Editing Features:  

Photoshop Express lacks many of the layering features available in its software-based version, but still maintains many of the tools to accurately adjust levels, add fill light, make changes to hue, saturation or color, as well as other tools to instantly touchup spots, remove red-eye or soften or sharpen specific areas. Best of all, nearly all changes and adjustments are made with a unique preview menu below, giving an indication of what the photo will look like with a chosen effect at different intensities. Photoshop Express also enables users to instantly reset an image to its original state and even maintains a duplicate of the original to compare it to while editing.

In addition to image improvement and adjustment features, Adobe has also recently unveiled a new “Decorate” portal, which allows users to incorporate visual embellishments, add speech bubbles and overlaying text and surround photos with stylish frames and borders. As of this review, the service is currently in Beta, with the Adobe Photoshop Express development team open to user feedback and commentary.

Import/Export:  

Adobe can import from a variety of sources, including your computer’s hard drive, specific URLs and even social-networking and photo sites like Facebook, Flickr, Photobucket and Picasa, operating as an intra-site app to quickly improve, adjust and even transform photos and other images.

Photoshop Express also offers a variety of options for exporting finished images ranging from simple file saves and resized avatar images to cell phones, PDA devices and even photobook and screen-printing services.

Ease of Use:  

Most users familiar with the software-based version of Photoshop likely remember the learning curve that went into using the program at even a cursory level. With Photoshop Express, however, the learning curve is only minutes long, with an intuitive interface and simplified tools to get users the effects and changes they want without having to search through laundry lists of filters or effects or wade through an expanse of carte-blanche design tools and features.

From importing or uploading images and photos to saving, exporting and sharing them, Photoshop Express provides a intuitive and user-friendly process.

Help/Support:  

Adobe offers a variety of resources to enhance program fluency, enhance use and troubleshoot problems or issues that may arise. These resources include a FAQ section, user forums, How-to Videos, Tutorials and even a portal for user feedback. While Photoshop Express is markedly simpler and easier to use than its software counterpart, Adobe never leaves its web app users without recourse or resource.

Though Photoshop Express lacks many of the filters, effects and paint/design features of other online image editing programs like Pixlr and Picnik, it nevertheless makes a strong argument for itself based on the quality of its results, the ease of its use and the breadth of its options for importing and exporting finished and unfinished images.