10 Surprising Things You Can Do with Photo Editing Software

Are you tired of posting mediocre photos on your social media profiles? Do you want your images to stand out from the crowd? Well, you've come to the right place! In today's digital age, photo editing software has become essential for anyone who wants to enhance their photos and create stunning visuals. This article will delve into the world of photo editing software and free photo editor.

Let’s explore the many surprising things that can be achieved with these powerful tools.

Photo Editing Software: Why You Need It

Photo editing software free allows you to take a good photo and make it great. With the right software, you can adjust exposure levels, remove unwanted objects, and add text and graphics to your images. You can even restore old photos to their former glory or create animated GIFs from your favorite shots. The possibilities are endless!

Different Types of Photo Editing Software

There are many types of photo editing software available, ranging from free photo editor to professional-grade programs that cost hundreds of dollars. Some of the best free photo editing software includes GIMP, Paint.NET, and Pixlr. If you're willing to invest in a paid program, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are among the most popular and powerful options.

Surprising Things That Can Be Achieved with Photo Editing Software

From fixing exposure issues to creating artistic effects, the best photo editing software free can do so much more than just add filters to your selfies. You can create collages and composites, remove backgrounds, and even design web graphics. With the right software and a bit of creativity, the possibilities are truly endless.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer, or a social media influencer to use a free photo editor. You can be someone who loves taking photos, and yet, photo editing software is a tool that you can't afford to ignore. In the next sections, we'll explore some of the surprising things that you can achieve with these powerful tools.

1. Fixing Exposure Issues

Have you ever taken a photo and realized it's too dark or bright? Fear not! A free photo editor can help you fix those exposure issues and make your photos look more professional.

  • Fix Overexposed or Underexposed Photos

When a photo is overexposed, it means that too much light has entered the camera, resulting in a bright and washed-out image. On the other hand, an underexposed photo is too dark and lacks detail. Luckily, a free photo editor can fix both issues. With just a few clicks, you can adjust the exposure levels, brighten up the shadows, and bring back the details in your photos.

  • Fix Color Balance Issues

Sometimes, a photo can have a color cast, meaning it appears too warm or too cool. This is caused by the wrong white balance settings or the lighting conditions during the photo shoot. A free photo editor can help you correct the color balance and make your photos look more natural. You can adjust the temperature and tint of the photo or even use the color correction tools to selectively adjust specific colors.

  • Enhance the Details in Photos

Have you ever taken an almost-perfect photo that lacks that extra bit of sharpness and detail? Well, photo editing software can help you with that too! With the sharpening tools available in most photo editing software, you can highlight the details in your photos and make them look more vibrant and alive.

Karin Blanco Template - Image edited using Photo editing software

Image taken from Strikingly

Whether your photos are too bright, too dark, or too dull, a free photo editor can help you fix those exposure issues and make your images look more professional.

2. Removing Objects

We’ve all been there. We took a photo and realized an unwanted object or person was in the frame. Or maybe there's a blemish or imperfection on someone's face that we all want to remove. With photo editing software, you can easily remove unwanted objects, clone or copy parts of the photo, and erase any imperfections.

  • Remove Unwanted Objects or People from Photos

Removing unwanted objects or people from photos used to be a tedious and time-consuming process, but not anymore! With just a few clicks, you can select the object or person you want to remove, and the photo editing software will fill in the gap with the surrounding pixels. You can also use the clone tool to copy parts of the photo and paste them over the unwanted object or person.

  • Clone or Copy Parts of Photos to Fill in Gaps

Have you sometimes wished that you could clone or copy a part of it to fill in a gap or cover up a mistake? With photo editing software, you can do just that! Simply select the part of the photo you want to clone or copy, and paste it over the area you want to fill. You can even adjust the size and shape of the cloned or copied area to match the surrounding pixels.

  • Erase Blemishes or Imperfections

Nobody's perfect, and neither are our photos. But with photo editing software, you can erase any blemishes or imperfections and make your photos look flawless. Whether it's a pimple on someone's face, a scratch on a car, or a stain on a shirt, the photo editing software can help you remove it with ease.

Whether you want to remove unwanted objects or people, clone or copy parts of your photos, or erase any imperfections, photo editing software has got you covered.

3. Creating Collages and Composites

Photo editing software isn't just for fixing exposure issues or removing unwanted objects – it can also help you create stunning collages and composites that combine multiple photos into one image.

  • Combine Multiple Photos into One Image

With photo editing software, you can easily combine multiple photos into one image and create a stunning collage. You can showcase your travel photos or create a photo album for a special occasion. Photo editing software can help you arrange and merge your photos with ease.

