I am sure you as King of the photo, will have a lot of tools to work with.  Us peons are going to have to start the learning curve again.

Jan 25, 2012 12:55 PM