How to Choose a Photo Editing Program
When choosing a photo editing application for Mac, look for a clean and well-designed interface with plenty of help and tutorials. Next, there are different types of applications that specialize in different parts of the photo editing process. The application or applications you choose will depend on what you need to do.
For example, some applications excel in workflow – the full sequence of steps from importing to organizing, correcting, and enhancing your photos. They often use a modular approach, meaning you set up a layout for the stage of work you are doing – one mode for importing and organizing, another for editing and correcting, and another for exporting. Additionally, some workflow software allows for organizing images by faces using AI and locations using global positioning data from the images.
In contrast, non-workflow software gives you all the tools at all times, but it does not help you in importing and organizing your photo collection. Photoshop is an example of non-workflow photo editing software.
Best Photo Editing Application for Mac
Our pick for the best photography workflow application is Adobe Lightroom Classic. It allows you to import images from your camera’s memory card and convert raw camera files into viewable images using excellent profile options. It then allows you to pick, reject, color, tag with keywords, and sort images in your collection. This way, you can quickly find a specific image you are looking for. Like the best workflow applications, it lets you search for an image based on equipment (camera and lens) and shot settings (aperture, exposure, and ISO), date, and whether you have edited it.
But Lightroom Classic is also strong in image correction (lighting, color, details, and geometry) and even manipulation, with more Photoshop tools coming in each update. Finally, it does at least three things that the new Lightroom (non-classic) cannot do: it allows you to do tethered shooting, where you connect the camera to the program to see images on the computer while shooting; it allows for installing third-party plugins to enhance editing and exporting functions; and it provides deep printing options.
For non-workflow photo editing software, Adobe Photoshop is the undisputed best application, with an unparalleled suite of modern photo editing tools. It excels in layer editing, allowing the user to overlay multiple levels of images and effects. It is also the best at allowing you to select areas and subjects within your image to determine where to apply effects. You also get plenty of drawing and printing tools in this massive application and benefit from the recent Neural Filters that leverage AI analysis of images for stunning effects.
Best Free Photo Editing Software for Mac
Our best pick for the best free photo editing software for Mac is Apple Photos. It is free in the sense that it comes with the purchase of any Mac computer. In addition to Apple Photos, there are other free photo editing tools available on Mac.
Google Photos is a tool that excels in organizing and backing up your photos online, so you can get up to 15 GB for free. It syncs photos from Android smartphones and iPhones, offers a good set of online editing tools, and even uses AI to suggest edits and creations.
Another excellent free tool is Polarr, which has versions for mobile and desktop, although it offers in-app purchases. Picktorial is another popular choice in the Mac App Store, handling raw camera files.
What
What do Mac photo applications do?
Photo editing software should be able to import and organize your digital images. After that, you need tools for cropping images and adjusting their lighting, color, and details (such as adding sharpness or removing noise, for example). Then comes the luxurious stuff: bokeh, artistic effects, overlays, black and white, coloring, and pixel manipulation – things like removing unwanted objects or creating a selection mask. Finally, you need to output the image to the destination and in the format of your choice.
Some tools perform almost all of these functions, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, CyberLink PhotoDirector, and ON1 Photo RAW. Other products specialize in one or more of these functions. For example, DxO PureRAW and Topaz DeNoise focus on noise reduction, and in the case of DxO ViewPoint, camera and lens distortions.
The most famous photo application of all time, Adobe Photoshop, modifies and manipulates images – corrections, selections, layers, effects, compositing, adding text, and so on. However, it is not for importing and organizing your photo collection, and for that, you will need Lightroom. Serif Affinity Photo is similar in this regard, although it lacks modern Photoshop tools and its polished interface.
Some tools (not included in this summary) focus solely on organizing and importing: Adobe Bridge, Mylio, Photo Mechanic, WidsMob, and the open-source digiKam.
Editing RAW camera files on Mac
If you are using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it’s best to shoot in RAW camera file format instead of JPG files. This way, you can retain more detail during the editing phase, in terms of adjusting lighting and colors. This is important when trying to recover details from a very dark or very light part of the image. For instance, shadow adjustments can reveal details in a dark area, while highlight adjustments can show blue and clouds in a white-out sky.
Editing RAW files also allows you to change the white balance you selected while shooting. For example, if the image looks too warm – leaning towards red, orange, and yellow – adjusting the white balance can make the colors more realistic.
Most high-end software now includes some automatic corrections based on your camera and lens model. This includes corrections for lens geometric distortions (think of warped edges in a wide-angle shot), vignetting (dark edges), and chromatic aberration (color fringing). Make sure the software you choose has profiles for your equipment.
Other tools you want in photo editing software include fine-detail adjustments, like sharpness and noise reduction. Related helpful tools include dehaze, clarity, texture, and micro-contrast (known as Texture in Lightroom).
Best tools for creative photo editing
For creative editing, look for selection tools, blemish repair, masks, filters, and text addition. Photoshop now has tools that allow you to change facial shape, and CyberLink PhotoDirector has tools to alter body shape. Some software supports LUTs (also known as color lookup tables); these are filters that change the mood by altering color. The film industry has long used LUTs to give a shot a sunny effect or to simulate night even if it was shot during the day.
OptionsMac Output Options
Finally, you want output options. All the software in this summary allows you to output from raw camera formats to JPG, which is universally accepted, especially for online use. Some allow you to create enhanced images for social media and upload them directly to online services. Many online galleries support your work, which you can upload from within the app.
If you need printing, look for software that supports soft proofing, which shows whether all the colors in your image can be printed. Apps like Apple Photos, Google Photos, and Lightroom Classic offer excellent book layout options and allow you to order custom photo books directly.
Make Sure You Have the Right Camera!
If you are a beginner in digital photography, you will also want to make sure you have some good camera gear. Smartphones have better and better cameras these days, but they still can’t compete with a dedicated camera. For help in choosing one, read our roundups of the best digital cameras and the best camera phones.
Once you have your gear, be sure to read our quick photography tips for beginners and basic photography tips and beyond. After that, you will be ready to capture great photos that you can enhance with the software listed here.
Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/photo-editing/18542/the-best-photo-editing-software-for-macs-in-2023
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