The Cutting Room: Editing Programs and Storage
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.
GPS | Photos | Video | Software and Storage
MAKE YOUR MASTERPIECE
5 editing programs for every level
- Picasa Best for All photo enthusiasts Organize, edit, resize, and export your digital photos to make prints, posters, and slideshows. This website also allows one-click manual geotagging in Google Earth. Mac/PC. Free, picasa.google.com
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 Best for serious photographers Upgrade to advanced editing tools to fix errors, adjust skin tones, and change backgrounds. This software also saves images in multiple formats. Mac/PC. $100, adobe.com
- iMovie ’08 Best for all video enthusiasts Simple interface helps you find, cut, and splice clips, create transitions, and write titles. Add a soundtrack from your iTunes library. Supports HD formats like AVCHD. Mac. $80, apple.com/imovie
- Pinnacle Studio Plus 11Best for serious videographers Add titles, combine clips and photos, and overlay music tracks. Imports HD and AVCHD footage, and exports to DVD and multiple file formats. PC only. $100, pinnaclesys.com
- Final Cut Express 4 Best for serious videographers Upgrade from iMovie to more editing tools, 200 special effects, and multiple video and audio tracks. Works with HD and AVCHD. Mac. $200, apple.com/finalcut
ASSET MANAGEMENT
2 smart solutions for data storage
- Sandisk ImageMate 5-in-1 Reader/Writer Eliminate camera-cord tangles. This universal tool downloads photo and video files from SDHC, SD, and Memory Stick PRO cards to your computer. Mac/PC. $20, sandisk.com
- Simple Drive External Hard Drive (750 GB) Free up space on your computer by storing up to 200,000 high-quality photos or 375 hours of SD video on this sleek desktop hard drive. Mac/PC. $210, simpletech.com.