With all of the new free web tools available to bloggers, artists, business owners etc. coming out at such a quick pace it’s become increasingly difficult to sift through the digital smorgasbord and locate the goodins. A site that I use frequently to add text, edits and effects to photos is Pixlr.
Pixlr is by far the easiest photo editing tool that I’ve ever used. They have a huge selection of fonts, photo effects and collage templates. You can upload a photo from any drive, webcam, URL, or create a design from scratch. There’s also a Pixlr app for iPhone & Android. I recommend Pixlr to literally everyone I know with the exception of my Grandfather.
Pixlr offers 3 different editors ranging from advanced editing to, “I’m stuck in traffic and deathly bored”, editing. I’m kidding. Don’t edit pictures and drive at the same time.
“Pixlr-o-matic” is the easiest of the 3 to use and allows you to edit uploaded photos or customize/butcher one from the Pixlr Library by adding effects, overlays and borders.
“Pixlr express” is the intermediate editor. It gives you the additional options of uploading a photo via URL and uploading multiple photos to create a collage. With Pixlr express you can also add text and stickers to your photos. There are more precise editing features as well.
“Pixlr editor” allows you to create an image or design completely from scratch as well as edit a pre existing image using a variety of gadgets and customizations. It provides you with precision editing tools such as pencil, brush, spot heal, burn, gradient, dodge and many more. It’s perfect for touch ups and creating Photoshop quality modifications to any image. Pixlr editor is technically for “advanced” users but I happen to find it easy to use and even easier to learn.
Our good friends and Nashville based group The Apache Relay are utilizing Pixlr and all its glory in their Photo Blog. It lets them share their experiences with their fans and allows people to track the progress of their career from the perspective of the band. This is one of many ways that an artist can utilize Pixlr to both connect with their fan base and continue to build their digital brand.
The best part about Pixlr? NO DOWNLOADS NECESSARY! If you’re fresh out of space on your smartphone or tablet (because you begrudgingly refuse to upgrade out of spite) or if you have enough distractions on your computer as it is, Pixlr allows you to access all of it’s vast capabilities right on the web. Simply save your finished product where you’d like and you’re done.
Pixlr is such an incredible tool and is dangerously addictive. Use it, master it, love it and enjoy as your recurring migraine issues get a little more manageable now that quick and easy photo edits are part of your digital arsenal.
-Bobby Dirienzo, Project Manager, 12South Music