I'm a graphic designer, so I own Photoshop and use it frequently to edit my blog photos and spend quite a bit of time each week editing/enhancing images. Unfortunately, not everyone has the cash to put down to own this software or maybe you don't own it because it seems a little bit intimidating just thinking about learning how to use the tools in Photoshop. I get a lot of questions asking how others can edit their images when they don't have the software. Now I can give a great and affordable recommendation: CameraBag2 from NeverCenter.
When CameraBag contacted me to try out their software, I was a little skeptical {I'll be honest!}, but interested in seeing how it compared to Photoshop. I was pleasantly surprised! CameraBag is compatible with both PC & Mac and extremely user-friendly. Anyone can easily learn to use it, and it's virtually impossible to "mess up" an image. I really liked all the filters available and you can customize the look of any image. If you're too overwhelmed and don't want to try to customize, there are already some "favorite" options that you can just select and be done! Editing photos can be easy and fast!
Here's a video preview of just a few of the things you can do with the CameraBag software:
The possibilities are endless. You can layer filters, add borders and I really love that you can manually enhance the photos as well. It gives you a little more creative freedom and I spent half the time on some of the images than it normally takes me to get a similar effect in Photoshop. Plus - $29 for a product like this is not that much to spend on software.
I realize I am sounding a little like an infomercial - I'm really trying not to! I'm just really excited about telling you guys about how fun this is! The only negative I have with this software is that there isn't any way to layer images or to add text to create a watermark.
Here's a mini tutorial I put together with screenshots of me playing with an image in CameraBag:

This is the original photo opened up. No effects or anything.
{The watermark was placed on the screenshot later through Photoshop}

Played with filters, contrast, shadows and added a vignette {darker corners}. I also chose the rounded corner border.
The filters are on the sidebar {in the "Styles" tab}. Mousing over one of the filters will show you a preview of your photo with that specific filter {shown in image above}. When you click a filter, it shows it in the tiles along the "bottom tray". Clicking on those tiles will allow you to edit the filter, hide the filter {to preview the image without it, but not deleting it}, and you also have the option of deleting one of the filters without having to start over completely.
The "Adjust" tab includes cropping, exposure, contrast, and color correction.
Borders tab... obvious. Lots of options without looking cheesy.
The "Favorites" tab is similar to the "styles" tab, but it does the adjustment work for you!
One click and you're done! {You can still make edits, add filters or delete tiles.}

I also thought the "Quicklooks" tab was pretty cool. After scrolling through some of the filters, I kind of forgot which ones I really liked. This option shows them all for you, side by side.
{The watermark was placed on the screenshot later through Photoshop}

Played with filters, contrast, shadows and added a vignette {darker corners}. I also chose the rounded corner border.
The filters are on the sidebar {in the "Styles" tab}. Mousing over one of the filters will show you a preview of your photo with that specific filter {shown in image above}. When you click a filter, it shows it in the tiles along the "bottom tray". Clicking on those tiles will allow you to edit the filter, hide the filter {to preview the image without it, but not deleting it}, and you also have the option of deleting one of the filters without having to start over completely.
The "Adjust" tab includes cropping, exposure, contrast, and color correction.
Borders tab... obvious. Lots of options without looking cheesy.
The "Favorites" tab is similar to the "styles" tab, but it does the adjustment work for you!
One click and you're done! {You can still make edits, add filters or delete tiles.}

I also thought the "Quicklooks" tab was pretty cool. After scrolling through some of the filters, I kind of forgot which ones I really liked. This option shows them all for you, side by side.

Done!
Easy to save and lets you choose the sizing of your file at the same time,
which is helpful when editing blog images!
Here's a few before & afters:

Used "Golden" filter {under Favorites}, adjusted shadows, and added the "Paper" border.

Used "Skater" filter, custom adjustments, and added black border.

