Kate's Favorite Things #6 ....

So if you are just dropping by be sure to check out the rest of my list thus far:
#10, #9, #8, #7


So this next one continues to prove itself invaluable to me...which is made even better by the fact that is was free to begin with!

My Number 6 is...

The Gnu Image Manipulation Program

Affectionatley known as 'The Gimp'

GIMP does have some short commings and so I will get them out in the open and be done with it. Initially GIMP can be a little intimidating as it is not, shall we say, user friendly. Although this is easily overcome with spending some time google-ing the huge variety of tutorials that are available for GIMP. Now to fill you in on all the fun stuff you can accomplish.
LAYERS!!! This is an amazing and powerful tool to use when photo editing. Picture a pile of transparencys that when stacked form a complete photo. The great part is that you can edit individual elements of a photo without alterering the rest of it!
COLOUR MANAGMENT Just like any basic photo editing softwear GIMP also has colour managent tools. Except that it`s colour management tools are so much more powerful that you will never look back. I remember trying to edit full images with just brightness, contrast and RBG sliders. UGH! GIMP allows for so much more creativity by providing a whole team of Colour tools - Levels, Curves, Thresholds, Colourizing tools and more.
GRAPHIC DESIGN Now if the photo thing – isn`t your thing GIMP may still be for you. It can be used for graphic design and even animation if you are of an ambitious sort. I don`t want to belabour this point too much but it really is a phenomenal program that is super powerful and once again FREE!! GIMP.org and download it for free.