Photoshop Express Online - it's here!

About a year ago I was told that Adobe was going to create an online version of Photoshop - and that was big news. It is relatively easy to create an online mail application (it is just text), but an online version of Photoshop? That would be a spectacular example of advanced application design.

I have been following the development of "Adobe Photoshop Express" (indirectly) and today they finally released it to the public. So the big question is... Is it an online version of Photoshop?

Well... no - it's not. Not even close actually. Not even "kind of the same thing". Adobe "Photoshop" Express is not an image editor, in any way. It is solely an image adjustment tool - like Google Picassa, Apple iPhoto, ACDSee or Windows Photo Album.

You cannot control part of an image - e.g. select something and adjust only that. You cannot control image levels, or the saturation of each color. You cannot clone part of an image, you cannot mix elements, you cannot flip it, you have no brushes, you cannot paint anything, and you cannot add text.

In short - you cannot do any of the things you would expect from a "Photoshop" application.

This is what you can do...

You can see you images, create albums and view them as slideshows:

You can do basic full image adjustements like changing the exposure, remove red eyes, sharpen it etc.

You can add a few selected effects, like making it black & white, boost hues or turn it into a sketch.

I must admit that I am hugely disappointed. This is nothing like Photoshop. It's pretty much the same as Picknik. And this is from THE "image editing company" - the big guys of the graphic industry.

The question now is, of course, is it at all possible to create advanced image editing on the web? The answer is yes and no. Splashup is close to the desktop version of Photoshop - it even looks like it. But, it is still not very advanced.

Splashup is more like Photoshop version 3 from 1994 - not Photoshop CS3 from 2007. It's cool, but it does not, in any way, allow you to do professional work.

Advanced web applications design are still a thing "yet to come...". We can do amazing things with text and boxes, but when it comes to graphics or anything visual the desktop still rules the game.

BTW: I know that my expectations was "a bit too high". But then again, they did call it "Photoshop" - didn't they?

Update

A side note: Scrapblog, an extremely cool web application, also includes "basic image editing" as of yesterday.

Comments

Thomas Baekdal - Mar. 27, 2008

Just want to add... Apart from being disappointed by that an "online version of Photoshop is not anything like Photoshop". I do actually like the interface and the interaction.

The live preview boxes is amazing, and the overall feel of it is very good. If we forget the word "Photoshop", this is a rather cool web application.

The Identity Guy - Mar. 27, 2008

The problem with Adobe is on the image and graphic side there is really nothing more they can enhance, kind of like Microsoft Word, how much more can they add to it? Adobe's best move was buying Macromedia that's the only thing adding innovation to their company. I from an outsider looking in, it looks like the Macromedia team stayed in tact because even the Adobe site is so Macromedia looking. As for that online junk, everyone wants to cater the consumers and not the professionals. The consumer market is what's growing for these companies. Have you ever user Photoshop Elements or Apple iWeb? For a regular joe these tools must feel great, it makes the now professional user feel good about themselves, but for professional designers you feel like your handcuffed.

It's like buying a blank canvas and a paint by numbers set, Photoshop online or whatever they call it is a paint by the numbers set.

Christian Cimon - Mar. 28, 2008

The closest thing to Photoshop Online that I've seen on the web is Aviary (http://a.viary.com/). A bundle of online tools (made from Flash!?) that are surprisingly well done and quick to use. True, I haven't fully tested them, but I do have an access to the beta of Aviary and it's far more promising than Photoshop Express Online...

It's all a matter of expectations I guess...

Thomas Baekdal - Mar. 28, 2008

Christian, Yes Phoenix does show some promise, but I have not had the chance to test it (read: I don't have an invite).

But I do like the comparisson article they wrote today.

Kevin Cannon - Mar. 28, 2008

I think you're ignoring targeting.

Adobe didn't create a online version of Photoshop CS3 because no one wants that. They're expanding the brand name Photoshop to home users and photo enthusiasts.

I think that they've missed the mark in some respects all the same, but they're creating a consumer photo editing app, and that's the key thing to bear in mind when evaluating it.

Thomas Baekdal - Mar. 28, 2008

Kevin, I know that :)

But, in my opinion. Expanding the Photoshop line to cover both low-tech photo stuff and high tech magic is a big mistake. It will destroy the brand.

Jeff Blanton - Apr. 19, 2008

I think the main purpose of Express is to promote and sell Elements. Users will hit their limits and want more. Its the classic bait and switch marketing tool.

I love your site Thomas!