how do I change the background of a picture that I took.

I want to put my own backgrounds on my pictures but am unsure if I have to
buy software for this. I just want to put in different backgounds any body
know how but it has got to be easy I am very new with the computer stuff.....

It's not particularly easy, and it does require software that is not part of
Office.

Best free option is The Gimp http://www.gimp.org/, othewise you need
something like Adobe Photoshop (the lightweight Elements version may
suffice), Corel PhotoPaint, or any of rest of the crop of photo editors.

Val

"DGIRL" <DGIRL@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B899EB52-4E32-4298-AF6C-BF7D93FD60C0@microsoft.com...
I want to put my own backgrounds on my pictures but am unsure if I have to
buy software for this. I just want to put in different backgounds any body
know how but it has got to be easy I am very new with the computer
stuff.....

To add to what Val said, the difficulty in changing the background of a
picture depends very much upon the complexity of its foreground objects.

Since you are obviously not familiar with what's involved I would suggest
that you try something a bit simpler than "The GIMP", though it is excellent
software. The Photoshop Elements software might work for you, but I'm going
to suggest a freeware offering called Paint.NET. You can get it at

http://www.getpaint.net/index.html

It is very easy for a beginner to use compared to GIMP, but be prepared for
a learning curve regardless of which way you go. There is a forum associated
with the Paint.NET web site where you might be able to get some advice as to
how to proceed.

Good luck.

"DGIRL" wrote:

> I want to put my own backgrounds on my pictures but am unsure if I have to
> buy software for this. I just want to put in different backgounds any body
> know how but it has got to be easy I am very new with the computer stuff.....