A process of editing can really turn a photography fail into a treasured image. There is no stigma or shame in using editing software to really get the most out of the pictures that you have captured. Whether you are an experienced professional shooter or an amateur enthusiast, editing software can be learned and used to enhance performance. 

This blog has recommended the use of editing software in the past as an essential stage in the creation of perfect images. In this article, specific software packages will be identified and described to help you make the right choice. 

Microsoft Photos

Yes, you read this correctly. While it may not suit the needs of the professional cohort of photographers, the integrated microsoft photos program has a valid use case. The software is bundled with Windows 10, so it is highly likely that you already own and can access microsoft photos. This accessibility creates a good option for amateur or enthusiast photographers who simply wish to play around with basic editing elements, or get used to the editing process. Windows Photos also has some surprising capabilities, with acceptable image correction and the support of RAW camera files. 

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is often regarded as the grandfather of digital image editing, having been first released more than 30 years ago. Adobe has created what is the ultimate in image manipulation software, used in both professional and amateur contexts across multiple industries. The software features some powerful elements, with the recent integration of powerful AI editing tools acting as the latest string in the adobe bow. 

The full Photoshop package is offered at a cost of £19.97 a month. 

Adobe Lightroom

Alternatively, Adobe offers a couple of packages that are specifically tailored to the needs of photographers. Lightroom is targeted at amateur photographers who wish to access images online for manipulation. Lightroom Classic is offered as a more professional upgrade, consisting of a more detailed workspace and greater tools. 

‘Lightroom’ is continually updated to bring it more in line with the advanced ‘classic’ counterpart. Adobe recognise that the service should be tailored to the demands of photographers, so elements like watermarking and the importing of custom settings are present. For photographers looking to dip a toe into the professional editing realm, lightroom represents a highly versatile option. 

Lightroom is included in an adobe ‘photography plan’, which includes photoshop and adobe lightroom classic as well at a cost of £9.99 a month. This also includes 20gb of cloud storage. 

DxO Photolab

DxO photolab is positioned as the most advanced image editor on the market. Despite this, the software is highly regarded for its ease of use and friendly interface with the workspace being very customisable. The software is solely focused on the features it carries, with an unrivalled image and lens correction the focal point of the offering. Photolab is also praised for the inclusion of an advanced noise reduction tool in the form of a special technology called ‘DeepPrime’. Photolab is therefore considered a vital tool in the arsenal of any professional photographer wishing to achieve the ultimate editing performance.

DxO does not follow the same subscription model proposed by Adobe, instead offering the package at two ‘one time only’ price levels. These are essential at £115, and elite at £179 . The Elite version is recommended for the most avid of photographers as it includes the full suite of powerful editing tools. 

Gimp

As a final option, the open source program GIMP is proposed. This ‘image manipulator’ has long stood as an established competitor to Photoshop. GIMP is an example of ‘freeware’, this being software that is distributed for free and updated in line with an online community. GIMP stands out for it’s digital photo enhancement tools and it’s great range of compatibility with intricate file formats. The software is ideal for editing on the move, with an ability to be stored on a pendrive and a requirement for less computing power than that of Photoshop. While GIMP contains fewer tools than Photoshop and is largely used for more general editing purposes it shouldn’t be discounted as a stepping stone for amateur or new photography enthusiasts.