Photo editing has changed a lot in the last couple years. The editing tools built into Photos on an iPhone or Mac, and in Google Photos, are much more powerful, and simpler, than they used to be. The addition of artificial intelligence in photo editing has become quite useful as well.
But, if your needs extend beyond these tools, read on for a selection of options for more advanced photo editing.
If you’re interested in more information, and options, then this article, Best photo editor of 2024, from Tech Radar is good starting point! Or, of you’re just interested in photo editing apps for your phone, then this article from Tom’s Guide, Best photo editing apps in 2024, is the place to start!
Mobile app, starts at: Free
Web version, starts at: $9.99/month
One of the standout features of Adobe Lightroom is its ability for image management. Lightroom allows its user to organize and manage large quantities of pictures. Lightroom offers standard photo editing tools such as adjusting brightness, contrast, color enhancement etc., but additionally you can use advanced color mixing, masks, pre-sets (advanced filters), blemish and object removal, and more, for even greater control over your final image. There is a free app for use on phones, which can be upgraded to access more advanced tools. Lightroom is the Gold Standard in photo editing, but can be overwhelming for new users.
We’re often asked what the difference is between Lightroom and Photoshop, so here’s what Adobe have to say:
“Photoshop specializes in image manipulation, creation, and enhancement, while Lightroom focuses on editing, organizing, and processing photos.”
Starts at: $18.49 for iPad, $34.99 for desktop (one-time payment)
Affinity is compatible across all platforms, so you can work with it on all your devices, whenever inspiration hits. Some of the tools available in Affinity include dodge, burn, clone, patch, and blemish removal tools, and many different sizes and styles of brushes. Users of Lightroom will see many similarities in the Affinity interface!
Mobile/Web, starts at: Free
Fotor is an online photo editor that offers everything you need to enhance and edit photos. The free version has all the basic editing tools that you would expect; adjusting brightness, contrast, color enhancement etc. and the pro version ($3.33 a month, billed annually) adds tools such as background and object removal.
Free
Gimp has been around for a long time, and is a favorite for those looking for professional tools without a premium cost. Gimp has a comprehensive set of tools like those found in rivals like Photoshop, including layers, masks, curves, levels, clone stamp and healing tools, among others. If you've used Photoshop, you'll have no issue, however this is a learning curve! But, as this is an open-source too, there is a huge amount of community support available.
Mobile/Web, starts at: Free
A fun and consumer oriented editor, it’s great for adding effects! It includes lots of dramatic filters, alongside more subtle ones, and the brush tools for adding effects like bokeh are great! The paid version includes tools like background remover and extra filters.
If you’re interested in also creating graphics incorporating your photos (flyers, cards etc.) then the following options are a good bet, although their photo editing is more basic than that in the previous options!
Web/App, starts at: Free
Canva is a very user friendly interface for creating graphics. Canva offers a wealth of graphics, images and text that you can easily drag and drop into your designs. You can upload and use your own photos, and edit those with basic brightness, contrast, color enhancement tools, and choose from a selection of filters and effects. You can also edit videos. The pro version introduces more AI tools such as background removal, magic eraser, magic expand, and more.
Web/App, starts at: $7.99 a month
Like Canva, PicMonkey allows you to create designs with your images, and edit your photos as you go. It’s photo editing tools are more advanced than Canva’s, but Canva is better for creating graphics. Again, advanced photo editing tools such as the background remover require a higher level subscription.
As always, if you’d like to learn more, give us [www.sdmfoundation.org] a call and make an appointment!
