Photo editing or post-production is now an integral part of photo hobbyists’ and pros’ workflows, and is often the second most critical step to producing a photograph after taking the shot itself. With such importance, it is crucial for photographers to find editing software that can fulfill and support all of their needs, ranging from basic editing control to adjust brightness and contrast, to more complex solutions for performing non-destructive edits with layers and masks, as well as manage an entire library of images. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options available for handling your photographs post-capture.
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
Beginning with the most recognizable photo-editing software around, Adobe Photoshop is a product so well known that its name has been transmogrified into a verb. There is little to say that hasn’t already been said for years about the king of photo-editing software; Photoshop is an incredibly well-rounded application that covers anything from making slight brightness and contrast adjustments, processing raw files, or retouching images all the way up to producing multi-layered, stitched image composites rife with selections and masks. Photoshop is available as part of a full-fledged Adobe Creative Cloud subscription; however, for photographers, the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan bundles Photoshop with its younger brother and second most well-known photo-editing software, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
Introduced almost exactly 16 years after the birth of Photoshop, Lightroom (technically called “Photoshop Lightroom”) is a slightly scaled-down, more specialized image-editing application. Intended more for photographers than all creatives working with “imagery,” Lightroom is best-known for its non-destructive editing environment, raw file processing capabilities, and file organization and management capabilities. Lightroom is also better tailored to digital photographers in particular, due to the inclusion of several tools for performing batch, repetitive, and synchronized edits. Since the introduction of the Creative Cloud Photography Plan, and Lightroom’s inclusion within it, this software has also bifurcated into Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC. Lightroom CC is designed to exist within a cloud-based editing workflow, with automatic syncing and backups, while Lightroom Classic CC is a desktop-focused version supporting local storage methods.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023
For those who don’t need the huge power that the full version of Photoshop provides, Adobe is continuing to release the light version of this application: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023. One of the key differences between elements and Creative Cloud-based applications is that Elements applications are not subscription based; you will own this software indefinitely. Besides that difference, it’s really up to figuring if the lighter feature set can benefit the way you work with photographs. It is a much simpler interface and won’t be the best choice for complex selections and masking, but if you’re the photographer looking to just spruce up the contrast and color of a photo and then make a small print to gift to someone, Elements 2023 might be all you need.
Capture One Pro 23
One of the strongest competitors to Adobe’s offerings, in terms of professional workflows and file management, Capture One software gained popularity early on as an apt solution for shooting tethered. Beyond its vast support for various cameras and raw file types, Capture One is also a very capable image-editing solution, especially in regard to color management, as well as file organization through the use of Catalogs and Sessions. Now in the aptly named “23” edition, Capture One Pro is becoming a more well-rounded software with each release, and is complementing more general photo-editing needs with updating and new tools, layered workflows, and improved color handling.
Skylum Luminar Neo and Aurora HDR
One of the younger entrants in the world of photo editing software, Skylum’s Luminar has quickly become a popular choice for general editing, raw processing, and file organization needs. Now called Luminar Neo, one of the key distinctions of this software is the use of AI processes throughout the editing workflow. AI can be faster and more efficient, and sometimes can be a useful tool to help resolve creative blocks. Whatever the case, the multitude of AI capabilities in Luminar makes it a smart and easy-to-use application that can, of course, be used manually for full personal control.
Complementing the versatility of Luminar is the specialty of Aurora HDR, which is a purpose-built software for achieving an increased dynamic range. It’s suitable for compositing multiple frames into an HDR composite or can work with single-frame images.
Serif Affinity Photo 2
Another well-rounded alternative, Affinity Photo 2 is a versatile program characterized by its layer-based, non-destructive editing workflow. Beyond the standard editing tools you’d expect from most applications, Affinity ups it with support for raw file processing, HEIF file support, and the ability to composite HDR and focus-stacked images. It’s also especially flexible, with compatibility with Mac, Windows, and iOS for iPad.
