Session 3 - Multimedia applications - imaging

There are many, many, many different Multimedia software packages, applications and/or tools. In this class, we will concentrate on those that are readily available that are free or have a reasonably functional free option. Today we will look at some photo editing tools.

Pixlr

Pixlr would have to be one of my favourite multimedia applications. It is essentially a photo editing application and has some similarities with Photoshop when you use the Pixlr editor, but also has the easier application called Pixlr Express (recently upgraded to Pixlr X). The reason I like it so much is that it has an extremely functional free option, but is still very powerful. Its only downfall is the advertisements that appear on the right hand side of the screen, but I think that is only a small inconvenience.

It has been around since 2008 and has been through much ongoing development during that time


https://pixlr.com/

Pixlr X

We will start by exploring Pixlr X, which is the updated version of Pixlr Express. The addition of Layers down the right hand side make this a very powerful and flexible photo editing tool.

Last week I asked you to make sure that you had some images that you could use in class. Hopefully you all remembered and some photos that you can play with. If not, you can use the ones on Moodle or the Stock photos, but I think you will have more fun using your own.




The landing page gives you the choices of Pixlr X and Pixlr E. Pixlr X is Pixlr Express - an easy way to edit and/or create images. From the Pixlr X opening screen, you can click on any of the images that you have previously used in Pixlr or you can drag an image from one of your folders across and have it load in Pixlr X.



From here you can click on the blue button for OPEN IMAGE or you can drag an image from a folder onto this page and it will open up that image.

The menu choices are down the left hand side of the screen and the Layers are on the right hand side. If anyone has used imaging software such as Photoshop, they will understand what layers do and why they are important. 

Here are the descriptions of what each of the buttons on the left does.







Layout and Template

This allows you to resize your image or resize your canvas. When you resize your canvas, you have a selection of how you want to place the image on the new canvas





Resizing the image is useful if you want to create a thumbprint or a smaller image for use on the web. Resizing the canvas allows you to increase the canvas size and then place your image on the canvas. A good example could be if you wanted to add some text to the bottom of the image, but not on top of the image. In this example, I have added 200 pixels to the bottom of the image.






The end result is that I added 200px to the bottom of my image. You can then change the colour and add text for a caption or meme.

Crop

Crop allows you to crop and straighten your image. Crop is used to select the part of your image that you want to keep. You can crop it to whatever size you want using the handles. Straightening actual performs a crop, so you do lose some of your image. Straightening can help you get those straight horizons or focus in on lines on your image.




Cutout

Cutout can be used to remove backgrounds or areas of your image using a variety of tools.




Adjust, Filter, effect and Liquify

These tools can be used to apply a variety of different effects to your image. Adjust can be used to enhance the colour or turn your image black and white. Filter, effect and liquify allow you to apply a variety of different effects to your image.

Here are a few examples:







Retouch and Drawing

Retouch includes tools such as heal and clone - these can be used to get rid of small blemishes or objects from an image. Drawing allows you to paint over the top of your image.





Class Activity 1

Using a variety of images, try out a variety of these tools. Share the before and after results in our Facebook group.

You should try:
  • Layout and Theme
  • Crop and Rotate
  • Cutout
  • Adjust and Filter
  • Effect
  • Retouch

Text, elements and images

Use the text tool to add text to your image. You can change the font, size, colour, styling plus line and letter spacing.


Add an element such as an overlay, shape, border or sticker



You can even add other images to your current image!



Save


Use the Save button at the bottom of the image to download your image to your computer and save it. There are a variety of different settings depending on the purpose for the image.


Class Activity 2

Try using some of the element tools and share your results with the class. Make sure you provide a brief description of the tools that you used.

Class Activity 3

Use the photo editing tools to apply some of the photo composition examples we looked at last week:

Examples could include:
  • Use Cropping to apply a "Fill the Frame" composition using an image of your choice
  • Use Cropping to apply a "Rule of Thirds" composition using an image of your choice
  • Use Rotate to apply a "Straight Horizons" composition using an image of your choice
Try some of your own.

Post a "Before" and "After" image into the Facebook group (single post) to share with the class.

Other online Photo editing tools

Photoshop Express


Photoshop express is another simple online photo editing application. It doesn't have quite as many features as Pixlr Express, but has a very clean interface.



Class Activity 4

Try using some of the adjustment tools with Photoshop Express and post in our Facebook group.

Fotor




Collage






Editor


Class Activity 5

Try creating a Collage with Fotor

Class Activity 6

These are just a few of the photo editing/imaging tools that are available online. Have a look on the internet and see whether you can find any others. Share with the class:

  • Name of application
  • Website URL
  • What you get for free
  • Cost of upgrade/pro edition
  • What you thought of it - ease of use/features etc.




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