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Images: Zooming in on photo editing tools

While most photographs are rectangular, the tools we use to edit them online come in all manner of shapes and sizes. Here's a look at 13 of them.

Josh Lowensohn
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
Josh Lowensohn
Flaunter.png
1 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Flauntr

While most photographs are rectangular, the tools we use to edit them come in all manner of shapes and sizes. We've looked at more than a dozen different online services that let you edit your photos and capture what each one of them looks like so you can get a preview before you dive in.

To see how they stack up against each other, click here for a complete comparison chart.

Flauntr
Here you can see how Flauntr's user interface packs a lot of features in a small space. When you're done working on a photo, you can also kick it over to one of FotoDesk's other editing tools from the top menu.

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2 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

FotoFlexer

FotoFlexer
FotoFlexer's menu uses tabs that let you cruise through various settings and options. It's also got a great full-screen mode to let you work on a photo to the maximum resolution of your display--something that's useful for large photos.
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3 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Lunapic

Lunapic
Lunapic may not be the prettiest of the bunch, but it's got a ton of goodies, including a huge list of tutorials that tell you how to use it. It will also run in browsers without Adobe's Flash, which can be handy if you're trying to edit a photo or two on a public computer that doesn't have it installed.
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4 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Phixr

Phixr
Phixr is hard to spell, but not to use. What its UI lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in solid, easy-to-use tools. Seen here is the noise removal tool, which can get rid of the speckling that happens when taking photos at high ISO levels.
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5 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Phoenix

Phoenix
Phoenix, which is part of the Aviary image editing suite, lets you edit photographs in a virtual workspace. If you're looking for something that looks and responds like a desktop app, this comes close.
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6 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Photoshop.com

Photoshop.com
Adobe's foray into online photo editing may have been a little later than everyone else, but it's come with some innovation. For example, its filter effects (seen to the left) show you what your photo will look like before you even apply the effect.
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7 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Picnik

Picnik
Picnik has one of the best visual styles of any photo editing service. It's got quirk and character, and some really good tools to back it up. Like Photoshop's offering, you can see what special effects and filters look like before applying them to the photo.
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8 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Picture2Life

Picture2Life
Picture2Life has a simple but very deep offering. On one hand it lets you add things like glitter and stamps to your images. On the other, there are great filters and smart editing tools that make your photos look like you edited them using expensive software.
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9 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Pixenate

Pixenate
Pixenate is dead simple to use. There are a wide variety of one-button fixes, alongside tools that will give expert editors granular control over things like tone, contrast, and exposure.
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10 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Pixer.us

Pixerus
Pixerus may be the simplest looking of the bunch, but it packs a lot of special effects and filters you can add to your photos. If you're looking to do a quick crop, rotate, or resize of a picture, this is one of your best bets.
Pixlr.png
11 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Pixlr

Pixlr
Pixlr looks and feels a lot like Adobe's Photoshop. This includes support for layers, of which you can control the opacity and masking of each one. If you're looking for a tool similar to Photoshop that won't require a steep learning curve, Pixlr is an attractive offering.
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12 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Snipshot

Snipshot
Snipshot has some really fun and powerful effects, but you'll need to pony up to use them. Most of Snipshots' utility can only be obtained by paying the $7 a month for the premium membership.
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13 of 13 Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks

Splashup

Splashup
Splashup is another tool that attempts to emulate the experience of working in a desktop software application. If you like working with multiple pictures and layers at once, this tool does an admirable job.

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