Edit Those Photos–Simple Method

It can be very helpful to have a simple photo editing software whenever an old or recent photo needs something special. You may not think to touch up, fix up, enhance any of your old vintage family portraits, but sometimes those are the ones that need that special touch up.

Scanning the image is the first step. If you do not have a scanner, you might find a friend who does have a scanner and will assist you. Also many of the photo processing locations can scan your old photos. That is something you should do anyway, scan those cherished photos so in case something happens to them or they begin to deteriorate, you have a copy in digital form.

Once on your computer in digital format and grouped based on family surnames as a suggestion you can start with this free online editing program. It is called Tuxpi Photo Editor. It instructs you to download an image. Your image does need to be in jpeg format. It will then quickly download and appear on your monitor screen.

At the top will be several selections to start with. You can add Text, change the color and contrast, resize the image (smaller or larger), you can Crop (select just the portion you want), or if need be rotate the image. A reminder, this will not change your original digital image because any changes are later SAVED with another name. If you are doing your grandmother’s wedding portrait, you would want the same file title, just add – ‘edit’ to the end and it is saved.

Scroll on down and some really interesting editing tools are available. There are 13 different edge effects to choose from and then 17 different frame styles, next 13 color and tone effects and lastly 15 really fun forms to add interesting character to an image. Each has a thumbnail example of the effect to view.

Not all these different choices would you use on each photo. There are some photos nothing should be done to. Under the color and tone the sepia effect is a great one to use. It can make a black and white image truly into an antique-style picture. Another interesting effect is the ‘photo to painting’ style, making the image now appear as an oil painting. Experiment with the different effect ans see what you like best. If you don’t like a certain effect, just click the ‘X‘ in the top left corner to remove that effect. If it is acceptable, click the upper left with ‘Add Effect’.

Using the Text tool at the top is super for labeling images. True you know who this person is, but does your grandson? Always label – label – label, the photos. Using this Text tool makes it easy, again just place – ‘label’ or some other key word for its file name. If you are doing any other effect, such as sepia, do that first and last add the text. Arrange the labeled name where ever you want on the image, change the lettering color or font. If you don’t like it, just click the ‘X‘ to the left and it is off.

Adding a frame to an image really finishes an image. Experiment with the selections because even with a certain style, on the left are various changes than can be also done.

Once you have your finish image, go to left and click on the ‘Save – Download to my computer’. Depending on your computer it will either have you browse for the folder to place it in or put in a special Download Folder. The program titled the image ‘Tuxpi’ with a series of numbers. Remember to rename it so it is not the same as the original or just keep these edited images in a separate family photo folder titled ‘Edited images’.

A really great, free, easy, online and fun software program to use. Bookmark this Tuxpi site, you will use it many times. How about getting some images done in time for Christmas?

Photo: Martin Maloney, taken about 1909. Edited with sepia toning, contrast and an impressive frame.

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