What do you know about Picasa?

[Former_Member]

I know nothing. Well... until today. It has come up for me twice today. I know it is a picture google thing. That is it. What do you know? Do you use it as a tool to help you promote your shop or anything?

[Former_Member]

It's linked to your google accounts...I think. You basically upload pictures into folders and then you can edit your pictures in picnik. I've been using it lately and my items really stand out now.

[Former_Member]

Cool. I stumbled across it when I updated my blog. Was a little taken back to see my photos in it already.

[Former_Member]

You can download the program and use it to edit pictures. I use Picasa and love the simplicity.

[PearlesPainting]

I use it for all my photos...it came with my comp. Picasa3
I think it is super easy to use.

[VintageRenude]

Picasa is a Google product. It can be used either on your computer only or online as well. You can set your online account up so that you can share photos with others. It can be set up so everyone can see your photos or just those you designate. You can also give others access to add or share photos from your site if you want. Great for sharing the kids pics with grandma! You can also manipulate your photos in Picasa and then post them. Best of all it's free!

[TKCountryTreasures]

I also use Picasa. It is very easy to use and it was free when I downloaded it. I would recommend it.

[Former_Member]

Very good. Thank you for explaining.

[Former_Member]

Yes, every picture that goes on your blog (if you use blogger) will end up in picasa. I'm not sure why that is...I had to buy more storage space (it was only $5) because I have two blogs with tons of pics on them. If you delete pics from picasa, they will be deleted from your blog, too. so be careful :)

[Former_Member]

Nice also to post additional pictures of your item when the 5 slots are not enough on your Etsy page. Add a link in your description that points to those additional pictures.

Any one seriously interested in your item will take the time to copy/paste the link in their browser

[JeannieRichard]

great idea Handustry!
why didn't we think of that *slap on the forehead*!
But will put it on our own server, not on google.

[Former_Member]

It's not my idea I must say. I've seen this on some other thread quite some time ago.

Also a nice thing about having a picture bank available for everyone to see is that you can show items that you have not listed on Etsy, let's say a custom order made for a friend or yourself. I like to post pictures of things that I am currently working on: it reinforces the sense of communication between buyer and seller. Any buyer interested in handmade is also interested in how it is made and how one comes up with an idea.

[Former_Member]

I loaded a bunch of pics for google when I signed up for the service. They can be seen when people google my shop.

Picasa is amazing! I can straighten out photos, and lighten them until the pic matches the product in my hand! Mostly I crop with it. I use piknik for my profile photos! and I love how it looks there! I can blue out me (sadly, my model) and focus on the jewelry

[Former_Member]

oh yea, and I use my facebook fan page for a bit of a photo bank

[JeannieRichard]

Noted Handustry :)

I edit with Photoshop as its very much part of my work, so I am blessed in that area. Just that I need to fit in time to really get our website up and make it work like a blog. 24 hours is not enough especially when now our clients are preparing for year end exhibitions and even new collateral for 2012.
Was suppose to have our website launched in June but obviously it is not -_-

[Former_Member]

does anyone know if in Picasa will let you make the entire background of the photo white? If not is there another photo editing software that will let you make the backgrounds white. I did not want to have to retake a lot of my pics if I did not have to.

[Former_Member]

I love Picasa!

I use it for editing all of my Etsy photos. I just love it. It is easy to use, but still gives a fair range of editing options.

[Former_Member]

I've use Picasa for several years - it's easy, does a good job and best of all it's free.

[Former_Member]

mrsgreenjeans I don't know if Picasa offers such tool. But you could download Gimp, a free Photoshop-like program and use the mask tool to draw the shape on a picture that I want to keep then paint the rest white. I am not a graphic designer and find this is quite painstaking of a process.

Maybe someone knows a better trick?

[Former_Member]

How do I get my items on my newsfeed on Facebook? Thanks. Mary

[Former_Member]

to get the white background with picasa... create collage, except with just one pic... then can change background colour & crop.

i find picasa fun & can manage it...haven't got photoshop & tried gimp... would love to but can't get my head round layers & masks. One day will have to sit down & seriously try to work it out!

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

I use Picasa everyday. When you upload photos to your computer, they are linked to Picasa. Then you can photo-shop them, upload the newly shopped and cropped photos, and have great photos to put on etsy!

[Former_Member]

You all are so brilliant. Thank you for the help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.