why I love picnik

sunrise before

Any budding photographers out there who don’t want to spend a lot of money but would like to make their pictures pop?  I hesitate to post this because I would love for you to think that every photo I take is frame-worthy. In the spirit of being technically vulnerable, I introduce you to the beauty of Picnik.

sunrise

I admit this one may be a bit over-done, but it’s fun to play around with. They also have a premium service you can pay for, but I have been able to get a lot out of the free one so far. I don’t use it for photos I plan to print or for ones I shoot for other people, but so far I really like it for blog post photos.

Now go upload something and impress yourself! If you do it and have a great before and after, post it and let me know in the comments. I love a good before and after shot.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:03 AM and is filed under a photographer.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

45 comments

  1.   Amy on November 6, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    Oh I like this photo. How fun. I was just looking at Adobe Lightroom and can’t quite swing th purchase. I need to go and check this out. Thanks for the post.

  2.   Gussy on November 6, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    I heart Picnik because it let’s me do rounded corners on my photos SUPER FAST!!! :)

  3.   deidra on November 6, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    I’m a picniker, too. I just upgraded when they introduced the fun Halloween graphics. My poor photoshop icon sits on my desktop untouched these days!

  4.   dawn on November 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    Emily! I just played with Piknik and made the sunrise picture on my blog look more like what I saw. Thanks for the tip–a little birthday present you didn’t know you gave me! :0) Thanks!!

  5.   alison on November 6, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    I need to try that! I’ve been working with Photoshop Express, which is free on Photoshop’s website, but I always like having other options!

  6.   Kelly on November 6, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    a VERY striking edit – funny, I like the real better. :-) Beautiful, though. Love the composition!

  7.   Dayle on November 6, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    I’ve never fooled with photo enhancers, but the funny thing is I’ve had people ask me if some of my outdoor shots are “photo-shopped.” They aren’t, so I guess that means my $250 Kodak Z1015 is a keeper. :) I just wish it was a tad smaller.

    Great before and after shots, by the way. It’s amazing what you can do with those programs.

  8.   Amy on November 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    I HEART PICNIK! My friend sent me your way…love, love your blog! :)

    Blessings!

  9.   Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt on November 6, 2009 at 12:51 PM

    I lurve picnik, too. :)

  10.   Joyeful on November 6, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    I just stumbled across your blog from another one and it has been a wonderful visit! I’m sure there will be many more! Thank you so much for the Picnik hint, I am very, very, excited to try it out!!!

  11.   Sarah on November 6, 2009 at 1:49 PM

    They are beautiful, Emily! I like messing with Picnik as well ;)

  12.   Baby Mama on November 6, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    AWESOME!! Thanks for this tip!

  13.   Tiffany on November 6, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    Oh my goodness. thank you for this. I love this site. I just started an account. Love all the things I can do with it!

  14.   Amy on November 6, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    photoshop.com also has some great editing stuff you can do for free. :)

  15.   Jenny Lynn on November 6, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    so, out of curiousity….what do you use on pictures you’re going to print or shoots that you do for other people? Would LOVE to know! I’m looking into getting Photoshop Elements but I’m not sure if I should wait and save up for Photoshop or just go with Elements, or…do you have other suggestions? (I’m hoping to start a small — meaning VERY small– photography business on the side). Thanks!!

  16.   Ashley on November 6, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    I have been drooling over your photos since I found your blog! Thanks for the suggestion!

  17.   Jill on November 6, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    Wow, I’ll have to check that out. I bet that program could even make my house look look like I have magic lightbulbs like yours. ;-) Hee-hee!!!! Thanks for your response the other day, girlie!

  18.   Jill on November 6, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    I *heart* picnik too…have used it for a while now. The premium service has a lot of neat features…definitely worth the $25 annual fee. :)

  19.   Jo on November 6, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    I love picnik and love looking through your shots as well. I am learning photography myself and completely addicted. Can I ask why you wouldn’t edit a picture in picnik that you are planning to print. I have done this that I can remember but wondered if you have a bad experience with the quality in printing.

    THanks for the great shots. Beautiful.

  20.   Kimberly on November 6, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    I’ve been drooling over your photos for a while now. Have you done any sort of tutorials on how to use the camera? I NEED help!!

  21.   Life with Kaishon on November 6, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Oh so pretty : )
    I don’t have a before and after but I do have a pretty baby on my blog today if you want to come and say hi!

  22.   mandie segura on November 6, 2009 at 4:25 PM

    Here’s my before:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29104167@N06/4020730589/in/set-72157622608016530/

    and here’s my after:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29104167@N06/4020856727/in/set-72157622608016530/

    This was just using the free services, too! They don’t always turn out that great and different, but it sure is nice when they do! :)

  23.   thegypsymama on November 6, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    Totally LOVE picnik too!

  24.   Jamie @ Six Bricks High on November 6, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll be sure and check it out. Why is it that you don’t use it for pictures you are going to print?

