digital photography has become more and more common in the interior design and real estate business. Pictures taken with cameras and put on websites and social networking became an essential part of everything we do. However, sometimes these images need to be edited. You can’t easily sell a photo with a crooked line, or maybe someone wants to remove some defects from their home. That is why I’ve decided to create a review of the best photo editing software which you can use to improve your photos.
Photo Editing software is used to improve the quality of images. Photo editing software acts as simple image editors. Photo editing software works to manipulate your pictures after taking them by using different effects, images filters and many other popular photo editing functions like adding text, shapes, layers, etc. Image editors also give a lot of options for you to edit your pictures.
Affinity Photo 1.10
We complain that there’s too much Photoshop doesn’t do, but the fact is for many photographers this kind of old-school image editor is exactly what they need. And Affinity Photo gives you exactly the same thing, but subscription-free, via a single extra-low payment. Affinity Photo is sold at a budget price point, but it has the tools and the features, and the power to compete with Photoshop head-on. Serif has focused particularly heavily on the retouching market, with cloning, healing, and retouching tools, an Inpainting tool for automatic object removal, and a dedicated Liquify persona (workspace) for localized image distortion effects. Affinity Photo is an extremely powerful photo editor with more tools and features than there’s space to list here, from focus stacking and HDR tone mapping to high-end frequency separation. Now up to version 1.10, Affinity Photo has been steadily improved and evolved since its launch, but Affinity has yet to charge for any upgrade.
Capture One Pro 21
Capture One works both as tethered capture and editing tool for studio photographers with a ‘sessions’ based workflow and as a Lightroom-style image cataloging, searching, and non-destructive editing tool. It works in a single window rather than in Lightroom-style ‘modules’ and has a highly customizable set of ‘tool tabs’. One of the key differences is its layers-based local adjustment system which makes it much easier to see and edit your changes to your work, and this now includes ‘parametric’ linear and radial gradient masks which you can edit later. Capture One’s conversions look smoother and sharper than Lightroom’s, and Phase One’s new co-operative arrangement with Fujifilm means it can produce just about the best Fujifilm processing you’ll see and also recreate Fujifilm’s Film Simulation modes. Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony users can get discounted one-brand versions of the software – but choose the all-cameras version if you work on files from multiple cameras.
ON1 Photo RAW 2022
ON1 Photo RAW is perhaps the single most complete solution of all the programs here, and the 2022 version is the best yet, with new Sky Replacement AI, the integration of ON1 NoNoise AI and more. There’s also an optional ON1 subscription service for Adobe-style image sharing and synchronizing with mobile devices. ON1 Photo RAW 2022 has a built-in hybrid browsing and cataloging module that gives you fuss-free exploring of your image folders but more powerful search tools if you need them. It has an Edit module with Develop, Effects, Portrait, and Local (adjustment) panels, and the Effects module alone has a vast array of filters that can be adjusted, masked, and combined in an infinite array of permutations. It pulls off a particularly amazing trick, incorporating layers, masking, and compositing tools into its fully non-destructive workflow. ON1 Photo RAW might not be as well-known as some rivals, but it’s worth any keen photographer taking a look, especially with its fresh, crisp, and modern new interface.
Luminar AI
Skylum Luminar is a relative newcomer to the photo-editing scene but it’s made a big splash already. Luminar AI offers a complete redesign on earlier versions, focusing heavily on AI effects and ‘templates’, automatically analyzing your images and suggesting some great looks. If you like the idea of an all-in-one photo editor that can both organize your images and edit them with a fully non-destructive workflow, then you’re in the right place! It even supports image layers, masks, and montages. Luminar AI is a very powerful and effective mid-range photo editor which is pioneering some very effective AI editing tools. Its AI Sky Replacement filter is quite exceptional, and its portrait enhancement tools are more subtle and effective than ever you’d expect in an all-around image editor. It can be used as a standalone program, or as a plugin with Photoshop CC, Lightroom Classic, or Apple Photos. It’s just a shame that Skylum has stepped back from the more advanced approach in previous versions and placed so much faith in headline-grabbing AI tools.
• Luminar Neo is on its way, with new tools and a new approach. However, without even a beta version to look at, we’re not going to get too excited about the software we haven’t even seen yet.
Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro is easily one of the most straightforward photo editing software options online for people who want a simple but effective approach to upgrading their images. Though it might not be the most advanced tool in the market at first glance, it comes with everything you need to take your images to the next level without breaking the bank.
Like some other software, it requires a one-time fee, which starts at around $60. For that price, you gain access to dozens of textures, backgrounds, and brushes to choose from. And, app updates add new features all the time.
