A Student Review of Picnik.com

    Picnik.com is a type of webware which can create, edit, and manipulate images. It allows people to personalize their website or blog. Photos can help express author's ideas. Picnik.com is similar to some professional (and very expensive) software, like Photo-shop. When I compared this website to Photo-shop, I noticed many similarities and only minimal differences.

    The image above is an example of some manipulations possible on Picnik.com. To begin with, I uploaded my image onto the site. Once uploaded, you have the option of cropping an image, rotating it, auto correcting it, etc.. With the photo above I chose not to crop, and continued onto the Create button. Under the Create button, the user can access many different tools. The first thing I did, was scrolled down to the tint button, picked a pretty blue color, then applied it to my image. Once I was satisfied with the new color, I went to the HDRish tool which gives the image a unrealistic appearance and feel. With just these two tools I was able to drastically change my photo from bland and boring, to colorful and interesting. Once done, you go to Save and Share.


    The thing that impressed me the most was how easy it was to use and navigate. I have tried Gimp (which is essentially a knock-off of Photo-shop) but quickly learned it was confusing and difficult to use. One of the best qualities about Picnik.com is how it is clearly labeled and fun. The only part that was slightly annoying or a nuisance, were the Premier Features. Premier Features are pay-for features. Luckily, there are more free features, than pay-for features so this does not limit your creative vision too much. Once done, all you have to do is press Save and Share. You now have two options: saving it to your computer, or sharing it directly onto a website of your choice. For instance, you can work on a picture of you and your friend and decide to upload it onto Facebook. At the top bar are some options of how and where to save the photo. You simply move the mouse over to the More button, then slide down to Facebook.

    In a review from Jake Dahn, he says, "So by simplicity, and ease of uploading, they have the big boys beat." Mr. Dahn seems amazed at how quickly and easily you can upload a photo onto another website. I have to agree with Mr. Dahn because this is a very useful application that, sadly, Photo-shop and other big softwares don't offer to users. This tool can help the "Average Joe" edit and create masterpieces for little to no cost. All in all, I agree with Mr. Dahn and give Picnik.com a thumbs up.