Used "Vibrant Poolside" {under Favorites} and added a rounded corner border.
Now to the giveaway!
THREE lucky winners
will receive a free CameraBag2 license!
Good Luck!
The winner will be announced on {or around} August 4th.
**Disclosure: I received a free license to review from CameraBag2/NeverCenter as part of this giveaway. All opinions are my own.**
I would literally jump for joy if I won this!! I have so imtimidated by Photoshop so I haven't bought it!! I would love to start digi scrapping..and I have thousands of pictures of my little girl to play with ..and I am super excited with the new ones I take if I won this to play with!!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!!
I would love to have this software because I take tons of pictures and I feel sure this software would help me a lot!
ReplyDeletekellybrown28021@gmail.com
I would love this software as I have recently started selling on Etsy and have come to the sad conclusion that I am not the photographer I thought I might be! Help! Please, seriously, this software would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the two already here, we've got twin grandbebes on the way - twins! - and I would love to be able to edit my photos with a more advanced program than what I'm currently using.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really interesting. I have been considering getting software like this for a while!
ReplyDeleteI love trying out new editing software. And I am always looking for new tools for my blogging photos :)
ReplyDeleteThis software looks great! Ive been using free software for a while and know that I need to get more out of my pictures. Camerabag looks brilliant. :)
ReplyDeleteI love taking photos and editing them!!
ReplyDeletebl3982@yahoo.com
That software looks awesome! Those pictures are so cute!! And your blog is great! Stopping by from the vwb blog hop! Have an awesome Saturday!! (:
ReplyDeleteI so love editing photos, this would be so much fun to have. Ever since picnic closed down I've had a hard time finding something to take its place
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this because my photos for my budding shop look so horrible and I am a mom of 2 kids so a take quite a few pics of them as well. I am back in school and there is no money left for things like this at least unless my shop (fingers crossed) eventually takes off and starts selling.
ReplyDeleteI have a basic camera and I am trying to establish a smaal kids clothing business on facebook as I am unable to return to my former employment since surgery. This would help me promote my product so expertly and would be invaluable:-)
ReplyDeleteWow that software looks really cool!
ReplyDeleteDropping by from VWB and hope you'll come and visit me! :)
Holly
excitingholly.blogspot.com
Wow! this looks really neat. PS intimidates me sometimes but this seems pretty easy to use! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! My hubby surprised me with a great new camera not long ago and I'm having a love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with photoshop. I'd love to try something different!
ReplyDeleteI would love this as my picture taking ability has much to be desired!
ReplyDeleteI would love this, it seems very simple and quick to use and I need simple and quick these days! ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this software because it would allow me to edit easier on my computer and I currently do not have a good software to edit pictures.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this software. It looks awesome and I am always looking for a good way to make pictures look better!! I currently do not own any photo software so this would be great to have!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this software. My husband is a Graphic artist and he understands Photoshop, but I don't. I get lost in the mix and end up needing him to edit my pictures. I hate trying to explain what I want it to look like. I would love to be able to do it on my own. This software looks like it is easy to handle and has lots of options to choose from. We homeschool and it even looks like a great program for the kids to learn.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this! I am not able to purchase anything like this and am just now getting back into scrapbooking and card-making. (I have two little boys,a nd they are going to school, which leaves me time to craft more!) I would love to be able to create my own cards to send to family, especially for Christmas, and save a few dollars! :)
ReplyDeleteI am an aspiring photographer, and I can't afford most photo editing programs. I would be so thankful if I won this!
ReplyDeleteI just got my first DSLR camera - so I would love to have this program to learn how to improve the pictures I take. I don't have any photo editing programs now - so I am eager to have one!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves taking pictures, and she's quite good at it. I'd love to be able to give her this, because she says the editing is the hardest part. Thanks
ReplyDeletei would love this!!! i am trying to really learn more about photography!
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn how to do this and re touch all of my pictures.
ReplyDeleteI have a new camera & would love to have this software to make it even more fun to use!
ReplyDeleteThis software looks really interesting. Maybe easier than Photoshop. Or at least another tool in the box.
ReplyDeleteI take pictures daily and would really love some form of photo editing software to make my pictures great! ~Robin
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to document all those special times!
ReplyDeleteI love to take pictures! I also would love to turn my good photos into awesome photos. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this software for use in my new business photos of product but above all for the photos of my lovely family!!!
ReplyDeleteAngela
I would love to win this so that I can have a great software to edit my photos of my daughter and family.
ReplyDeleteThis software would be so helpful for me. I recently started blogging and even recently-er (yes, I just made that up) started learning about photography.
ReplyDeleteThis software would enable me to make the photos I take that much better, I'd love to get into doing more for families/friends that I take photos for
ReplyDeleteI know this will probably seem stupid, but I love your sandals that you are wearing in the photo with your daughter's feet. What kind of sandals are they? I also enjoy your photos. I am such a beginner when it comes to this that anything out there that makes it easier is simply awesome!
ReplyDelete