I didn't misspell picnic.
Picnik is the online software that I use for my photo editing and collages. However as of April 19, 2012, Picnik will be defunct and a ghost of software past.
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| Roses at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida |
I mostly don't do much photo editing. I usually forego the auto-correct option that is available in Picnik so that you can see my photos warts and all. Most of the cropping that I do is prior to taking the photo or by moving photos around in a collage frame. Within a collage frame, you can slide the photos side to side and sometimes up and down for limited cropping.
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| Aster Before and After Auto-Correct |
Picnik has a lot of free functions or you could pay $24.95 to use the premium features, which will now be refunded in its entirety. It has an easy interface and it has fun effects like sepia tone and touching up that I didn't use, but I did like the different frame features - especially the drop shadow.
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| Harry P. Leu Gardens |
Some of the Picnik features will be available via the Creative Kit in Google+, but not the collages that were so easy in Picnik. I can download Picasa and try the collage feature in it and Donna at
Garden Walk, Garden Talk recently posted a tutorial on creating collages in Photoshop.
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| Spanish moss on an oak tree at Harry P. Leu Gardens |
Anyone can use the premium features of
Picnik until its expiration date April 19, 2012 without having to pay. Check it out if you have a chance. (One caveat, Picnik has been a little sluggish since all the premium features are now free.)
Súhlasím, Picnic je veľmi pomalý. Úpravy fotografií, ktoré sa mi páčili, neboli zadarmo. Nepoužívam na internete nič, za čo sa musí platiť. Na úpravu mojich fotografií mi stačí Picasa 3.
ReplyDeletePozdravujem, Daniela
I've been reading about Picasa 3 and I might give it a test run to see how it works.
DeleteI got an email notifying me that it was going dark. I have only used it a few times. I don't do a lot of editing but I do use Picasa and their collage feature is easy to use.
ReplyDeleteWe must have gotten the same email. I'll download Picasa and try its collage feature.
DeleteI think your pictures are pretty. Did you try GIMP? I use the software that came with my camera, but I have heard a lot of good things about GIMP. I am pretty sure it is free.
ReplyDeleteMasha, thanks for the tip! I will research GIMP and see if it's user friendly.
DeleteSome other free photo editors are very similar to Picnik, like Pixlr, or iPiccy, or Fotoflexer which is the most like Picnik's look and feel and functions. For someone who uses just a few of the special effects or edits, like me, they'll be a fine substitution.
ReplyDeleteLaurrie, thanks for all the options! It looks like I should be able to find something to replace Picnik. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt's too bad, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt is! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWhat I'm looking for is somewhere free to base slideshows to imbed to my blog where they don't disappear after a couple of months; any ideas? Christina
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, but you might want to ask Cindy @Enclos*ure. She does a lot of slide shows in Wordpress, which I think is the platform you're using as well.
DeleteI was so sad to get the announcement...starting using Picasa for collages but will miss many of Picniks features....iPhoto on my Mac does many of the features but not all...
ReplyDeletePicnik was so easy to use. I think I'll miss how it optimized photos for the web most.
DeleteToo bad about Picnik! I used it occasionally but I think I could use help with my photo qualities. THanks for posting about some other options.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out the other options, too and hope that I can find something user friendly.
DeleteUgh...that's a bummer. There's nothing quite as annoying as spending time learning how to use something...and then sort of depending on it, only to have it get discontinued. I hope you can find a good alternative.
ReplyDeleteAt least they gave a lot of advance notice that it's going away!
DeleteI had not heard that news- I do not use it but in my "real job" I have many customers who do- interesting- wonderful blog
ReplyDeleteMO, thanks for stopping by. Your New Orleans post made me a little homesick, especially the magnolia photo. I have a cousin named Moe.
DeleteI just found Picnik! I've only used it to make my blog button, but it was easy and fun to play with. I was thinking I might use it more, but I guess not now!
ReplyDeleteKind of a bummer, like Scott said. But it sounds like there are a lot of other options out there.
DeleteWhat you're able to do with Picnik is truly impressive. I'm sorry that it's going away.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. I'll miss how easy it was to collage.
DeleteI was going to suggest the alternatives that Laurrie mentioned, but I hear GIMP is really pretty good. Many friends use GIMP and have sung the praises. Thanks for the shout out too.
ReplyDeleteDonna, GIMP sounds like a viable alternative. I've also bookmarked your tutorial for future reference. Thanks for all of your helpful tips!
DeleteI have not tried Picnik. I downloaded Picasa and have been using that. I don't really know how it compares to Picnik. I wonder if Picasa will go the same way and be a product for pay.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Google is trying to consolidate its photo products and just have one-Picasa. I didn't mind paying for Picnik.
DeleteAnother vote for Picasa which is free, easy to use, and great for collages.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I will need to do a follow up post on testing the different options people have mentioned.
DeleteWanted to let you know that I appreciate you and your blog so much that I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award....
ReplyDeletehttp://gardenseyeview.com/2012/01/30/true-blue-loyal-blooms/
Donna, that's so sweet. Thank you!
DeleteDrats! I'm sorry to hear this - I love Picnik and will miss it! Looking forward to checking out the rest of your blog and blooms! (and LOVE Aster, btw.)
ReplyDeleteAster is my sweetie. You still have a few months to use Picnik then it's gone for good!
ReplyDelete