GraphicsActivity

**Graphics Activity | See the Results**
For this Graphics Activity, we will work with //online image editors//, an alternative to the robust, stand-alone, desktop image editor applications that you have used previously (such as Photoshop, Fireworks, and GIMP). Online image editors that let you edit photos in the Web browser have come a long way in the last few years. They often offer editing tools that go beyond simple rotation, resizing and cropping and start to creep into more sophisticated territory. We will do a **feature comparison** of a couple of these online image editors by 1) studying the online sites and by 2) using the tools to edit a photo.

1. Select two //online image editors// to use for this activity from those listed below (if there is another one not listed that you wish to use instead, contact the instructor for permission). Choose an editor you have not used before! You may need to open a free account to use the editor; normally that's OK. Also, if the editor requires you to save to a site (e.g., to Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter), you may need to open a free account there as well. 2. Select a photo that you created with your digital camera, or that you acquired from a Creative Commons site. [[|http://search.creativecommons.org]] 3. Using the same photo, edit the photo using each editor. Publish the edited photo (and the original if possible) to a site, or, if you can download the edited photo, post it on your wiki page. 4. Provide a link to your two edited images. Be sure that they are accessible by all (even without an account). Conduct a feature comparison of the two editors. You should list features in a chart (see below), **and discuss them in a narrative**.
 * Part One: Edit Photos**
 * Part Two: Discussion**

For example, you might look at some of the following: 1. Tool selection (choices of tools) 2. Interface (quality; for example, is it intuitive?) 3. Speed (of previews, for example) 4. Export (save) capabilities 5. Flash or HTML based 6. Maximum file size of uploaded photo 7. Maximum resolution of uploaded photo 8. Cost, if any (some have Pro or Premium versions) 9. Layers (permitted?) 10. Effects 11. Killer feature Here is how you might set up your list (and then add your narrative discussion):
 * **criteria** || **(image editor one)** || **(image editor two)** ||
 * Tool selection ||  ||   ||
 * Interface ||  ||   ||
 * Speed ||  ||   ||
 * Export ||  ||   ||
 * Flash/HTML ||  ||   ||
 * Max. file size ||  ||   ||
 * Max. resolution ||  ||   ||
 * Cost ||  ||   ||
 * Layers ||  ||   ||
 * Effects ||  ||   ||
 * Killer feature ||  ||   ||

In your discussion, you might mention the similarities and differences between the two editors. (also, you might compare it with an online image editor you might already be familiar with) Conclude your discussion with a statement of your thoughts about the editors, including the possibilities for serious use in your employment setting and/or elsewhere. In other words, what can you do with this information?

[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

Note that some of these tools are just glitzy effects editors; others are serious photo editors. Explore! And remember to focus on how you could use such a tool in your setting. (Would you like to look at some free mobile apps for photo editing instead for this activity? That's OK! Just let me know what two tools you are thinking about including.)

You may post this assignment on your own wikispaces site for this class, or on your own domain. Send me the link to the results.

Here is an example.