Picasa – Google Image Management Freeware

SUMMARY: Not Photoshop, but an excellent image management program with simple editing functions.

Google has an excellent freeware program available to manage and do simple edits on your digital photos. This is not as robust as Photoshop, but for finding, organizing and doing simple edits, Picasa is tough to beat. It’s only about a 5 MB download, so it’s not a space hog.

After install and running the Picasa, you can scan your PC for all images:

If finds and lists all your images:

Use the Import function to select images among those found:

You can document each image and file it:

Clicking on an image loads it into the editing functions:

A simple crop – use the mouse to highlight the crop and it’s done:

In addition to the Basic Fixes, there is a “Tuning” menu…

And an “Effects” menu:

You can zoom in for a close look:

And you can get a Histogram to view details about the image:

Finally, a view of Picasa’s Menus – File:

Edit Functions:

View Menu:

Folder Functions:

Picture Menu:

Create Menu:

Tools:

And finally – Help:

The Bottom of the page menu gives an idea of the various functions upported:

For freeware, Google’s Picasa is an excellent way to manage images on your PC and do simple picture edits – the red-eye fix alone is worth the download. Bravo Google!

Email Joe