After posting my first picture in the photo gallery on this site, (my son’s high school graduation from Military Academy will be coming in the next couple of weeks) I wanted to share Picasso with you if you aren’t’ aware of it.

1. I recommend Google's free photo site called Picasso. Here's the link http://picasa.google.com/
2. What I found extremely beneficial was the ability to create an album and save it on Google’s server and it’s all free.
3. I had slides from my parents wedding and scanned them into my computer. They were huge and had so many pixels.
4. I didn’t want to reduce each one so I created the album with the 50 or so (now digital) photos and saved it on Google’s free server.
5. Next, I sent the link to my folks and their friends. They loved it and thought I was a technology genius. (But then again, they argued with me that if they didn’t pay AOL they couldn’t use their AOL email service and they didn’t want to transfer their contact.)
6. Then I started thinking about folks that had lost their homes in fires or floods and many times, photos were what they missed most.
7. Well, if it’s on Google’s server, it’s not lost and you can access it anywhere in the world (maybe not China) if you have a computer and internet access.

There’s a business idea here but I don’t have time to pursue it. Maybe I’ll give a free presentation at a Senior Living complex and have my company in my bi-line. I already have the $150 dollar scanner… but before that the $30 dollar all in one printer, copier, and scanner did the trick too as long as it’s not slides. Yes, I could project my computer on a big screen and start albums for the audience. Somebody should take this and run with it.

Also, I have Adobe Photo Shop and I am constantly exceeding my level of competence. I much prefer Google’s free Picasso because it is so easy to remove red eyes, brighten up the picture, etc. For me, it’s great when the computer knows who has red eyes in the photo and fixes it.

Google never ceases to amaze me. They do it all, don't they?

Folks were cool with me sharing this link with you.

http://picasaweb.google.com/georgehpounds/WeddingSlides?authkey=BdOSnLEEFqU&feat=directlink#

These were old slides and now they can be shared with anyone anywhere. There not on my computer taking up space and the worry of computer crash etc. There's somewhere in Google Land.

Actually I think I just gave you access to my entire libray in Google Land. I know there's a way to lock you out but I'm too busy to learn that trick right now.

Whew! I checked from another computer and I only gave you access to my folks wedding.


We also use this to market real estate, share family photos, etc. and I really didn't intend to share everything even though I don't think it would interest you.

I'm signing out and going to generate some income.

Who are George and Barbara? Browsed the wedding photos. Old photos are the best?

Hi Dotsie, Yes, My folks. Isn't it a a hoot to see the fashions. I thought it was cool that old slides could be down loaded as digital server and saved on a server.

What about the other capabilities of Photoshop? I'm working on an idea for the cover of my next book and I want to manipulate some photos. Some will be old. Some not. I'm looking for software that I can blur the edges and make photos sepia and/or black and white if I want.

underwear, very cool. One day there will be no more hand-held photo albums either.

Hi Lousia, I think you may need to stay with Photoshop for those items. Picasso is free so you might want to download and play with it. They make cool collages. sincerely, Lea

Louisa, you can do all those things, you mentioned, on photobucket.

I know I can blur the edges. Can I do sepia too? I tried some on Photobucket but don't remember why I had a problem. Maybe I was just trying to find something with even more stuff.

Yes,you can do Sepia, black and white...and lots more. I have several different creative photo programs; Adobe, Microsoft Photo Editor, Majix, Paint Shop Pro, MGI Photosuite...and probably some more hidden on my computer. I found some workshops are better in some things than others. I was really amazed what a fantastic program photobucket is.
I took this picture in Vancouver.
Click on picture to see slide show!

This is cool, EW. I love it.

What did you do? Did you copy the picture several times, change the coloring and than make them into a slide show? I've been playing with Photobucket. I also wanted to ask you some questions about your camera. I'm thinking of buying a new one. I want point and shoot, of course, but I would like at least 110-12 pixels and at least a 10X optical zoom. I saw a Canon with a 20X zoom that just came out that looks very nice, but it only has 9.1 pixels and it weighs over a pound. Don't know that I want one that heavy. Any suggestions? I just want a still camera.

Louisa, I used my original picture each time and changed it. Then I saved the changed photo in Photobucket, selected the pictures for a slide show, and finished it. I had to fumble around awhile to catch the gist of it, but it is a simple program with a big effect.

I have a Canon, and the most elaborate kind, since I have to take photos professionally. At least I could write it off. My sons both have handy light cameras, and I’m amazed at the great quality of pictures they make. If you want to show your photos on TV, then you need a higher pixel. I don’t really know what is on the US market, but I found the sales people really helpful in guiding me to the right camera. You can’t go wrong with Canon, that’s for sure. But I think all digital cameras have great quality.

Don’t you just love this hobby? I love doing slide shows for the homes I sell, as well.

I would love to do all this but work online so much that I don't feel like sitting at my computer more than I already do. One of these days, I hope to master all the you have EW.

I've been playing with Photobucket, EW. It is so cool. I never realized it had so much editing power on that site.

Took a peek at the tour, great colors. I also left a comment.

Isn't it fun Louisa? No need to buy expensive software, or if you do; then you allready have had some good tutoring at photobucket.

I couldn't find you comment, chatty. Doesn't matter.

So what do you have? I know it's a Canon. Is it a SLR? I was looking at some Canon's that looked pretty good, but they used AA batteries. I don't want a camera that runs with AA's. I want rechargeable. My little coolpix is great that way. Never need to buy batteries. I have 2 and just keep using them. I like this Sony HX1 with a 20X zoom and a sweep panorama and Glens. Or maybe the DSCH50. I've been wanting to see this Pentax X70. It looks pretty good to me, but I can't find a store where I can go look at it and try it. I don't want to buy online. This is almost as challenging as buying a car.

Louisa I have a Canon EOS, 400D digital. It’s a large camera because I have large lenses.

EFS18-55mm zoom lens ( I would recommend this one for you.) Has a great zoom for near and far.
EF 75-300mm for close ups. (Great for flowers or portraits), but really not necessary
28-80mm (not that much zoom)
EFS 10-22mm (my favourite). I use this inside and for panorama photography.

I also have an additional light source, which I really needed for my interior photos. You can lighten up your photos in a photo work shop, but you lose pixel when you do that, which affects the quality. I have a Speedlite 430XII. (costs about $300.-) You just place it on top of your camera.

But…my sons don’t have any of this equipment, and their photos are excellent. So don’t go by me.

I know what you mean about as challenging as buying a car. I thought that too. And yes, I def. would recommend going to a local dealer because of maintenance or other questions you may have.

Can't wait to see your new photographs!

I'll put them on Facebook. I still can't get them on here.