How do I start photo editing?

• Posted on 12 April 2024
• 0

Editing photos can provide great results. Through photo editing, a photo can be completely corrected and adapted to someone's wishes and needs. For example, a photo can be color corrected, straightened and parts can be added or removed. Furthermore, photo editing can be useful for various purposes, this can be work or hobby related.

Why edit photos?

Editing photos can ensure a beautiful end result. People often choose to edit their photos because they are not completely satisfied with the current state of the photo. Even photographers don't take the perfect photo in one go. So it often happens that there are some photos that still need to be improved. People may have different reasons for improving the photo:

• The lighting in the photo is not good.
• Some elements in the photo need to be removed or added.
• The contrast needs to be changed.
• The photo needs to be cropped

These are just a few examples, but there are of course many more. This varies from person to person, as everyone has their own reasons. For example, photo editing can also be used for commercial purposes. Think about making an image as attractive as possible. Some things are very difficult to photograph, so photo editing plays a major role in this. Different elements can result in the total picture, which is not possible without photo editing. By photo editing we mean not only adjusting a photo, but also creating a completely new image.

What is possible with photo editing?

Some editing programs are very advanced, offering the user many options. What is possible with photo editing actually depends on the software. There are also programs that are less advanced, which means that the options remain limited. However, every program does have the basic components where it is possible to adjust the most common things. The basic components consist of:

• Straighten photos
• Edit lighting
• Change contrast
• Adjust white balance
• Make color corrections
• Crop
• Sharpen
• Remove distracting elements

It is also important to mention that each editing program has its own tools for this. These tools should make it easier for the user to get started editing photos. For example, there is a drag tool, which makes it possible to move elements, a selection tool to select certain elements, a text tool to add text, a shape tool to add certain shapes and much more. Some software is even so advanced that everything is possible to adjust or add. Thanks to increasing technology, it is also becoming easier to carry out these activities. For example, some software uses AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Implementation of AI

With the addition of AI, photo editing has been taken to the next level. AI makes it even easier for users to make adjustments, as it is now possible to have AI generate elements. Users only have to make a selection themselves where AI should make adjustments. Then users can type in the selected area what they want implemented. AI, as it were, reads the image and then adds what the user wants and blends it with the image. Although AI does this quite well, the end result must be taken into account. AI generates elements itself and applies them in its own way. It is therefore important for the user to provide input as specifically as possible for the best end result. For example, if the user wishes to add a mannequin, the user has no choice regarding, for example, size, color, location or position.

What should I take into account and where do I start?

Everyone has their own wants and needs when editing photos. Of course, it also depends on your prior knowledge and budget. It is advisable to choose a software that best suits your wishes and needs. But often, paid editing programs are generally easier to use compared to a free editing program. Also look carefully at the system requirements of each software, so that you can be sure that you can use the program without any problems. If you have no idea where to start, it is best to try out a number of editing programs. Everyone has their own personal preferences and by trying out programs you can conclude what you like and don't like. Paid editing programs often also have a trial period, so you can try out the program temporarily at no cost. When you start the program for the first time, you will often receive a short introduction to the various tools that are offered. If you still can't figure it out, there are also numerous tutorials online.

It is also good to know that you should pay attention to which images you use from the internet. Many images from the Internet are copyrighted or otherwise protected. You may not use, edit or copy these images without permission.

What photo editing software are there?

There are many different types of photo editing programs, all of which differ from each other. Below are the most well-known editing programs and their advantages are described.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the most famous photo editing program and makes complex photo manipulation very easy. The software is the most commonly used tool for digital art and especially when editing raster images. Photoshop can edit or composite raster images in multiple layers. Photoshop also supports masks, alpha compositing, and various color models. Photoshop uses its own file formats, called PSD and PSB, which allow it to support these features. However, Photoshop does cost money and it is only possible to take out a subscription.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is intended for organizing and processing images. Lightroom allows you to import, save, view, organize, tag, edit and share large numbers of digital images. The features that Lightroom has are white balance, presence, tone, tone curve, HSL, color correction, detail, lens corrections and calibration manipulation, transform, spot removal, red-eye correction, graduated filters and radial filters. Lightroom is an editing software that keeps the original image separate from any edits made in the program. This saves the edited image as a new file. Since Adobe works with the ''Creative Cloud'' concept, Lightroom also uses a subscription model.

Affinity Photo 2

Affinity Photo, like PhotoShop, is a raster graphics editor and is seen as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop. For example, the PSD and PSB file formats are compatible for Affinity Photo. Working in the software is always live, with panning and zooming at 60 frames per second. The software also supports unlimited layers and a dedicated workspace for developing RAW photos. The great thing about Affinity Photo is also the fact that it is a perpetual license. This means that the software only needs to be purchased once instead of monthly costs.

Corel Paint Shop Pro

Paintshop Pro comes with many different AI-enabled features and customizable tools. With its easy-to-use user interface, users should have no trouble adjusting, selecting, and correcting photos. Furthermore, users can also create masks to hide or show parts of a layer. It is also possible to add special effects that are useful when editing photos.

With its AI-powered tools, PaintShop Pro makes it possible to enlarge an image without distortion or noise. It is even possible to replace a background completely. Users can also organize projects in 's managed workspace. This software is also perpetual, so you only need to purchase the product once.

Skylum Luminaire Neo

Luminaire Neo is a universal photo editing software application. The software is considered a tool for amateur and professional photographers. Because Luminaire Neo uses a modular engine, the software can distribute the load evenly for faster image processing. This allows photographers to apply many different types of edits to an image without sacrificing performance. The software also has AI-powered features, allowing you to apply a range of fixed image adjustments with just a few clicks. Furthermore, the software can also be integrated with Adobe programs. The great thing about Skylum Luminaire Neo is that the user has the option to purchase the software once or purchase it for a monthly fee.

Below is a clear table with all standard prices of the photo editing software mentioned above.

Free alternatives

There are also free alternatives for editing photos. The only disadvantage is that the number of functions is quite limited. For example, a lot of functions are not available that are accessible with the software that comes with a price tag. Below are the two best free software for beginners.

Canva

Canva is a free easy-to-use editing software, where you can choose between different templates or create something yourself. Canva is accessible via the website, so you don't need to download any software to your computer. However, the number of functions with the free version of Canva is very limited, so you can only make basic adjustments. The choice of templates is also very limited, as a distinction is made between the free and the premium version.

Photopea

Photopea is also a free editing software that you don't need to download either. Everything can be done from the browser and Photopea has implemented many elements and features of Photoshop. As a result, you see many similarities, but many functions are missing in Photopea. Still, editing photos in Photopea can result in a good result. Because there are many similarities with Photoshop, it also works largely the same. So if you don't know how to do something, you can look up a Photoshop tutorial and that will help you a lot.

Buy photo editing software

Choosing a photo editing program is not only the most difficult, but also the most important choice you have to make when you want to get started. It is important that you choose a photo editing program that you can use well. Each software works slightly differently and it is therefore good that you focus on a photo editing program, such as Corel Paintshop Pro, where you can express all your creativity. Digi License is your trusted partner for all your software needs. Therefore, consider purchasing licenses from Digi License to save time and money! Hopefully this article has helped you take the first steps to get started with photo editing. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us !