It used to be that you had to have a little toolkit of free image editing programs to take care of all the typical needs any visual communicator normally has. Mine still includes great free image editing programs like Photofiltre, Irfanview and DCE, a fantastic trio, which together with Snag-it (paid) I really couldn't do without. But the web-based, free image editing alternatives keep growing in number and quality.

Here below is just a micro selection to some of the most recent online image editing tools that have become available.

While limited in scope for now, this is in fact the step in the release of a complete and all-encompassing mini-guide to ALL online image editing tools available.

Photo credit: Randy McKown

1. Image editor that lets you quickly edit all your photos online from any operating systems
2. Image hosting service that lets users to manage, edit, and share their images online
3. Picture resizing service lets you create a custom profile avatar for your social networks
4. Photo service that lets you edit and save your images, screenshots and photos online
5. Image resizer lets you resize multiple pictures simultaneously within your browser
6. Color extracting tool lets your extract colors from any images to create color schemes
7. Photo editing service that lets you easily refine facial images in photos
8. Photo service providing image manipulation functions that is connected with your Flickr account
9. Photo editing site lets you make changes to your pictures and to photos available on the Web
10. Image editing service allows you to upload images from anywhere on the Web and edit them freely

1. Picnik
   
   
   
   Picnik is an image editor that lets you quickly edit all your photos online. It helps you fix underexposed photos, remove red-eye, or apply many special effects to your photos. Picnik is directly connected with many photo sharing sites and works on Mac, Windows and Linux. Picnik is completely free to use.
   
   http://www.picnik.com/





2. XMG Image
   
   XMG Image is an image hosting service that provides an interface for users to manage, edit, and share their images online. You can use some powerful editing features to crop, rotate, and resize your images. You can also add special effects, enhance your images, and do much more. XMG is completely free to use.
   http://xmgimage.com/





3. MyPictr
   
   MyPictr provides a picture resizing service, which allows you to create a custom profile avatar for your favorite social network. You don't need to install any programs: just upload your picture, resize it online and download it. MyPictr gives you enough time (approximately 10 minutes) to download your picture, then your file is automatically removed. MyPictr is free to use.
   http://mypictr.com/





4. OnlinePhotoTool
   
   OnlinePhotoTool is a service that lets you edit and save your images, screenshots and photos online. You can use photos and images from your hard drive as well as pictures on the Internet. If you want to save your images online you need to register. It is possible to resize, crop, add text and set up special effects to any pictures. OnlinePhotoTool is completely free to use.
   http://www.onlinephototool.com/





5. Quick Thumbnail
   
   Quick Thumbnail is an online image resizer. You choose an image file, select some resize options, and hit “Resize it”. Your image will be uploaded to the server and resized, and then any or all of the resized images will be provided in a single convenient view. Not only can you simultaneously generate different sizes but you can enlarge your images too. Free to use.
   http://www.quickthumbnail.com/








6. pic2color
   
   pic2color is a tool that helps you extract colors from any images. It helps you creates sophisticated color schemes from images effortlessly and offers seamless integration with GenoPal Online for individual color exploration. Users can also integrate it into their website by posting some HTML code. Free to use.
   http://www.pic2color.com/





7. FaceFilter
   
   FaceFilter Live is a service that lets you easily refine facial images in photos to your satisfaction. You need to upload a picture (to achieve the best result, the photo subject should be looking directly forward), which can be either in jpeg or gif format. The available commands let you change the expression of the portrayed face with great ease. Free to use.
   http://www.forteelectric.com/FreePhotoEditor.html





8. Preloadr
   
   Preloadr is a service providing image manipulation functions that is connected with your Flickr account. Before sending the images to Flickr, you can modify them with several tools and perform cropping, sharpening, color correction and much more. Once you've optimized your photo you can specify details about the image and set tags, as you're used to do at Flickr. Free to use.
   http://www.preloadr.com/





9. Cellsea
   
   Cellsea is a site that lets you rotate, resize, and crop photos to get the exact composition and size you need. There are over 15 ways to correct color, exposure, and lighting problems. You just need to click and drag your mouse to ripple, circle, sphere and curl the photo. It is also possible to add professional-looking blur effects to your photos. You can load from your PC or from an URL. Free to use.
   http://www.cellsea.com/java-cellsea/media/index.htm





10. myImager
    
    myImager is a web-based image editor. You can upload images from your computer and from anywhere on the web and edit them freely with the dozens of tools and filters that this tool offers. Uploaded files can not be larger than 500 KB. myImager is completely free to use.
    http://www.myimager.com/