Compass Template - Image edited using Photo editing software

Image taken from Strikingly

  • Create a Panorama Effect

If you've ever tried to capture a breathtaking landscape with your camera, you know how difficult it can be to fit everything into one frame. But with photo editing software, you can create a stunning panorama effect by stitching multiple photos together. Simply take a series of photos of the same scene, and the software will merge them into a seamless panorama.

  • Make a Double Exposure Image

Double exposure images are a popular trend in photography. With a photo editing software, you can create your own double exposure images in just a few clicks. Simply select the two photos you want to combine, adjust the transparency and blending modes, and watch as the software merges the images into a beautiful double exposure.

If you want to create a collage, a panorama effect, or a double exposure image, photo editing software has the tools you need to make your photos stand out.

4. Adding Text and Graphics

Photo editing software can also help you take your photos to the next level by adding text and graphics. You can use this feature to create social media posts, add a watermark to your photos, or simply add some creative flair to your images.

  • Add Text Overlays to Photos

With photo editing software, you can easily add text overlays to your photos. You can add a quote, a caption, or simply label your images. Most software has a variety of fonts and styles to choose from. You can also adjust the size, color, and position of your text to create the perfect look.

Cheesy Land Template - Image edited using Photo editing software

Image taken from Strikingly

  • Add Graphics, Icons, or Logos to Photos

In addition to text overlays, you can also add graphics, icons, or logos to your photos. Feel free to add a company logo to your product photos or create custom graphics for your social media posts. A free photo editor has a variety of built-in graphics and icons to choose from. You can also import your own graphics and adjust the size and position to create the perfect look.

  • Create Social Media Posts or Ads Using Built-In Templates

Photo editing software can help you create stunning social media posts or ads with built-in templates. You can create a Facebook ad, an Instagram post, or a Pinterest graphic. Simply select a template, customize the text and graphics, and you're ready to post.

5. Enhancing Portraits

If you're a professional photographer or an amateur shutterbug, you'll want to know how to enhance your portrait photos.

  • Whiten Teeth and Brighten Eyes

Say goodbye to yellow teeth and dull eyes! With a photo editing software, you can easily whiten teeth and enhance eye brightness to make your portraits more engaging.

  • Smooth Out Skin or Remove Wrinkles

Nobody likes to see blemishes or wrinkles on their face. Fortunately, photo editing software makes it easy to smooth out skin and remove imperfections. You can also adjust skin tone and texture for a flawless finish.

  • Add makeup or change hair color

With photo editing software, you can experiment with different makeup styles or even change hair color without actually applying anything to your face. This is perfect for trying out different looks before committing to a new style.

6. Creating Artistic Effects

Want to give your photos a unique, artistic touch? With photo editing software, you can do just that! Here are some surprising things you can do to create artistic effects:

  • Add Filters or Presets to Photos

You can enhance your photos with various filters and presets to give them a different look or mood. From vintage to modern, there are plenty of options to choose from.

  • Create a Black and White or Sepia Effect

You can easily convert your color photos to black and white or sepia tones to create a timeless, classic look.

Lulu & Co. Template - Image edited using Photo editing software

Image taken from Strikingly

  • Make a Photo Look Like a Painting or a Sketch

With some photo editing software, you can transform your photos into a painting or a sketch. These effects can give your photos a hand-drawn or artistic touch, making them look like they were created by a professional artist.

7. Removing Backgrounds

Ah, the joy of removing backgrounds! It's a time-consuming and tedious task that makes you wonder why you didn't just take the photo against a plain white wall in the first place.

  • Remove the Background of a Photo

If you want to cut out the subject from a photo and place it against a different background, removing the background is the first step. Most photo editing software offers tools like lasso, magic wand, or pen tool to select the object and remove the background. You can also use AI-powered tools that can automatically detect the subject and remove the background with a click of a button.

  • Replace the Background with a Different Image or Color

Once you've removed the background, it's time to add a new one. You can choose a solid color, a gradient, or an image. Some photo editing software offers pre-made backgrounds or templates to choose from. You can also use your own images or create a custom background.

  • Use AI-powered Background Removal Tools

As mentioned earlier, some photo editing software offers AI-powered tools that can automatically remove the background of an image. These tools use machine learning algorithms to detect the subject and remove the background without the need for manual selection. This can save a lot of time and effort, especially when dealing with complex backgrounds. However, keep in mind that the results may not always be perfect, and you may still need to do some manual touch-ups.

8. Restoring Old Photos

Ah, the good old days. When people didn't have digital cameras, and photos were printed on paper. Unfortunately, paper photos can deteriorate over time, losing color, fading, and getting scratches or tears. But fear not! With the magic of photo editing software, you can bring those old photos back to life!

