Photo Editing Apps

GIMP and digiKam

Photo editing is best done using the photography login available on some computers so that photographs and image files can be kept organized in one area, usually in the photos directory (folder). Obtain login password from computer savvy staff. Dropbox is available for sharing across computers (More on Dropbox). Keep in mind that only computers with sufficient power and memory have these photo apps installed.

AppsTwo excellent, professional caliber apps that can be used for photo editing are GIMP and digiKam. Both are open source apps. If GIMP is comparable to Photoshop, digiKam might be similar to Apple's Aperture or iPhoto apps.

Which to use?

Strictly Photo EditingBoth digiKam and GIMP have sophisticated editing tools well worth exploring. If you are interested only in photo editing, whether to use GIMP or digiKam is a matter of personal preference. Try them both out and see which you like better. Educating yourself a little beforehand will not only save you loads of time and energy down the road, it will open windows onto creative opportunities making the whole process far more fun and rewarding. The investment of time and energy in learning these apps will repay a thousandfold. Do make use of the links below to get an idea what these apps do and how you can learn to work with them. You need not learn everything from the start. A step at a time will work wonders as well.


digiKamPhoto ManagementIf organizing your photos from the app itself, similar to Mac OS X's iPhoto, is important to you then digiKam, a dedicated photo editing app, can manage this for you.

However, even if relying on digiKam or similar apps to manage photos, it is a good idea to have an idea where these photos are stored on the computer. Therefore, File Manager or a similar app is located in the dock of the photography login. You can use this app to navigate through the computer's directories (folders) and get an idea of how files are stored on the computer and where to find them. This way you are not locked into or dependant on any one app. You will have the flexibility to use different apps to work on the same photos or share them.


GIMPCreativityFor using a photo as part of artistic creation or design such as making a montage, utilizing layer effects, gradients, special lighting effects or text styles, GIMP has years of development and practical use behind it and numerous plugins to enhance this functionality. GIMP has plenty of tools to use for simple photo editing and enhancement but its real power shows in artistic creation using photo(s) as a base. As an example, the background for this page is a fractal play created in GIMP and based on a photo of clouds over the mountains of West Maui.


Related Apps

BlenderBlenderBlender is an opensource 3D creation app usually used to create 3D images, animations and even video games. Blender's interface is at first sight intimidating and its learning curve formidable. While not a photo editing app per se, if 3D happens to be up your alley, Blender offers creative possibilities.


InkscapeInkscape Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X. It can handle photographs in various formats. While not a photo editing tool per se, Inkscape can come in handy creating illustrations based on photos.


MirageMirage is a fast and simple image viewer. Both Mirage and Xee on the Mac allow for slide shows. However, digiKam, a more professional app, offers this same functionality with more options.


Links for Further Learning

GIMP links
digiKam