Picture this: Websites can help wrangle photo clutter

Fall is just a weekend away, the kids are back in school and you finally have a breather to ponder an annual problem -- what to do with all of those photos you took over the summer.

That's where these photo-friendly websites come in handy. They'll help you do everything from sharing your memories to turning them into videos, from making them look better to using them for postage.

Digital cameras make using such online resources a cinch because the images are already in the digital domain. The most complicated thing you might have to do is transfer the photos to your computer.

And there's good reason to smile: Many of the sites are free.

Get some tools in order

First, you might want to tweak your images -- cropping, removing red eye, adjusting contrast and other steps to make them look better. Chances are that your digital camera or computer came with image-editing software to do this. If not, or if you want to try something else, the highly regarded program used by many professionals (starting at $649) is available free online as Adobe Photoshop Express (www.photoshop.com/express). This no-frills version is nowhere near as full-featured as the paid edition, but it's fine for casual users. There are other free image-editing programs online, too. Geek blogger Specky Boy (www.startribune.com/a/?4587) has posted a list of his top 15 picks, including Pixer (www.pixer.us) and Snipshot (www.snipshot.com).

It's always nice to share

But you can do more

Other photo-sharing sites not only allow you to create online galleries but also serve as virtual photo processors. You can order prints or create various products using your images, including swell photo books. These bound albums are a perfect way to commemorate an event such as a wedding or family reunion. There are usually discounts for ordering multiple copies, which makes them ideal for gifts.

My favorite site, Snapfish (www.snapfish.com), is the largest and a snap to use. But there are dozens of others, including Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com), dotPhoto (www.dotphoto.com), the Mac favorite MyPublisher (www.mypublisher.com), Picaboo (www. picaboo.com), Lulu (www. lulu.com/en/products/photo_books), Kodak Gallery (www. kodakgallery.com) and Webshots (www.webshots. com). Even Wal-Mart (www. walmart.com) and Walgreens (photo.walgreens.com) have thriving online photo centers.

These sites have built-in image-editing tools, too. Those that offer online galleries do so for free, but check coupon sites such as Dealnews (www.dealnews.com) for significant discounts on their products.

Try something different

For example, PhotoStamps (photo.stamps.com) lets you create real postage using your photos ($5 to $10, plus cost of postage). Wouldn't it be cool to mail out a birth announcement using a pic of the new baby or a wedding invitation using an image of the bride and groom? Although PhotoStamps is endorsed by the U.S. Postal Service, it has competitors, such as Zazzle (www.zazzle.com/custom/stamps) and YourStamps (www.yourstamps.com).

British-based MOO (www. moo.com/products) has received raves for its MiniCards (starting at $20). These mini calling cards can have up to 100 individual photos, plus text on the reverse side, and can be used in business dealings or as clever customized gifts.

CafePress (www.cafepress. com) has a mind-numbing array of fun and wacky items that can be customized with your photos, including a teddy bear ($13), barbecue apron ($15) and pet-food bowls ($17-$20).

Have even more fun

The super-sweet Animoto (www.animoto.com), as it says, is "like a movie trailer for your pictures." Upload your images and the site will turn them into a kinetic slide show with pulsating music. You'll think you shot video, instead of still pictures. Short clips are free to create and can be posted anywhere on the Web; longer, higher-quality clips are $5 to download and $20 for a custom DVD.

For even more fun photo ideas, check out the online newsletter of Photojojo! (www.photojojo.com/content). You could learn, for example, how to make an "animated" flip book using your images or how to scratch your prints to create edgy art. You'll probably want to take even more photos to explore all the possibilities.