Vagabond’s Caravan

The long awaited, online browser-based, ‘express’ & free version of the popular photo-editing software titan, Photoshop Express is finally here!

I signed up and gave it a test drive. I am quite pleased and happy about the whole thing actually, provided that:

1. I never expect miracles from it, it’s an online browser-based application, and it’s FREE. So, no layers, no fancy masking, only some basic but useful tools (but they threw in the Sketch tool, I wonder why).
2. I understand that it’s not so ‘express’ for me because of the terrible connection of our local ISP.
3. You get 2GB free storage (I don’t need it tho, I have my Flickr). I notice the “account type” option in My Account page, and I think we can expect a paid version soon, perhaps something like more features (especially in the “effects” section and more storage).

I am not very good in writing, so I’ll just use a bunch of screenshots to give you guys some preview (like what Physics teacher said, when you need to describe something, draw diagrams, in this case, use screenshot!).

^ You can edit your photos from Google Picasa, Facebook Photos and PhotoBucket directly. A good feature for Blogger.com (it uses Picasa) user and Facebook fans (I was, but I converted to Wordpress.com and Flickr).

^ Grids are provided for the cropping tool, so you can utilize the Rule Of Third when you crop your photo, nice feature Adobe!

^ One of the Basic tool (the tools are categorized into three: Basic, Tuning, Effects. Similar to Picasa, I think), Exposure. Just rollover your cursor on the thumbnails in the sliders, and the preview will change, when you’re happy, just click on the thumbnail to apply. It’s very easy to unto tho, just click the thumbnail in the middle and you’ll revert back to the original exposure.

^ The B&W tool, a number of different B&W are provided.

^ You can import your photos from Facebook Photos, Google Picasa & PhotoBucket to your Photoshop Express gallery, just drag & drop, then wait! =)

^ As usual, these options are necessary for any photo-sharing site/apps.

^ And lastly, something that Photoshop Express wouldn’t be complete without, a browser for user to view others’ photos, thus setting up a community. I hope it works better than Google Picasa’s though. This is an important feature which put Flickr on an absolute position in the photo-sharing business.

So yea, give it a try, you’ll love it. =)