Image Editing Tools

Related pages: Image Specs, Where to Find Images

Featured Images

The featured image is the image that will show on the homepage of our website and on our Facebook page.

Featured images need to be landscape rectangular and between 640 and 700 pixels wide and at least 400px tall. They can be JPG or PNG. 

For more detailed information about image specifications, please visit our Image Specs guide.

The tools:

1. Resize using Paint 

Microsoft Paint is already installed on PCs.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/resize-a-picture-using-paint 

 2. Use a free online tool.

There are lots, but here is one that’s particularly easy. After resizing you can download or simply right click to save image. 

 http://www.resize-photos.com/

Another great list of free online tools can be found here.

Another good tool for resizing: ReSizeImage.net

 3. Sumopaint

Online photo editing tool. Free for the basic version, but it has a pro version for less than $5/month. Your browser has to support Flash.

http://www.sumopaint.com/ 

4. GIMP 

Best free alternative to Photoshop. Almost all the PS features are available in GIMP. Runs on all popular operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux).

 http://gimp.org/

5. Paint.net

Much easier to use than Photoshop, but only runs on Windows. Not for professional use, but perfect for simple photo edits.

http://www.getpaint.net/

6. Pixlr

Another browser based photo editing software, which uses Flash. Very easy to use, perfect for simple edits and no download is required! Pixlr is also available for smartphones. 

https://pixlr.com/

7. PixBuilder Studio

Photo editor for professional use. Looks similar to GIMP, but it has less features, so easier to use.

http://www.wnsoft.com/pixbuilder/

8. GIFs

For a GIF that’s flipping between two to three still images, many experts recommend GifMaker.me.

BuzzFeed Editors Recommend: GifBrewery, available in the App Store (sorry, Mac only).

http://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/how-to-make-a-gif-without-photoshop#.fvGQW0D6lR

9. Free online GIF Makers

They’re not great, but if you you’re looking for something super quick and with no bells or whistles, they’ll get the job done.

MakeAGif  Pros: Just drop in a YouTube link, select start time and if you want it between 1-5 seconds. Cons: leaves a “makeagif.com” watermark on your gif. Also, the timing can’t get too precise for the start and end times of the gif. UPDATE: MakeAgif founder Troy Osinoff tells us that you can avoid the watermark by creating a free account and logging in. Thanks, Troy!

ImgFlip Pros: Allows you to add captions to your gif easily, more control over timing. Cons: It prompts you to download a YouTube video using KeepVid, which can be wonky.