Though I've had Girlie Blog Seattle for over five years, I still consider myself a beginner. There's just so much to learn about the business and craft of blogging. Compared to accomplished bloggers like SEOMoz and Problogger, who have both experience and resources, I'm like dust on their shoulders :O(
However, even at beginner level, I have found useful software -- most of them free -- to improve my blog. Here are a few that I recommend for beginning bloggers:
My computer came with Photoshop Element 9, and it has proven extremely helpful when I try to fix lighting, shadows, contrast and such in my pictures.
I own a cheap camera (in process of upgrading, yay) that doesn't take the best pictures, and live in Seattle, where sunlight is hard to come by. So my pictures come out dark and blurry at times. Photoshop has helped improve picture quality.
Also, I have created simple header images with Photoshop. I like that Photoshop has layers and offers artistic effects.
I use paint mostly to add words within a picture to explain details. (You can do this in Photoshop too, but I prefer Paint.)
I use Jing to capture screen images and record screen actions (for YouTube).
I use Windows Movie Maker to make youtube videos to promote my blogs. I know Apple has its own version of movie maker (forgot the name), but I've used it and it's similar to the Microsoft version.
Of course, you can explore other multimedia software. CyberLink is a good place to look. It offers video and audio technologies that can burn dvd, edit videos, and satisfy various multimedia needs.
I only use the "exposure" feature from Windows Live Photo Library to help correct lighting in my photos. It's been really useful.
However, even at beginner level, I have found useful software -- most of them free -- to improve my blog. Here are a few that I recommend for beginning bloggers:
1. Photoshop Element
My computer came with Photoshop Element 9, and it has proven extremely helpful when I try to fix lighting, shadows, contrast and such in my pictures.
I own a cheap camera (in process of upgrading, yay) that doesn't take the best pictures, and live in Seattle, where sunlight is hard to come by. So my pictures come out dark and blurry at times. Photoshop has helped improve picture quality.
Also, I have created simple header images with Photoshop. I like that Photoshop has layers and offers artistic effects.
 |
| This header was a simple design from Photoshop. |
2. Paint
I use paint mostly to add words within a picture to explain details. (You can do this in Photoshop too, but I prefer Paint.)
 |
| Paint does a good job explaining things. |
3. Jing
I use Jing to capture screen images and record screen actions (for YouTube).
4. Microsoft Movie Maker
I use Windows Movie Maker to make youtube videos to promote my blogs. I know Apple has its own version of movie maker (forgot the name), but I've used it and it's similar to the Microsoft version.
Of course, you can explore other multimedia software. CyberLink is a good place to look. It offers video and audio technologies that can burn dvd, edit videos, and satisfy various multimedia needs.
5. Windows Live Photo Library
I only use the "exposure" feature from Windows Live Photo Library to help correct lighting in my photos. It's been really useful.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for stopping by. Comments, links and constructive criticism welcome. Negative, attacking, snark-y commenter - you can still comment, but at least have the courage to show yourself.