Semantics can say a lot about technology. You can tell a tech term has reached elite status when people begin to appropriate it as a verb. Need to answer a question? Google it. Did you just take an cliché picture of your breakfast? Instagram it. What’s the name of this song again? Shazam it.
Everyone assumes that an airbrushed picture has probably been “Photoshopped.” While Adobe’s iconic photo editing software is the professional industry standard, Snapheal is a user-friendly image editing program — at a fraction of the price.
Snapheal is available exclusively for Mac. It performs many of the same tasks as Photoshop, most notably, an eraser feature that airbrushes unwanted objects out of an image. The app also includes many standard editing features, such as color, light and clarity adjustment.
Here’s an overview of what it can do, and where it comes up short.
The Good
Cost Efficient and Compact: At $20, Snapheal is a bargin, compared to other editing programs. Photoshop Elements will set you back $80; the full version of Photoshop costs about $700.
Snapheal is also tidy. The program won’t slow your entire computer when open.
Airbrushing: Snapheal’s best editing features are the “Erase” and the “Clone & Stamp” tools. With these, you can seamlessly erase unwanted objects out of your images. The Metro Transit Authority recently posted this eerie picture showing a nearly empty Grand Central Terminal, when Hurricane Sandy shut down the trains.
To a New Yorker, seeing Grand Central Station nearly abandoned is shocking. In the image above, however, there are still two people in the station. With Snapheal, you can remove the people in the photo in about 30 seconds.
Note: This image comparison is only a demonstration. Mashable does not condone altering images to sensationalize news stories.
Usable Interface: Anyone who has attempted to use Photoshop without guidance knows it can be intimidating. Its interface, dotted with columns of foreign icons, is uninviting to novices. There’s no denying that Photoshop is a great program, but it can be difficult to unlock its many wonders.
Snapheal doesn’t feature as many tools, but its interface is very easy to navigate. There are five basic editing tabs: Erase, Clone & Stamp, Retouch, Adjust and Transform. The UI is clean, simple and intuitive.
Mostly every aspect of Snapheal works how you would expect, which makes it sort of addicting to use. For instance, I began tinkering around with my Facebook profile picture. I wanted to remove the cellphone from my knee and the plastic cup from the bottom-right corner. Perhaps because it was Halloween, things got a bit out of hand in a very macabre way. This is what I came up with:
The Bad
While it is definitely usable and fun to work with, Snapheal comes up short in several areas.
One at a Time: The most disappointing aspect of Snapheal is that you can only work with one image at a time. It is impossible to make photo composites or collages because there is no option create layers or even to cut and paste a part of one image onto another.
If you try to paste one image on top of another, Snapheal will immediately ask if you want to save the photo you had open. Then it will open the image you were pasting. Even the basic “Preview” editor that comes standard on Macs allows for pasting images together.
Far Fewer Features: We gave Snapheal credit for being usable and tidy, but the tradeoff is that it can’t compare to programs like Photoshop when it comes to editing. In addition to layers and cut and paste, Snapheal does not include text or shape tools; it doesn’t have a magic wand; it doesn’t have paintbrush or paint bucket tools. This list goes on.
50 Shades of Gray and Other Useless Features: Snapheal has a few features that will make you scratch your head. For instance, you’ll find several background color options for the space surrounding your image. These options include light, medium or dark gray, or just plain old “gray.” This range will satisfy fans of Fifty Shades of Grey. (Black and white didn’t make the list.)
Another mostly useless feature is an option to share pictures directly to social media platforms, naturally with some sort of Snapheal identification tag. Personally, I rarely use installed share buttons on websites or in programs; I prefer to share on my own terms.
The Verdict
If you already own and are comfortable using Photoshop, you have no use for Snapheal, which is in no way a replacement for professional editing software.
For amateur digital photographers and others looking to test the waters of photo editing, however, Snapheal is an inexpensive, usable and fun program for image tinkering. It offers smart and elegant erasing and cloning tools usually designated for more expensive programs.
