TheUniqueBoutique
|
posted on June 30, 2004 05:45:50 PM new
I am looking for other seller's recommendations of photo editing utilities/software that best serves the needs of auction listing photo preparation.
I am not a graphic pro... although I am putting considerable effort into more studio minded photography. My main objectives for "apre-photo" are easy resizing to meet the 350kb limitations and the adding and custom placement of watermark/text to protect my image rights.
Any input from those in the "know" will be much appreciated!
|
OhMsLucy
|
posted on June 30, 2004 06:18:02 PM new
Hi Unique,
I've used Microsoft Picture It! for about five years. It's very easy to change the saved size of the picture. (I generally opt for maybe 500 pixels wide.)
Not as sophisticated as Adobe Photo Shop, which I also have but it's certainly adequate for eBay pics. Adobe is better, or so I understand, but I find it extremely hard to navigate, reminds me of PowerPoint. Probably I've just not taken the time to master it.
As far as watermarking, you can do that right here on Vendio. Inexpensive ($2.95 a month) and very simple. The nice thing about Vendio watermarking is if you decide to change something, the change appears in all pictures, including the ones in active auctions.
Lucy
P.S. I can't imagine using a picture that even approaches 350k in an auction. It would take FOREVER to load. Also not necessary for web use.
|
max40
|
posted on June 30, 2004 07:18:15 PM new
I shoot all my ebay pictures at 640x480, more than adaquate size. If I need to crop, brighten or darken them I use an older version of Corel Photo House. Does a nice job and easy to use.
|
lindajean
|
posted on June 30, 2004 07:27:18 PM new
A free program from Irfanview.com for resizing and fixing color balance.
|
myoldtoy
|
posted on June 30, 2004 07:27:36 PM new
[ edited by myoldtoy on Jun 30, 2004 07:29 PM ]
|
myoldtoy
|
posted on June 30, 2004 07:34:09 PM new
unique:
if you use XP, vendio has a bulk upload program thru Sales Manager...there is a link on "image hosting" page for complete info...
i am trying to upload an image to give you idea of its power...the image is unedited..the file size is: 823KB; pixels are: 1238 x 1125 - this is the downloaded size to hard drive from my 2pixl sony..when you use the program, and post to the web[vendio], the image is stored at 60 x 54 pixels...the program gives you 3 picture sizes to upload to your auction...as example mine loads to auction at 800 x 600 pixels[vendio calls this their medium size]...the great part of this program is once you figure out how to image; you can load most, if not all, with no editing...you cannot do this with Sales Manager Pro...
-------------------
..and while i dont load more than 25-50 auctions per week; this program may not work real well for bulk auctions like many posters here do..
--------------------
hope this image appears; and maybe this will give you idea of what you can run.
-----------------
EDITED TO ADD: this is the image as it will appear in the auction; at 800x 600pixels...
[ edited by myoldtoy on Jun 30, 2004 07:35 PM ]
[ edited by myoldtoy on Jun 30, 2004 07:37 PM ]
|
TheUniqueBoutique
|
posted on June 30, 2004 11:09:37 PM new
Being this is my first request to the Vendio forum I am very impressed with the helpful input and effort from everyone that has responded to me thus far! There are some great recommendations and suggestions already and I can't thank you enough.
It is so nice to know that there are others willing to take the time and put forth the effort to help one another. What a great example of community! Thank you and I will be following the advice already given and look forward to reading others once they post.
|
classicrock000
|
posted on July 1, 2004 01:56:52 AM new
I also use Microsofts picture it-very easy to use--I can post some of my naked pics if you want to see how good the quailty is
|
bootclan
|
posted on July 1, 2004 05:34:13 AM new
I have used Adobe Photo Shop Elements for years. It is one of the best and most simple to use that I have found. It is much more simple to use than Adobe Photo Shop.
|
cblev65252
|
posted on July 1, 2004 05:38:08 AM new
I use MS PhotoDraw. I have MGI PhotoSuite and other utilities, but I find PhotoDraw the easiest to use.