  • Fixing Scratches, Tears, or Fading

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to get creative. One option is to use the clone or healing tool to copy nearby pixels and blend them into the damaged area. Another option is to use the brush tool to manually paint in the missing parts of the photo. And for fading, adjusting the brightness and contrast can help bring back some of the lost detail.

  • Restoring Colors

Sometimes old photos can look washed out or have a yellowish tint due to the type of paper used or exposure to light. But with a little bit of color correction, you can make them look like they were taken yesterday. Most photo editing software comes with tools to adjust the color temperature, saturation, and hue, allowing you to fine-tune the colors until they look just right.

It's important to make sure that your newly restored photos stay in good condition for years to come. Many photo editing software programs come with archival features that allow you to save your photos in high-quality formats that won't degrade over time. Plus, having a digital copy makes it easy to share your newly restored photos with friends and family.

Dust off those old photo albums, fire up your photo editing software, and get to work restoring those precious memories!

9. Making Animated GIFs

Animated GIFs is the perfect way to bring your photos to life! With the right photo editing software, you can turn a series of still images into a fun and engaging animated sequence. Here's how:

  • Create Animated GIFs from Photos

First, choose a series of photos that you want to use for your animation. Then, open your photo editing software and import the images into a new project. Arrange the photos in the order you want them to appear, and set the timing for each frame to create the desired animation effect.

Daryl Template - Image edited using Photo editing software

Image taken from Strikingly

  • Add Text or Effects to Animated GIFs

Want to make your animated GIFs even more exciting? Add some text or special effects! Most photo editing software includes a variety of filters, stickers, and text overlays that you can use to enhance your animated GIFs. Experiment with different options until you find the perfect combination.

  • Export and Share Animated GIFs

Once you've created your animated GIF masterpiece, it's time to share it with the world! Most photo editing software includes an option to export your project as an animated GIF file. Save it to your computer, and then share it on social media, send it to friends and family, or use it in your blog or website.

With these simple steps, you'll be creating animated GIFs like a pro in no time!

10. Designing Web Graphics

The perfect way to add some pizzazz to your website or social media page. Let's dive into some tips on designing web graphics with the help of photo editing software.

  • Designing Web Graphics

How to design web graphics using templates and tools - format to H3 heading

First things first, you'll need to choose the right photo editing software that has web graphic design features. Look for software that offers customizable templates and pre-made graphics that you can use to create your designs. Some of the best photo editing software for designing web graphics are Canva, Adobe Spark, and PicMonkey.

  • Optimize Web Graphics for Faster Loading Times

Now that you've designed your web graphics, you'll want to make sure they load quickly on your website or social media page. To do this, you can use the "Save for Web" option in your photo editing software to compress the file size of your graphics. You can also choose the right file format for your graphic, such as JPEG or PNG, depending on the type of graphic and the level of detail.

Once you've optimized your web graphics, it's time to export and use them. Most photo editing software will allow you to export your graphics as a file that can be easily uploaded to your website or social media page. Be sure to choose the right file format and size for your platform to ensure your graphics look great and load quickly.

With these tips, you'll be able to design stunning web graphics that will make your website or social media page stand out from the crowd.

Showcasing Images on Strikingly

Introducing Strikingly as a platform for creating websites to showcase edited images is like introducing Beyonce as a platform for creating music to showcase your dance moves. It's a match made in heaven!

With Strikingly, you get a user-friendly platform that allows you to create stunning websites with ease. You can customize your design, add text, graphics, and even embed videos to showcase your edited images. The best part? You can do all of this without having to touch a single line of code.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of creating a website on Strikingly that focuses on image showcase.

First, sign up for a free account on Strikingly.com. Once you're in, choose a template that suits your style and needs. Strikingly offers a variety of templates to choose from, so take your time to find the one that speaks to you.

Next, it's time to start building your website. Upload your edited images, and use Strikingly's drag-and-drop editor to add text, graphics, and any other features you want. Strikingly also offers an app store that allows you to add new features like social media integration or Google Analytics.

Once you're happy with your design, hit publish and share your website with the world! With Strikingly, you can easily create a beautiful and professional-looking website that showcases your edited images and tells your story in a unique and compelling way.

Conclusion

A photo editing software has come a long way and can do more than just the basics. From enhancing portraits to creating artistic effects, removing backgrounds, restoring old photos, making animated GIFs, designing web graphics, and showcasing images on platforms like Strikingly, the possibilities are endless. It's surprising what can be done with the right photo editing software tools. If you haven't explored the options available, it's time to do so. There are free photo editing software options and even the best photo editing software is affordable and accessible. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the best tool for your needs.

Start exploring today and unlock your creativity.