Photoshop Express blurs the cloud and local apps for image editing
Digital image processing is still a challenge for my web-only effort, but it did lessen a bit today. While many folks understandably swear by Adobe Photoshop, don’t overlook the on-line version of Photoshop Express. Although I’m a novice photographer but not a Photoshop user currently, I did just sign up for a free Photoshop Express, which gets me 2 GB of storage to work with. I have to say that in just the first few minutes, I came away very impressed.
Photoshop Express doesn’t currently offer every single function of itsfull-client counterpart, but you’ve got the basics in terms of editing:crop, rotate, red eye reduction, sharpen, exposure and saturation. Itgets more interesting with the other effects: highlight, white balance,tint, hue, pop & color, and distort.
It’s amazing how much thisbehaves like an application that’s locally installed from what I cansee. I also like the ability to link my Flickr account to PhotoshopExpress, although I generally use Flickr as my final repository forcompleted images.
True photo enthusiasts won’t move solely to Photoshop Express anytimesoon: it’s still somewhat limited in terms of functionality and doesn’timport RAW images. In fact, you can only work with JPG images that are10 MB in size or less and they can’t be larger then 4,000 pixels inheight or width. For mainstream consumers with digitalpoint-and-shoots, this free tool is definitely worth some exposure. Heck, I could see this being a nice, use-anywhere tool in a pinch, provided you have JPG source images to work with.
Thebeta service got an upgrade today as well: drag-and-drop image uploadsand support for image tagging are available. Sure makes it easy toupgrade an application when it’s in the cloud, no? Give it a try and show it to some one. Then ask them if they could tell you were using a cloud app. Like I said, I’m impressed in just a few short minutes. Think I’ll go kick the tires a little more.
I’m loath to add another UserID and password (do they do OpenID?!!), so let me ask you:
1) Easy to crop pics?
2) Easy to rescale and drop bit rates? (I usually drop everything down to 72dpi.)
3) Red-eye reduction?
Here’s one tool for Kevin’s “cloud toolbox” http://gui.picresize.com/picresize2/ pic rezise
See? Kevin is too good to reply to us peasants. Ever since he decided he should be President!
Sorry Mike, I figured the “Try Me” link that doesn’t require a registration would have caught your eye.
Seriously, part of the allure here is to experience how well this cloud app works. Yup, features are obviously important, but the experience is just so seamless. Plus, they can add features on a whim and you don’t have to re-install anything. In any case, I took some time out of my morning Presidential briefing… just for you. 
Yes, easy to crop pics. It even offers gridlines during the crop so you can use the “rule of thirds” for composition.
Easy to rescale / resize with a few standard sizes (mobile, e-mail, website, etc…) and a fully custom one. No dice on modding the dpi at this time.
Yup, a simple and effective red-eye reduction.