Cheryl
|
tomwiii
|
posted on July 1, 2004 05:56:49 AM new
I've used IRFAN VIEW for the past 5 years, & it keeps getting bETTER & BETTER as each issue comes out!
HOW can ye beat FREE??
http://www.deadzoom.com/member/nktower/tutorials/IrfanView_Tutorial_New.htm
833
|
photosensitive
|
posted on July 1, 2004 06:12:10 AM new
My advise: 3 words - Adobe Photoshop Elements.
I use the full version of Photoshop every day but I got Elements for my sister who is computer challenged (which she admits with seeming pride) and it works great for her. It is much cheaper than the full version but has a lot of the same features. It comes free with some scanners and cameras and earlier versions should be even cheaper.
It may be more than you need for basic cropping and sizing but will give you a world of possibilities if you ever want them.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
|
iceicepenguin
|
posted on July 1, 2004 08:10:37 AM new
Add my vote for Microsoft Picture It.
Been using it all along. Very easy to use and navigate. All you really need for Ebay auction photos.
In fact, I got a disc for the free 7.0 version of Picture It Express with my ink refills.
If you send me your address I'll be happy to send it to you so you can see what it's like and give it a try.
[email protected]
Gerri
|
eauctionmgnt
|
posted on July 1, 2004 08:18:21 AM new
I agree completely with Photosensitive. PhotoShop Elements is an excellent choice for image editing software. It is advanced enough to provide all the necessary skills, yet easy enough to learn quickly.
Since you mentioned you're interested in watermarking and resizing... you may want to know that Photoshop Elements will do both of those for you automatically, in batch lots!!! Just dump all the pictures you want resized/watermarked in one folder. Then, you tell Photoshop Elements to create a "Web Photo Gallery" from the pictures in that photo. You tell it what size you want the pictures re-sized to, and add your custom text for the watermark. Then, you press OK.... and your computer does the work! It opens all your files, re-sizes them, and places the watermark. You'd only have to invest about 1-2 minutes of your time to get hundreds of files resized and watermarked (Although... your computer might take a while to apply the changes to the files... you'd be free to do other stuff... like take more pictures!)
And that's just one of the many things Photoshop Elements can do for you. The more you play with the program, the more you'll like it. I highly recommend it.
[ edited by eauctionmgnt on Jul 1, 2004 08:20 AM ]
|
neroter12
|
posted on July 1, 2004 08:40:06 AM new
Lucy, I used Picture it, too. very good software for a freebie! but does one have to subscribe to some faction of microking to get it?? that i dont know.
|
OhMsLucy
|
posted on July 1, 2004 08:42:36 AM new
Picture It! was bundled with my camera. As far as I know I haven't subscribed to anything. I do have Windows XP so maybe that's part of it.
|
nanntique
|
posted on July 1, 2004 12:20:00 PM new
I agree about Irfanview being a super program, and btw thanks for reminding me to upgrade it, as I was about 4 revisions down.
--------------------------------------------
Invest in the Future, by saving some of the Past!
|
kbrown7556
|
posted on July 1, 2004 01:47:24 PM new
I was reading all this with great interest. My pictures for auction have been a challenge for me. The Tomwiii posting about the free IrfanView was great and I'm curious about the little video by the very last picture of the train at the very end. Did you do this video yourself? Would it be possible to do something similar on 'about Me' page.
|
lindajean
|
posted on July 1, 2004 08:22:37 PM new
I use DC Enhance to improve the quality of my digital pix. It is another freeware offer and you won't believe what it does to scans and digital photo's until you see it for yourself. Almost 100% automatic but I do sometimes have to tone down the color on some before saving.
You can get it here:
http://www.mediachance.com/digicam/enhancer.htm
This one and Irfanview covers just about everything I need. I do have Adobe Photoshop elements which came on my computer, but it is just too much for most of my needs and the other two are quicker and easier for me.
|