Corel PaintShop Pro 2022 Ultimate
Last in our look at editing tools for photographers is a bundle from Corel: PaintShop Pro 2022 Ultimate. The base of this suite, PaintShop Pro 2022, is a non-destructive editing application fitted with raw file editing capabilities, a layers-based workflow, and numerous templates and other creative assets to kick-start your creative process. A range of text tools allows you to introduce elements of graphic design to imagery, and photographers also benefit from HDR tools and content-aware fill technology. In addition to PaintShop Pro, this bundle also includes Highlight Reel, MultiCam Capture Light, Painter Essentials 8, Sea-to-Sky Workspace, Corel AfterShot 3, and Corel Creative Collection.
Have you a favorite photo-editing program? Tell us about it in the Comments section, below.
27 Comments
Thank you for sharing this useful information. I am using an online manual photo editing service tool with AI technology. It really helped me a lot in my work so I wanted to share it with you.
Hi there, Vy. Thanks for sharing!
wow, I can believe you didn’t include On1 Raw 2020, the fastest complete solution out there. It has replaced both ps and Lightroom for me, providing a powerful, easy to use DAM, RAW processing and great features for a single price. It does HDR, PANO, and others from within one app. And if you need to link to other features like NIK, L4 or Topaz it works as the key app. I've owned or tested every app that runs on macs and it is by far the best. And on top of the app is great customer service, a road map that they meet and exceed, and if you become a + member some of the best photography classes and videos available.
For dinosaurs who are philosophically against subscriptions for software and don't have the time or aptitude to wrap their heads around learning Photoshop, ON 1 Photo RAW 2020.1 is a welcome, user friendly and appreciated solution. It combines capabilities from PhotoShop and Lightroom and you can own it for a very reasonable price. I am into my third year with them and they have countless video tutorials which are multiplied when joining their On One Plus Educational Series. On top of that, they are still improving their software every year with major improvements. They combine automatic editing with sophisticated manual options.
Here, here! For an article supposedly updated 2 weeks ago, or even the original, ignoring Photo Raw's immense capability strikes me as shallow at best. Don't miss Lightroom (or subscription) a bit.
If I were all of you and the others, try some Photo Imaging Software all for Free such as both PhotoScape and XnView, indeed!!! Stay Blessed!!!
I recommend you try photoviewerpro. It works perfectly well
A nice review of good photo editors. For those who likes to shoot and edit RAW images, I'd recommend PhotoWorks software, it's easy to use and versatile, so suits both beginners and professionals.
For some reasons I just don't like photoshop. I tried to find something simple and multifunctional. So, that's why I started to use Movavi Photo editor. Changing background is one of the best it's feature, too easy!
Bjorn,
Or anyone else, I was wondering if there is a decent editor out there that has the capability of comprehensive automatic editing for someone that is colorblind?
Thanks...
I guess I'm just old and have lost the fight, to the consumer market - but to me, 'editing' is the culling of images, in order to select the final image for publication. So is a Photo Editor, now a Photoshop expert? :(
I'm still using NIK software but every time it is getting harder and harder to operate since Google dropped it and does not provide updates matching PS CC.
Is there anyone out there in my situation? I have been looking at Topaz but not made a decision yet.
As you have already guessed, I shoot in RAW but I still find come ultra sophisticated editing programs a bit threatening.
Hello Olga, I use NIK software with CS5 no issues at all. Im not sure above the CS5. BTW few months ago DxO Optics brought the rights from Google, I believe the new release of NIK software is schedule Sept also it will be a charge (dont know the price yet ) The great news is in hands of DxO. Hoppe it helps!!!
Nice article in the first place. I also recommend PhotoViewerPro coz it's easy to use and learn to edit images or photo and many more.
Hi Bjorn,
thanks for such an interesting article. I have tried some of the programs you mentioned, but I ended up with Zoner Photo Studio. Have you tried this one? To me it seems pretty nice and primarily universal.
Mathilda
I will continue to believe that Phase One's Capture One is by far the best photo editing software out there. Although it is not an all-in-one solution like Photoshop, I feel that everything from the interface to the details inside each tool is better designed and the results you want are easier to achieve.