  25.   Boy Crazy (@claritychaos) on November 6, 2009 at 5:52 PM

    Have you ever used Picasa? And if you have, do you like Picnik better? Thanks for the tips. :)

  26.   jeff on November 6, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    radio tower in SF:
    before, http://jeffarchipley.com/before.jpg
    after, http://jeffarchipley.com/after.jpg

    Not a very good photo, even worse edit, but a fun exercise with the tool and a decent example of what it can do (most notably so in the hands of an amateur that’s never been known for having a good eye).

    Think I’ve found my go to quick edit app. Sorry Paint.NET, you’re just too bloated. No I don’t think it’s all water-weight, but I still love you. Sort of.

  27.   deb@talk at the table on November 6, 2009 at 8:46 PM

    Loving Picnik too.

  28.   Kristi K. on November 6, 2009 at 10:56 PM

    Hi Emily,

  29.   Kristi K. on November 6, 2009 at 10:58 PM

    Hi Emily,

    Thanks for the tip!! Your pictures are always so good…with or without Picnik!

  30.   Emily@remodelingthislife on November 6, 2009 at 11:57 PM

    I have actually grumbled to myself on more than one occasion about how much I dislike picnik. Not because of picnik itself but because it seems like I see so many people that make their photos look totally fake and ruin them with it. Like a crazy lady with big hair that wears too much makeup. Of course, your example is as classy as you are and you have made me want to give it a chance.

  31.   The Accidental Housewife on November 7, 2009 at 7:18 AM

    Emily,

    I was thinking (this has nothing to do with picnik btw, but I do heart actual picnics) that it would be great if you could write about the things in your wardrobe. Namely clothes. You always look ridiculously well put together, stylish but modest, and I want to know all your secrets so I can shamelessly copy.

    Thanks!

  32.   emily on November 7, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    Well aren’t you so very complimentary Ms. Accidental Housewife. Unfortunately, my wardrobe is about as accidental as your housewifing. I have no secrets unless you count hardly ever buying new clothes and not ironing a secret. I’m tempted to think you have mixed me up with my sister The Nester.

  33.   Made to Organize » Blog Archive » PICNIK on November 7, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    [...] do minor editing, etc, but I had never checked it out for myself. My sweet blogger friend from Chatting at the Sky had a before and after picture that she had edited on Picnik and challenged us to try it out for [...]

  34.   Audrey on November 7, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have a friend on facebook that edits her photos magnificently and I know she has told people in the past that she uses Photoshop, which happens to scare the crap out of me. I LOVE picnik! I signed up and did a before and after post…JUST FOR YOU! :) http://www.madetoorganize.com/2009/11/picnik/

  35.   The Accidental Housewife on November 7, 2009 at 7:25 PM

    Emily,

    nope, no mix up! Although Nester always looks lovely too. Not ironing sounds like an excellent idea, but I think it would make me look even more slap dash than normal.

  36.   Melanie on November 7, 2009 at 11:23 PM

    I have heard of it but haven’t tried it. I will head over there and try it.

  37.   Stephaine @ Geezees on November 8, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    Love your photos….I’ll have to head over and try it!!

  38.   The Scooper on November 8, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Fun! Thanks for the tip. I just use my simple iPhoto tricks. It is easy and safe and not fancy like Photo Shop {which I’m scared of.} Can’t wait to give Picnik a whirl. Oh, and I loved your last post.

  39.   Jill on November 9, 2009 at 10:45 AM

    You are such a doll to share your photo secrets. I can’t wait to play around with this! I bet I can even make my lightbulbs look like magic ones! HAHA!!!

  40.   Jill on November 9, 2009 at 10:42 PM

    Ok, so I just realized that the comment I left the other day actually went through, and I didn’t think it did. So, I re-commented. Now, I have two comments on here talking about magic lightbulbs and I look like a complete nutjob. Oh my. :-)

  41.   Jaimie on November 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Hey, you inspired me! http://yesmom8.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-do-you-think.html

  42.   Baby Mama on November 10, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Hey Lady! I finally did some tricks with picnik and wanted to share them with you!

    http://ofloveandababy.blogspot.com/2009/11/photo-editing-im-having-way-too-much.html

    Thanks for the info, i am a picnik fan forever now :)

  43.   Anna on November 10, 2009 at 11:37 PM

    Picnik is rather addictive, isn’t it? So glad to hear others like to over-process their photos too! I love the uber-vibrancy of your sunset.

  44.   J.J. on November 15, 2009 at 1:29 AM

    I think that sun in the second photo was so bright it burned my retina, hee hee.

  45.   Kathy Wilson on November 17, 2009 at 1:25 PM

    Thanks for posting this! I gave it a shot and gave you credit on my post! Love it!

    http://eskimomomma.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-beautiful-fall-day.html

leave a comment

CommentLuv Enabled