10 Image Editors and Online Tools

There are, I imagine, very few people these days who don't know how easy it can be to make some minor changes to an image. Image editing software has given us the ability to improve the contrast, to alter a colour, to remove blemishes and eliminate unwanted subjects.

However, no matter how easy the process, for the majority of amateurs the need for these types of programs don't justify the economics. 

There is of course no need to give up. As it is with anything a simple search on Google will turn up any number of inexpensive, even free, software. Two of the most popular for working with web-ready graphics (JPG, PNG and GIF) are GIMP and getPaint.net.  There are also online tools for simple fixes.

As we are all only too well aware,  life is about choice. What works for one person may not be the ideal for the other. Individual needs and capabilities are as variable and complex as the world-wide web itself. So with time on my hands and curiosity on my mind, I decided to scope out some options.

In addition to the two I mentioned above here are a few others I found:

UltimatePaint  is a Windows graphics program for image creating, viewing and manipulation.

If you want to edit pictures and apply photo effects, text or even paint then you might want to try iPiccy the Online Photo Editor

If an app is what you want you can do just about anything to your photos with befunky

PhotoPlus Starter Edition is a easy and free photo editor.

FatPaint, an advanced online graphic design software and editor has plenty of tools and resources.

PicMonkey is a popular photo editor with exclusive filters, touch-up tools.

slimber.com is an online drawing application.

The ImageBot Editor features photo editing, drawing, sticker and logo capabilities.

4 Clipart Collections for Book Lovers

Book or tablet. This  seems to be the hot-button topic of discussion  for readers these days.

Arguments for the latter stress what technology has done to improve upon the traditional page turner. For ageing eyes, the ability to enlarge print is invaluable. For travelling,  the fact that several books can come along on one device is a bonus when packing.  Also, making book purchases and having them uploaded immediately to your tablet is handy should you ever (heaven forbid) run out of reading material.

I,  however, am still a fan of  the written word on a physical product. I like the feel of a book in my hands,  the ritual of turning pages. There's really not many pastimes I enjoy more than curling up in a comfy chair to read — a book. A real, honest-to-goodness book.  I have a tablet and it's just not the same.  For me.

Next week I am heading away for a lovely week at the beach. I have, after weighing the pros and cons  decided that while there is only one reason not to pack my tablet, it's the best one. I want to settle on the deck with a real book in my hand. That's it.

So rather than the convenience of a single source of reading material my bags will be laden with hardcovers and paperbacks.

And for all of you who, as I do,  cherish the smell, feel and joy of a book,  here are some clipart collections you're sure to love:

iCLIPART.com

Clipart.com

ClickArt Online

Acclaim Images

2 Collections of Teacher Photos

While youngsters here are fitting in as much summer fun as possible before school starts next week, there is one group that has already found their way back to the classroom.

Our eldest child is a teacher, and he and his colleagues are busily preparing lesson plans and getting their spaces set up for another school year.

As a mother of a man who has thrown his heart and soul into teaching for 15 years, I tend to get a bit defensive when I hear people ragging on the profession. There are bad apples in every bushel no matter what the job. Teachers are no exception.

However, what I can say from the experience of knowing many, and one extremely well, is that all those holidays they get aren't what you think. Just because the kids are out doesn't mean the work stops. 

This summer our son worked into July, took a course or two along the way and as mentioned has been back at it for several days now.  Once he does return his day begins at 7:30 a.m. and and rarely ends before 4:30 that afternoon.  The half hour for lunch is often spent supervising students in the cafeteria or outside.

For me, from now until next year, planning a family activity is probably going to mean our son will show up with papers to grade, even at Christmas.

So with back-to-school coming ever closer for students, these photo collections salute the ones who are already preparing to guide and educate them for another year:

iPHOTOS.com

Clipart.com

16 Face and Body Enhancing Photoshop Tutorials

Before we start the conversation here, it's imperative I stress first that we are all beautiful. This is always a very important thing to remember. 

There's no end to the adages reminding us in one way or another that when it comes to beauty there's more than the aesthetic in play. Trite they may have become  but it makes them no less true.

Words of wisdom too remind us that what appeals to some doesn't necessarily appeal to another. There will always be someone who finds the most gorgeous supermodel less than desirable. To coin the cliché, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yet, while the message is to accept and love yourself, while we might not exactly strive towards an unattainable perfection, we certainly do want to put our best foot forward.  We workout not just for health and fitness, but also to trim and tone. We apply makeup to cover and highlight.  We primp and we preen. 

Then there are pictures. Where once upon a time only the famous got to have tiny flaws airbrushed away,  today's image editing software allows us to step up our game face a bit.

For Tutorial Tuesday then I decided to scope out some Photoshop plastic surgery for those pictures where we know we're beautiful, but the camera lied.

Whiten Teeth

Remove Blemishes

Change Eye Colour

Beauty Retouching

Digital Nip Tuck

Thicken Eyelashes

Trimming Weight

Apply Eye Makeup

Remove Dark Circles

Brighten the Eyes

Add Shine to Hair

Add Highlights to Hair

Enhance/Enlarge Bust

Take Weight Off

Pretty Fingernails

Wrinkle Remover

5 Clipart Sources for Baseball Images

Nothing says summer like baseball and fortunately the way our Toronto Blue Jays have been playing, it doesn't look as if our season is going to end too soon. The team is on fire and whether you're one of the die-hard faithful or just jumping on the bandwagon, it's plenty exciting to see.

After the 1992-93 back-to-back World Series championships,  there seemed to be a steady fall to the basement. For fans it was tough to watch.

For our youngest child during the team's heyday, life was all about the game. He was an excellent player, adept at most positions,  consistent in his hitting. But more importantly he had a zeal for the game.  When he wasn't playing or practising he was watching.

In those days besides faithfully following his games, my hubby and I watched televised games and attended Jays games with him. I never dreamt then that things would change.

At the age of 13, however,  he discovered the guitar and as his proficiency in this field grew, the ball glove and bat took second place on his priority list.

This change coincidentally, or perhaps not, came as favourites on the Jays roster began departing and the glory days seemed to be behind them.  Eventually, it became hard to watch the struggles and losses with none of our heroes left on the team.  We ultimately found other ways to spend our leisure time.

But now it seems the boys of summer are back — and with them a renewed excitement in the game.  So, while we are finishing the final days before kids return to school, while autumn is sitting poised prettily for its debut,  baseball is keeping summer alive.  We celebrate it with these fun collections:

iCLIPART.com

Clipart.com

Acclaim Images

ClickArt Online

ClipartGuide