iPhoto is the basic photo-editing software that comes pre-installed on Apple computers. For free software, this program’s actually pretty handy. Many amateur photographers only use iPhoto to edit their images. Though iPhoto comes with enough gadgets and tools to keep the amateur shutterbug satisfied for years, more advanced shooters or those looking at online Bachelors programs in Photography should make an investment in Adobe Photoshop.
Basic Editing Features in iPhoto
Use iPhoto to perform basic editing techniques like cropping, rotating, or image resizing. iPhoto comes with an “Enhance” button that acts like an auto photo editor, brightening or adding contrast to a picture automatically. You can retouch blemishes with an airbrush tool and correct red-eye either through automatic detection or manual removal. You can also manually adjust each photo’s setting through a basic “Adjust” window which includes toggles for:
- Exposure
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Definition
- Highlights
- Shadows
- Sharpness
- Denoise
- Temperature
- Tint
Users can also play around with various instant effects, such as:
- Black and White
- Sepia Tones
- Antique
- Fade Color
- Boost Color
- Matte
- Vignette
- Edge Blur
Cataloging Photos
iPhoto lets users add a location to each album. You can then visit the iPhoto map and see virtual “pins” of all the places you and your camera have been. iPhoto also has unique face-recognition software that helps users “tag” photos of their friends and family. These tags can then be easily uploaded to Facebook. Several exporting plug-ins are available, including one for Facebook, Flickr, and MobileMe. Users can create custom albums or have iPhoto automatically create a “smart album” for them
