Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: www.pixlr.com

For most college students, funds are limited and cool and pricy things like Adobe Photoshop are not an option. For those still using Microsoft Paint and iPhoto for editing pictures, Pixlr.com is the "new kid on the block." Pixlr.com, a browser-based photo-editing tool, combines image design and paint tools with photo editing and adjustment features. Interestingly, Pixlr.com was developed by a single man named Ola Sevandersson in less than one year, and is absolutely free.

On this site, you can manipulate your pictures with the adjustment and filter options and editing options like brightness/contrast and hue/saturation that are very similar to other editing tools sold.

If you are in a rush, click on Pixlr Express, where there are fewer options that take you straight to the obvious editing processes, such as making a picture less blurry and other quick fixes. There are also 13 different language options, if you prefer anything from Spanish to Romanian.

If you are only vaguely familiar with photo editing, have no fear, it is incredibly user friendly. The site also maintains a blog with great tips and tutorials and it offers a detailed and organized FAQ section.

The only downside is that Pixlr is not very reliable when importing and exporting photos to and from sites like Facebook and Twitter. In addition, after editing a shot, the only way to get it off the site is to download it back to your hard drive as a JPEG or PNG file.

Other than those minor issues, which could very well be improved by next year, Pixlr is a useful site for any student interested in editing their photos without having to pay an exorbitant amount for the privilege.

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