BONUS: 25 Amazing Android Photos From Around the World
![10 Ways to Smell Like a Geek [PICS]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v0CZDf8TZ8LcBXsanvA5u3yG1cylTfBSzHWn8-JHOYX2m-10g24h-83h1AT2aevaSa6RducdbKLd71sJ9KgGq47V_pkrgx2L22HQ=s0-d)
![10 Big Cats Being Total Jerks [VIDEOS]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u-dmx7RL6Yd_ea4KPJnbVuCJokvGxYtMluO4EmLLoi486tQGi91rds7Se2Mlyq6E1ACIduckLlZzSdrH9sA1ZT4lnjYw=s0-d)
![Artist Gets to the Point With Amazing Fingertips Portraits [PICS]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vIMNf8QJsnW5mSOrtoUvXlBhdSOuXRiO2IaHyeBqMeJa5KQt8gAo3QUHlWE1-UQZIZdslnwP_3HBl4B4OUjPf7g9QN8VlldD4xM7xH=s0-d)
Taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this photo is titled "Atardecer en la ruta," which translates to "Sunset on the Road." It was shot with a Motorola Backflip (MB300) using the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, fotos.rotas'
The neon lights of a psychedelic bullseye turn the man standing in front of it into a silhouette. The photo was taken in London using a Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, MarcelaArruda
This photo shows the Götheborg, a replica of an 18th century wooden vessel of the same name. The photo was taken using a Samsung Galaxy Ace in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the original ship sank in 1745.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Dirigentens
"Antonio,Metal,Hassel" was shot outside the Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand. The photographer used the basic photo app on a Samsung Galaxy S and then processed the picture with Pixlr-o-matic.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Robert Brienza
Having forgot his digital camera, this Androidographer took out his Samsung GALAXY S II to snap a shot of the sun setting over a distant mountain, partially obscured by a grain of wheat. The photo is from Kota Belud, Malaysia.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Pison Jaujip
Using a Nexus S and Pixlr-0-matic, this photographer turned the sun setting behind a few palm trees into an ethereal landscape. The palm trees in question can be found, appropriately, in Palm Springs, Calif.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Sinéad McKeown
This Android photographer used a Motorola Cliq to capture a climactic moment between matador and bull at a stadium in Logroño, Spain.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Gabriel McIntosh
Using an HTC EVO 3D and the Vignette app, this photographer captured a golden sunset over a placid river in Germantown, Md.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Nakeva
Risking life and limb (perhaps), this photographer gets a closeup of these two titans, locked in heated battle. The photo was shot in Sabah, Malaysia using a Samsung Galaxy S II and a macro lens attachment.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Pison Jaujip
No compilation of smartphone photos would be complete without a kitten. In this photo "Hyoga el Curioso" looms over a bathroom sink with the faucet running in Bilbao, Spain. The photo was shot with a Samsung Galaxy Ace.
Image courtesy of Flickr, ibarakaldo
This photo, titled "morning in the lecture hall," captures the serene moment before the seats are filled and class begins. If you find yourself in search of a picturesque place to be lectured one morning, this photo was taken in Prague, Czech Republic with a Samsung Galaxy S II, and edited with Camera Zoom FX.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Charlotte90T
In Umbria, Italy, rich landscape unfolds under well formed clouds, and behind two wilting flowers, petals collapsing under the weight of water droplets. This scene was captured by a talented Androidographer using an HTC Desire HD A9191.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Lorenzo Lotito
As people walk along a stream in Munich, this photographer uses a Samsung Galaxy S II to capture a German sunset fighting through grey clouds.
Image courtesy of Flickr, deep_schismic
A great Androidographer, such as this one, can make a terrifying bee look like a cuddly Pokemon. This shot was captured using a LG Electronics p999bn.
Image courtesy of Flickr, EYADSTUDIO
As storm clouds roll in over the river Thames, the water begins to churn in Richmond, England. The photographer used a Sony Ericsson LT26i for this shot.
Image courtesy of Flickr, maistora
Using a Droid Razr, this photographer shoots a solitary guitar player on stage as sunlight pours through the window, flooding the room. The photo comes from Orcas Island in Eastsound, Wash.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Jon Assink
This photographer used a Nexus S and the Camera360 app to capture a captivating perspective of a tall ferris wheel in Husum, Germany.
Image courtesy of Flickr, b3d_
Appropriately titled "lost.," this photo was taken using a Samsung Galaxy S II at the Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, England. The shot was edited using the Camera 360 app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, hits98
A yellow train darts by this commuter in Liverpool, England. This photo was taken with a Samsung Galaxy S II.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Roj
A cute Corgi puppy tries to escape the heat by hiding out underneath a car in Mountain View, Calif. The Android photographer used a HTC Aria for the shot.
Image courtesy of Flickr, lanabelle
It is almost a law that a smartphone photographer is obligated to get a tantalizing shot of his or her food before a meal. This http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/#foodporn was captured using a Motorola Droid X in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ymmij
While sailing down the Danube River, this Androidographer grabbed a great looking shot of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest using a HTC Desire HD. The image was post-processed with the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Chic*ka
We can all thank this Androidographer for an inside look at how Krispy Kreme doughnuts become delicious. The photo was snapped with a SEMC X10a in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ian Muttoo
Photographer Linda Stokes actually carries two Android phones to use for photography, in case one's battery dies. She used a Samsung Galaxy III to capture this breathtaking sunset.
