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Modern photography is always about getting the perfect shot. However, it is not always possible to shoot a perfect photo because of various lighting conditions, camera settings, and weather conditions. Here come photo adjustment tools. The concept of image adjustment is more than filtering and cropping. It involves increasing the contrast of the picture, retaining the true colors, and making the subject stand out.
In today’s modern world, image editing software is a must-have for both professional photographers and casual users who want to improve their photos. In this blog post, we will review the best photo adjustment tools available for Windows, that will help you take your image editing game to the next level.
Video Tutorial:
What Is a Photo Adjustment Tool?
Whether you are facing an issue with color balance or the brightness of your image, photo adjustment tools come in different forms that can cater to all your needs. It is a software program built to edit images, primarily used to make minor or major changes to pictures. Photo adjustment tools come packed with features and functionalities such as cropping, adjusting the color, contrast, brightness, saturation, etc.
Top 7 Best Photo Adjustment Tools for Windows:
1. Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop is the go-to photo adjustment tool for most professional photographers, entrepreneurs, and designers. However, the full version of Adobe Photoshop comes with a high price point which makes it not the best image adjustment software for casual users. Adobe Photoshop Elements is the perfect solution for those who are looking for photo adjustment software on a tight budget. It is a lighter version of Adobe Photoshop and comes with some great features and functionalities.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Less expensive
- Great support for beginners
Cons:
- Limited features compared to full version Photoshop
- Regular updates are not as frequent as expected
2. Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro is another powerful photo adjustment tool that provides numerous photo editing and management features. It was once a competitor to Adobe Photoshop, but now it offers a user-friendly and affordable option for both beginners and advanced photo editors. With Corel PaintShop Pro, users can easily adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, etc.
Pros:
- Powerful photo editing features
- Good value for money
- Features for work with 360-degree photos
Cons:
- No subscription package
- It might take some time to learn some more advanced features
3. GIMP
GIMP is an open-source photo software for Windows that comes with a comprehensive suite of editing tools and functionalities. It is a cost-effective option for those who are looking for photo adjustment software that offers a range of features. GIMP features a customizable interface and users can add new features through the use of plugins which can be downloaded on their website.
Pros:
- Free and open source software
- User friendly
- No restrictions regarding the use of features of the software.
Cons:
- Some features can be hard to find
- Limited features compared to paid photo editors
4. Affinity Photo
Affinity Photo is a high-performance, fully-featured, and professional-grade photo adjustment software for Windows. It is the perfect solution for graphic designers, photographers, and creative professionals who demand exceptional results. Affinity Photo offers numerous features and tools for editing photos, including raw processing, retouching, 360 image recognition and much more.
Pros:
- Advanced photo editing features
- Quality output of edited photos
- High-quality RAW editing support
Cons:
- Does not offer cataloging and management features
- No mobile version
5. Photolemur
Photolemur is an automated photo editing software that makes your photos look great. With Photolemur, users can edit their photos with AI technology with just one click. The software is specially designed for beginners who want to edit their photo with minimal effort.
Pros:
- AI technology for easy editing
- One-click editing
- Good for those with no experience in photo editing
Cons:
- Less control over editing compared to other photo editing software
- Free version comes with heavy restriction
6. Skylum Luminar
Skylum Luminar is a popular photo adjustment software with excellent ratings among users. It is suitable both for beginners and professional users because of its intuitive interface that is very easy to use. Skylum Luminar offers numerous features and functionalities for every photo editing need.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Powerful photo editing features
- Generous range of filter options
Cons:
- Expensive version compared to some other photo editors in the market
- No mobile version
7. DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is a feature-packed software specialized in image quality enhancement. The software includes noise reduction technology, automatic optical corrections, and overall color adjustment, all in one place. DxO PhotoLab features smart light, detail, and color adjustments which offer the best quality image possible.
Pros:
- Smart and automatic adjustments for better quality
- RAW processing
- Intuitive photo customization, even for advanced users
Cons:
- No free trial version
- Photoshop plug-ins integration is limited
Comparison of Each Software
| Name of software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-Of-Use | Value For Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop Elements | 30-day free trial | $99.99 | Easy to use | Good value |
| Corel PaintShop Pro | 30-day free trial | $79.99 | Easy to use for beginners | Good value |
| GIMP | None | Free | Easy to use | Free software |
| Affinity Photo | 10-day free trial | $49.99 | Professional level interface | Great value-for-money |
| Photolemur | Limited features with free version | $35.98/year for the Basic version | Easy and fast editing, no prior knowledge needed | Low cost |
| Skylum Luminar | 7-day free trial | $79.00 | Very user friendly | Good value |
| DxO PhotoLab | They do have a 30-day trial but you need to give them your email to actually use it | $129.00 | Advanced features | Good value for features provided |
Our Thoughts on These Photo Adjustment Tools:
Photo adjustment tools vary widely depending on its price, the user’s skill level, and the features. We found Adobe Photoshop Elements to be the best photo adjustment tool for its value for money and customizable editing options. However, there are other options if you’re looking for something more affordable or with specific features like automated editing and cloud storage.
GIMP is the go-to tool when it comes to free photo editing software with an open-source program that can deliver quality editing. Photolemur offers a more hands-off approach using AI technology to make photo editing easier for the average user. Skylum Luminar offers a good middle-ground for users who are looking for advanced editing features at a relatively low price.
FAQs About Photo Adjustment Tools:
Q1: How long does it take to learn how to use photo editors?
A: The duration it takes to learn photo editors depends on the editor you are using and your level of experience. Entry-level photo editors such as Adobe Photoshop Element has a relatively user-friendly interface, so it may take only a few hours to get the hang of it. Complex photo editors like Adobe Photoshop CC can take a few weeks to master.
Q2: Can I edit RAW files with photo adjustment tools?
A: Most photo adjustment tools have the functionalities to edit RAW files. RAW files are larger and contain more data compared to other image formats like JPEG. More data means a wider range of possibilities for editing, which makes it an excellent format for professionals.
Q3: What is the difference between photo adjustment tools and photo management software?
A: Photo adjustment tools focus on the editing aspect of an image, and the effect it will have on the quality of the photo. On the other hand, photo management software focuses on organizing, categorizing, searching, and grouping photos in folders. It often includes some form of image editing but not the same level of features as photo adjustment tools.
Q4: Can photo adjustment tools edit multiple photos at once?
A: Yes. Most photo adjustment tools contain batch editing features. This feature is very useful when you want to apply the same changes or effects to multiple photos without editing one photo at a time.
Q5: Does photo adjustment tool software require a high-quality computer?
A: Not necessarily. While it is preferred to have a better quality computer, most basic photo editors can run on mid-range computers. However, complex photo editors and software like Photoshop CC may require high-performance hardware, a more capable graphics card, and faster storage solutions like an SSD drive.
In Conclusion
Editing photos using photo adjustment tools is an essential part of the modern world of photography. It allows for significant enhancements to photographs and offers new possibilities that were once impossible. When it comes to choosing the best photo adjustment tool for your needs, you should consider your budget, skill level, and the level of editing you want to achieve. We hope that our review of the best photo adjustment tools for Windows will help you find the perfect tool for all your photo editing needs.