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Before the Auction: Using Graphics Software

by Kevin Savetz

In order to add pictures to your auctions, you'll need some kind of image manipulation software. But too often, working with graphics is an exercise in extremes. On one end of the spectrum is the software that came with your digital camera, scanner, or Webcam--software that might be buggy or lack even basic image manipulation functions. On the other side are high-end graphics applications such as Photoshop--perhaps too complicated and too expensive for those of us who just want to put decent pictures of our auction items online.

There is, however, a middle ground. Here's a roundup of several inexpensive but usable image manipulation programs.

For Windows
Paint Shop Pro is a full-featured classic. It has been around since the dawn of time (almost) but has kept pace. You can use it to import images directly from your digital camera or scanner, optimize them, and upload them to an image hosting service. The program is $99, and a free 30-day trial version is available.

Also, take a look at LView Pro, another tried-and-true graphics application. LView began life as a utility for viewing images, but has grown into a full-featured image editor. Its Web Gallery feature automatically will create a gallery of images that you can upload to entice bidders. The software costs $29.99, which includes a CD-ROM. The downloadable evaluation version allows you to test the software for 21 days.

You don't have to be a heavy metal music fan to appreciate ACDSee, a $49.99 shareware program. The best part of this app for auction sellers is the Photo Enhancer, which serves up image manipulation tools and filters for quickly improving the look of digital photos and scans. The program can import pictures directly from Kodak, HP, and Olympus digital cameras.

Then again, why pay for a cow when you can get the milk for free? IrfanView is a free graphics editor whose features (and price) have won much acclaim. Its robust image editing capabilities won't clog your hard drive with DLLs and random files, either--it's just one executable file. Did we mention that it's free? (For "noncommercial" use, anyway.)

If you use Windows 3.1, don't despair--there are graphics editors for you, too. There are 16-bit versions of Paint Shop Pro and LView.

Next Page | What about Mac users?