The newest version of Corel PaintShop Pro also boasts a new Photography Workspace, specifically designed for photographers. This simplified workspace streamlines your edit workflow by offering the best photo editing tools in a simple format. In fact, you can apply most of the tools in the Photography Workspace in just one click.
And, because this workspace is touch-ready, it’s perfect to use for photo editing on a tablet. Corel has even made the tool icons large and distinct so that they’re easy to select on a touch device.
Key Features
- Layers and masks
- Refine brush for selections
- SmartClone technology
- AI enhanced presets
- 360-degree photo editing
- Fantastic user experience
- Graphic design tools and templates
- Photo editing options like blur and fix
- Learning tutorials
- RAW image processing
Like many other photo editing programs, Corel’s PaintShop Pro also offers plugins, brush extensions, color palettes, and even textures that you can import to give yourself even more editing options.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop deserves a special mention in any article about the best editing software. After all, the name “Adobe Photoshop” is pretty synonymous with photo editing by now.
It is one of the most popular photo editing software tools on the market. Photoshop is the primary tool for its legions of fans across the world, including designers, artists, and illustrators.
Unlike Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop is meticulously designed for professionals who need all the advanced features in one package. You name an editing feature, and the chances are Photoshop will have it.
KEY FEATURES:
It is practically impossible to include all the features that Photoshop offers. Here are some key features that would help you to make a better decision:
- Its masking and selection tools are the best in the business
- Incredible cloning and retouching capabilities
- Photoshop is incredibly fast even with larger size images
- It comes with depth map support for HEIF files and 360 editing tools
- Photoshop supports all of the main file formats like JPG, PNG, GIF, as well as raw files
- It uses adjustment layers for non-destructive editing to enhance the appearance of your image
PRICING PLANS:
Initially, you get a 1-week free trial. Adobe Photoshop comes bundled with Creative Cloud storage of 100 GB. Its annual plan costs around $20 per month.
The Creative Cloud Photography plan includes Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom for photo management.
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe needs no introduction in the world of photo editing. In fact, it continues to be a pioneer in releasing cutting-edge photo editing software updates over the years.
Adobe Lightroom is another powerful editing software by Adobe. Ideally, it is perfect for photographers who want a more straightforward yet capable tool to edit their images.
Unlike Photoshop’s complicated and intimidating user interface, both Lightroom Classic and CC offer a more intuitive and user-friendly interface for image editing.
KEY FEATURES:
Some of its incredible features include:
- Sliders are customizable
- Blurring and fixing tools
- It syncs with multiples devices
- Cam and lens-based corrections
- Gradient and brush adjustment tools
- Professional filters along with numerous presets
- Its face detection capability helps in organizing the photographs more efficiently
Canva
Canva is one of the most popular tools to help you design stunning photo templates. Its simplistic user interface has enabled millions to edit graphics without any substantial technical knowledge.
Its user-friendly drag and drop editor can be used to add several layers to your photos. Plus, it allows you to easily add fonts and other graphics to your photos for publishing on social media or your website.
KEY FEATURES:
Canva is a go-to tool for professionals who want to create photo designs for websites, social media, flyers, brochures, and marketing collateral.
Here are some of its key features:
- You can download its mobile app to edit photos and create designs on the go
- It offers more than 8,000 templates, photos, icons, and cards for easy creation of visual content
- Straightening and image cropping
- Offers speech bubble maker
- It is online and can be used on any decent computer
- Get access to its massive library of images and designs
- Stores your photos and designs in the cloud
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate is a newer contender in the photo editing arena, so it hasn’t been on most professionals’ radars until recently. It’s an all-in-one photography software solution that can do everything you need within a simplistic interface.
And, ACDSee’s Mobile Sync feature allows you to send your photos to the editing program directly from your mobile device. The Mobile Sync app even keeps track of which photos you’ve sent to your Photo Studio Ultimate program so you don’t have to wonder which images you still need to transport.
Key Features
ACDSee has some strong noteworthy features worth mentioning over market competitors:
- No Importing – Directly edit source files from your drives and bypass importing the files.
- Facial Recognition – The name says it all. A solid method of organizing and indexing images.
- One time purchase price and monthly options
- Auto align and blend layers
- Parametric color
Conclusion
These days, the world has already blown up into a digitalized one, where editing or enhancing images isn’t pride but a necessity. In fact, the power of digital photography lies in its capability to edit and create unique images from a few clicks. And as so, there is a dramatic shift from conventional to digital cameras – naturally raising the demand for advanced photo-editing software.