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If you want to perfect your digital photography skills, you will have to edit photos using a software designed for this purpose. You can purchase powerful software for this task, but choosing the best one for your needs is crucial. Many factors, like the features, price, and ease of use, can affect your choice. No worries, we’ve got you covered! We have created a list of the seven best digital photo editors for Mac that can transform your images like a pro.
Video Tutorial:
What is a Digital Photo Editor?
A digital photo editor is a software that allows you to manipulate digital images taken from cameras, smartphones, etc. It provides various features like cropping, resizing, color correction, brightness and contrast adjustment, filter application, adding special effects, and much more. You can create your personal touch and style with the use of these editors.
Top 7 Digital Photo Editors for Mac
1. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is one of the most prominent photo editing software in the market. It is an industry-standard for photo retouching and manipulation. It is packed with excellent features that include color correction, special effects, filters, and many more. Photoshop will give you full control and flexibility, allowing you to make professional-grade edits to your images. Adobe Photoshop is available for $20.99/month.
Pros:
Extensive editing tools and features, extremely flexible, with a massive number of possibilities for image editing and effect creation.
Cons:
Expensive, can be difficult to learn and utilize for many users.
2. Luminar
Luminar is a popular and user-friendly photo editing software making its way up to being one of the powerful photo editors in the market. It offers an AI-powered algorithm that helps you to produce fast and easy editing capability, producing professional-looking photos. It’s effortless to use, making it an excellent option for amateur and professional photographers alike. You can purchase a Luminar 4 for just $89.00.
Pros:
Easy to learn, excellent AI-powered algorithm, great Photo Organizing feature.
Cons:
It may lack tools to satisfy more seasoned photographers.
3. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is another incredibly powerful and versatile photo editor, a common favorite of photographers and designers. The software has a professional-grade algorithm built into it, providing an extensive range of features to make any type of editing. Affinity Photo features for noise reduction, photo merging, and HDR creation, making it a go-to for designers. The software can be purchased from the Mac App Store or the Serif website for only $54.99.
Pros:
Incredibly powerful, with unique features like non-destructive editing and 32-bit processing.
Cons:
Some users may find it a bit overwhelming.
4. Pixelmator Pro
Pixelmator Pro is the upgraded version of the original Pixelmator image editor. It boasts a sleek, intuitive design and AI-powered editing tools that make it perfect for beginner users. The software’s interface resembles that of Apple’s native apps, making it look like a natural part of your Mac. Pixelmator Pro is available for purchase on the App Store for $39.99.
Pros:
Easy to learn, affordable, and an interface made for Macs.
Cons:
Users may want some more advanced editing feature.
5. Capture One Pro
Captured One Pro is a photo editor with a focus on the highest quality image output. This software is known for its fast and efficient control of color management and is widely recognized by professional photographers. It is designed to work with RAW image files and provides superior color accuracy along with advanced noise reduction. Capture One Pro can be purchased for $20.00/monthly or 299.00 for a lifetime purchase.
Pros:
The best software for high-quality resolution images, intuitive interface, comprehensive color management
Cons:
Expensive compared to other photo editors.
6. ON1 Photo RAW
ON1 Photo RAW is an all-in-one photo editor, professional-grade editing for Mac, Windows, and iOS devices. It is packed with features for cropping, retouching, layer controls, and much more. It has an intuitive interface that simplifies the photo-editing process. ON1 Photo RAW can be purchased for $79.99.
Pros:
Full-featured photo editor that can do anything its competitors can, and more, with advanced features that are on par with software like Photoshop.
Cons:
The software is known to be a bit buggy.
7. GIMP
GIMP may not be as well-known, but it’s a powerful free and open-source photo editor that’s available for Mac. It has a range of features that enable you to retouch and manipulate images. Although it lacks some of the more advanced tools in photo editing software, GIMP is a solid entry-level option for users who don’t require exceptionally advanced features.
Pros:
It is free, has an active community, and is open-source, offering excellent support.
Cons:
Fewer features than commercial software, some may find the interface unattractive.
Our Thoughts on the Best Digital Photo Editors for Mac
After researching and analyzing different types of photo editors, it is safe to say that the adobe Photoshop is still the industry standard for professional photography and design. However, it is not necessarily the best solution for everyone. Luminar, Affinity Photo, and Pixelmator Pro are more budget-friendly and user-friendly options. Capture One Pro is a solid choice for professionals needing a higher quality of output. ON1 Photo RAW is a great all-round photo editor, and GIMP is a good option for budget-conscious consumers. It all boils down to your personal preferences and needs.
5 FAQs about Digital Photo Editors
Q1: How important is it to use a great digital photo editor?
A: Using a great digital photo editor is fundamental if you want to take your digital photography to the next level. Editing software allows you to transform your images and take them to their utmost potential. It’s also an essential tool for photographers and designers to produce quality work.
Q2: Does the best digital photo editor need to be expensive?
A: Not at all! Many free editors offer an excellent range of features to produce quality work. However, purchasing editing software provides more advanced features and a greater range of tools than free software. It depends on your specific requirement and preference.
Q3: Can digital photo editors be used on a smartphone?
A: Yes! Some photo editors can be found in app stores and can be applied to photos taken on your smartphone.
Q4: How long does it take to learn how to use a digital photo editor?
A: It typically takes a bit of time to familiarize yourself with a photo editor’s tools and features. However, some are more straightforward and less intimidating than others, allowing you to get the hang of it quickly.
Q5: Which is better, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator?
A: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have different functionalities, with Photoshop being better for photo editing while Illustrator excels for graphic design and vector images.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide has helped you with your search for the best digital photo editors for your Mac. We’ve outlined different software depending on your preference and budget. While Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard, other options have unique features like non-destructive editing or AI-powered tools worth considering. Ultimately the decision is yours to make, but we encourage you to give each editor a try until you find the perfect one that fits your style and requirements.