Image courtesy of Linda Stokes
Using the HTC Desire, this Android photographer captured a frisbee in mid-flight during an afternoon game in Denbigh, North Wales, UK.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ian Muttoo
Images courtesy of Flickr, splorp, MTAPhotos
Taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this photo is titled "Atardecer en la ruta," which translates to "Sunset on the Road." It was shot with a Motorola Backflip (MB300) using the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, fotos.rotas'
The neon lights of a psychedelic bullseye turn the man standing in front of it into a silhouette. The photo was taken in London using a Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, MarcelaArruda
This photo shows the Götheborg, a replica of an 18th century wooden vessel of the same name. The photo was taken using a Samsung Galaxy Ace in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the original ship sank in 1745.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Dirigentens
"Antonio,Metal,Hassel" was shot outside the Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand. The photographer used the basic photo app on a Samsung Galaxy S and then processed the picture with Pixlr-o-matic.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Robert Brienza
Having forgot his digital camera, this Androidographer took out his Samsung GALAXY S II to snap a shot of the sun setting over a distant mountain, partially obscured by a grain of wheat. The photo is from Kota Belud, Malaysia.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Pison Jaujip
Using a Nexus S and Pixlr-0-matic, this photographer turned the sun setting behind a few palm trees into an ethereal landscape. The palm trees in question can be found, appropriately, in Palm Springs, Calif.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Sinéad McKeown
This Android photographer used a Motorola Cliq to capture a climactic moment between matador and bull at a stadium in Logroño, Spain.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Gabriel McIntosh
Using an HTC EVO 3D and the Vignette app, this photographer captured a golden sunset over a placid river in Germantown, Md.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Nakeva
Risking life and limb (perhaps), this photographer gets a closeup of these two titans, locked in heated battle. The photo was shot in Sabah, Malaysia using a Samsung Galaxy S II and a macro lens attachment.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Pison Jaujip
No compilation of smartphone photos would be complete without a kitten. In this photo "Hyoga el Curioso" looms over a bathroom sink with the faucet running in Bilbao, Spain. The photo was shot with a Samsung Galaxy Ace.
Image courtesy of Flickr, ibarakaldo
This photo, titled "morning in the lecture hall," captures the serene moment before the seats are filled and class begins. If you find yourself in search of a picturesque place to be lectured one morning, this photo was taken in Prague, Czech Republic with a Samsung Galaxy S II, and edited with Camera Zoom FX.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Charlotte90T
In Umbria, Italy, rich landscape unfolds under well formed clouds, and behind two wilting flowers, petals collapsing under the weight of water droplets. This scene was captured by a talented Androidographer using an HTC Desire HD A9191.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Lorenzo Lotito
As people walk along a stream in Munich, this photographer uses a Samsung Galaxy S II to capture a German sunset fighting through grey clouds.
Image courtesy of Flickr, deep_schismic
A great Androidographer, such as this one, can make a terrifying bee look like a cuddly Pokemon. This shot was captured using a LG Electronics p999bn.
Image courtesy of Flickr, EYADSTUDIO
As storm clouds roll in over the river Thames, the water begins to churn in Richmond, England. The photographer used a Sony Ericsson LT26i for this shot.
Image courtesy of Flickr, maistora
Using a Droid Razr, this photographer shoots a solitary guitar player on stage as sunlight pours through the window, flooding the room. The photo comes from Orcas Island in Eastsound, Wash.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Jon Assink
This photographer used a Nexus S and the Camera360 app to capture a captivating perspective of a tall ferris wheel in Husum, Germany.
Image courtesy of Flickr, b3d_
Appropriately titled "lost.," this photo was taken using a Samsung Galaxy S II at the Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, England. The shot was edited using the Camera 360 app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, hits98
A yellow train darts by this commuter in Liverpool, England. This photo was taken with a Samsung Galaxy S II.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Roj
A cute Corgi puppy tries to escape the heat by hiding out underneath a car in Mountain View, Calif. The Android photographer used a HTC Aria for the shot.
Image courtesy of Flickr, lanabelle
It is almost a law that a smartphone photographer is obligated to get a tantalizing shot of his or her food before a meal. This http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/http://feeds.mashable.com/#foodporn was captured using a Motorola Droid X in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ymmij
While sailing down the Danube River, this Androidographer grabbed a great looking shot of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest using a HTC Desire HD. The image was post-processed with the Vignette app.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Chic*ka
We can all thank this Androidographer for an inside look at how Krispy Kreme doughnuts become delicious. The photo was snapped with a SEMC X10a in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ian Muttoo
Photographer Linda Stokes actually carries two Android phones to use for photography, in case one's battery dies. She used a Samsung Galaxy III to capture this breathtaking sunset.
Image courtesy of Linda Stokes
Using the HTC Desire, this Android photographer captured a frisbee in mid-flight during an afternoon game in Denbigh, North Wales, UK.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Ian Muttoo
Source : feeds[dot]mashable[dot]com
0 comments:
Post a Comment