Photographic editing is not just about technical parameters. It's something from the realm of art, where you don't just improve the picture, but make the viewer see new details. Let's dive into the world of photographic editors and try to choose the best possible app.

In this article, we`ll explain how to choose the right Editing software for your images.

There are many Photo editors available, each offering many features. Although many offer similar editing tools, there are a few key features to consider when choosing the right software for you. The first photo editing software we recommend is Luminar Neo. It has full RAW support and many AI editing tools. This means that you get detailed control over each effect as well as the ability to stack effects and, in our opinion, gives much better results.

So, let's look at the criteria for selection.

RAW support

If you're shooting in RAW format, you need to make sure that the software you buy supports RAW in general, and also supports the RAW files that your camera specifically creates.

The more expensive and well-known photo editing tools all support RAW editing, which gives you more control over your changes. They also regularly update the cameras they support.

However, not all photo editors support RAW editing, and even if they do, compatibility with your camera is not always guaranteed, especially if you have a less common model or type of camera. So always check first before you buy - there should be a list of compatible cameras somewhere on the software website.

Photo management

While all photo editing software will provide tools for editing images, far fewer programs also offer a photo management tool.

The photo management tool is what a photographer uses to manage their photos. It is like a virtual library of images that can be sorted and organized in various ways. It makes finding and working with images much easier and simplifies the photo-taking process.

Support for plugins / presets

Some of the most popular photo editing products have a wide range of third-party software or presets that work with them.

For example, some photographers sell presets for Adobe Lightroom, which allows other photographers to achieve a similar look on their images without spending a lot of time on various settings and sliders trying to recreate them.

Plugins are a similar story - they add extra features to the software that can be very useful. For example, there's a powerful plug-in for Lightroom called LRTimelapse, which helps photographers create slow-motion videos from their photos.

Advanced photo editing features such as layer support

More advanced photo editing tools will sometimes have more advanced features that more experienced photographers may find useful.

For example, some editing tools support multiple image layers. This allows you to upload multiple images as layers on top of each other and work on them together. So, for example, you can load different exposures of the same image on top of each other and mix them up to create a more pleasing exposure.

Or you can take multiple shots of a busy scene and then, using layers, you can edit the people in the scene.

Using layers is a more advanced photography technique and is more about photo manipulation than photo editing, but it can be useful in certain situations, so if it's going to be important to you, you should make sure you have software that supports it. Other more advanced features include things like HDR merging, focus overlay, and tethered capture.

Convenient and easy photo editing apps

Each editing software must be multifunctional for the most effective work. They are very different for the huge variety of tasks on many devices. We can describe several of them.

1. Luminar Neo

We mentioned it earlier, but we'll say it again. Luminar Neo is a great app for beginners and professionals. Its AI tools allow you to work wonders.

Platforms:

• Windows;
• iOS

2. GIMP

GIMP is considered to be one of the best free photo editors available on the market. The software includes a wide range of tools, from basic actions to professional features. Beginners will have great fun with editing tools, cropping, color adjustment, and the ability to automatically enhance images.

Experienced users will find interesting functionality, too, with content-aware resizing, facial features, animated GIFs, masks, layers, curves, and customizable brushes.

GIMP is open-source software, and there is a large, active community behind it. This means that the platform is continually updated and improved, while users can continue to use it for free.

Platforms:

• desktop;
• mobile devices (iOS, Android).

3. Pixlr Editor

Suitable for: professional-level online editing.

It is considered by many to be the best free online photo editor. The interface of the program is very similar to Adobe Editor, which is why people consider Pixlr Editor the best online version of Photoshop - yes, even with the existence of Photoshop Express itself.

The main drawback of Pixlr Editor is that it requires a Flash plug-in, which Adobe plans to stop supporting soon. To overcome this hurdle, it developed a paid HTML-based version that includes advanced editing tools, support for PSD templates, premium fonts and stock images, layers, and more.

Platforms:

• desktop;
• mobile (iOS, Android).

4. InPixio

InPixio consists of six different programs focusing on specific photo editing tools:

• Photo Editor - for basic image correction
• Photo Maximizer - to enlarge and get high-resolution photos
• Photo Focus to create sharp images
• Photo Eraser to remove unwanted object
• Photo Cutter for changing the background
• Photo Clip - to create photo montages.

Essentially, InPixio offers a handy program that allows people with minimal photo editing skills to create beautiful images to share on social networks or with their loved ones.

Platforms:

• Windows;
• iOS.

Conclusion

As you can see there are plenty of programs for different capabilities and purposes which is the best it`s your call. But when you decide to edit images be sure that it won`t be difficult with advanced and improved editing software. Thank you for observing, have a nice day!