The basics of graphics/photo editors

A Web graphic is a Web page element that isn't made of text or HTML code. Photographs, banners, logos and icons all fall under this category. In the wrong hands, these elements can be overused, cumbersome and unattractive, but when incorporated into a well-designed site they add a subtle sheen and an air of professionalism. If you want to venture into this world of pixels and colors, you're going to need a graphics editor.

The king of graphics programs is Adobe Photoshop. Not only is it the graphics editor of choice among independent Web publishers, it's also a mainstay in the offices of professional Web publications. With Photoshop you can create original graphics, enhance photographs, and even design entire sites. It's a powerful tool, but being such, it has a learning curve. Mastering the basics requires a bit of study, and it takes time to acclimate yourself with the program's extensive options. Fortunately, there's a plethora of online tutorials and instruction books (see below) that can get you up and running.

Despite its ubiquity, Photoshop does have a downside: It's expensive. The latest version -- Photoshop 7.0 -- sells for around $600. If your budget (and your stomach) can't handle Photoshop's financial hit, consider the alternatives in the following overview:

Graphics editor overview

Program	Platform	Notes
Adobe Photoshop	Macintosh, Windows	Adobe Photoshop is expensive, but there's a reason it's the industry standard -- it's a powerful program.
Jasc Software Paint Shop Pro	Windows	This program is billed as a low-cost (around $100) graphics package with high-cost tools. It has everything you'll need to create Web graphics and work with photos.
Macromedia Fireworks	Macintosh, Windows	CNET recently ranked Fireworks ahead of Photoshop in the Web graphics arena. Priced between $250-$300, it covers all the basics and features a broad set of advanced Web tools. Macromedia offers a bundled version of Fireworks that includes the company's Dreamweaver layout editor.
Got a recommendation? Send it to: editor@theindependentpublisher.com.

Related links

Name	Type	Notes
Webmonkey: Photoshop Crash Course	Web tutorial	A comprehensive collection of Photoshop lessons that covers everything from cropping to colors.
PS Workshop	Web tutorial	This Photoshop tips search engine points the way to hundreds of Web tutorials. If you're looking to learn a new trick, or you've got a gap in your basic knowledge, this site can help.
Photoshop Newsgroup	Web tutorial	Photoshop users post questions and tips through this Usenet group.
O'Reilly: Photoshop for the Web	Book	O'Reilly, a respected publisher of computer and technical books, published this Photoshop guide in 1999, so it's a bit dated. Nevertheless, the basics of Photoshop are covered in detail.
Got a recommendation? Send it to: editor@theindependentpublisher.com.