You should mention that DxO OpticsPro does not support Fuji X sensor cameras. This is unfortunate, since the program does a number of things very well indeed. DxO's camera testing equipment and software cannot accommodate the non-Bayer sensors, and the Fuji market is too small for DxO to invest in the changes necessary to test the Fujis. DxO OpticsPro apparently relies on the tests they do of cameras, so Fuji is out in the cold.
Thanks for taking the time to put the above article together; I ask that you clarify some of the content though.
As mentioned by Two rails above, the entry regarding the On1 software packages is incorrect. The current software, On1 Photo 10 will be upgraded with the release of On1 Photo RAW, so I'd like to sugest it would be worthwhile clarifying with On1 whether they intend to run Photo 10 alongside Photo RAW or whehter it will be a replacement program. If Photo RAW replaces Photo 10 then the above article will be completely incorrect in 2 days time when Photo RAW is released.
Regards,
Grant
Hi Bjorn,
I own and use several of the product above and feel they are all great products. My overall favorite is ON1’s Photo 10. I love that program and have been using it since version 3 when it was known as the Perfect Photo Suite by OnOne. Perfect Photo Suite became Photo 10 after Perfect Photo Suite 9. Photo 10 is getting a new name, too, and will be called Photo RAW with the next release. The name change is appropriate as while Photo 10 can ‘work with’ RAW images, it is not a RAW editor/converter. Photo RAW will have all the power and functionality of Photo 10, and a lot more. As the new name suggests, Photo RAW will be a RAW editor/converter. I say ‘will have’ as Photo RAW has not been released yet and I’m assisting with BETA testing at the moment. The public release of Photo RAW is scheduled for December 19th.
Sincerely,
TwoRails
Is anyone familiar with software from Serif? They were publishing PhotoPlus, but that's now been redeveloped from the ground up (according to them) and is now Affinity Photo. I'm interested in knowing how this compares. I'm certainly not interested in paying the Adobe tax (annual subscription fee) and this looks to be quite capable.
As a pure hobbist, I started out with a program called picture publisher by micrografx which was eventually brought by Corel it had a masking system that was simple and easy to learn and use but quite powerful. Now I am using ACDSee pro 10 anyone out there using ACDSee, what do you think of it
The title should be : Best of WINDOWS editing software. Hopefully, you a lot of free software that made the same job !
Hi Marc-
With the exception of Corel's PaintShop Pro, all of the other mentioned software is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
When discussing all the various options, at least some mention should be made (for the cheapskates among us :-) of the freeware available. GIMP is certainly worth a look as are the freeware programs put out by the camera companies. Concerning the latter, this Nikon shooter only has experience with Nikon's Capture NX-D. For casual editing like a bit of cropping or exposure correction or occasional dust-spot removal, it is all that's needed, is easy to use, and the price ($ zero) is certainly right.
What do you think about Affinity Photo? In my experience it is better than Capture One.
Hi Ad-
I've yet to try Affinity Photo, but have read nice things about it. How do you feel it outperforms Capture One? I really enjoy using Capture One when shooting tethered, and for file management and organization, which seem to be areas Affinity does not address. But for raw file editing, I'd be curious to hear how Affinity compares to Capture One.
I ended up with Corel Paintshop Pro/Aftershot Pro almost as a default. An early version of Paintshop Pro came bundled with Wordperfect Office when I updated my word processing and spreadsheet program at work a number of years ago. Now I have expanded it to include Paintshop Pro, Aftershot Pro and Video Studio. The programs work efficiently and turn our great images and videos. They are also less expensive than the Adobe programs. The only problem with the Corel programs (and all non Adobe programs) is the lack of training opportunities. For example, B&H has a ton of videos on Photshop/Lightroom, but I have never seen one on any other program. There are some training videos for Corel out there, but you have to look for them. Also, some of the Lightroom videos help with Paintshop and Aftershot, you just have to convert some of the language.