Which is the best free photo editing software
/Family photos are an important part of preserving family history. They can be preserved, shared and passed down from generation to generation so that everyone can learn their family history and pass on the legacy of those who came before them. However, not all old family photographs are able to stand the test of time. Family photos can become damaged through creasing, damage due to being stored in photo albums made with certain types of glue, paper or plastic; and a number of other issues that cause family photos to look less than their best.
Thankfully, with the digital age, it is easier than ever to fix family photos using photo editing software.
The following are the best free photo editing software programs to check out if you want to preserve your family history by restoring family photos to their former glory.
Retouch Pilot Lite
Retouch Pilot Lite is ideal for retouching old family photographs. This program is free to use and has simple retouching features that can handle the most common issues suffered by old photographs, including resolving problems like missing pieces of photographs, presence of creases or scratches, moisture spots and more. The program is simple to use, so even people without photo editing softwareexperiencecan use it to retouch family photos without any trouble.
GIMP
GIMP is a free program that is often called ‘free Photoshop.’ GIMP has plenty of features that allow you to retouch even the most damaged of old family photographs. GIMP has more advanced features and a more complicated set-up than most free programs, so you will likely need to check out some tutorials when it comes to retouching photos with a number of problems. With GIMP you will be able to tackle the most common restorative issues faced by old photos—such as creases, missing pieces, etc.—as well as work with more advanced editing tools. You can play around with brightness and contrast or even resolve color problems, such as reducing yellowing that can occur in photos stored with certain types of glues and plastics.
Pixlr Editor
Pixlr Editor is a web browser based editor that allows you to restore and edit old family photographs. It is not as advanced as GIMP but it provides many more editing options than Retouch Pilot Lite, such as the ability to work with layers. With Pixlr Editor, you can smooth out creases, fill in missing pieces, and even play around with brightness, contrast and color. It is not as powerful as GIMP due to operating out of a web browser, but it is simpler to use and may be the better option if you aren’t ready to tackle a program like GIMP yet.Family photos are a way to preserve your family history for generations to come.
If you want to make sure that they look their best and can be enjoyed by family for years, take a look at the above free photo editing software that can help you restore family photos to their former glory
To learn how to back up your old photos click here.
To learn how to convert old family slides click here.
To learn how to label your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.