Amend and enhance your pictures.
At one time, photographic enhancement and manipulation was solely the purview of qualified professionals. The laborious and time-consuming task of amending a photographic image was a skill set only a few possessed.
But now, in the world of advanced and sophisticated software technology that is easily accessible for home use, that skill is no longer out of reach to the common folk, who have embraced it with aplomb, judging by the fact that the marketplace for such was valued in 2022 at $939 million.
The Rise of Photo Editing Software
The use of photographic editing has cut across generations, cultures, and socio-economic groups as more and more people embrace the technology, not coincidentally parallel to the rise in social media usage. In fact, 45% of daily social media users from so-called Gen Z claimed to feel pressure about how they both appeared and were perceived on social media, directly leading to them using photo editing apps to ‘touch up’ their online appearance.
One could simply put that down to youthful insecurities but it also applies to a surprising number of older social media users too. But there has also been a rise of a more positive kind, and that is the increasing prevalence of e-gift cards; cards sent online to mark and/or celebrate a milestone or event, and these virtual cards have proved a boon to photo editing software use as people attach varying kinds of photos and pictures to said cards.
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What Photo Edit Software Is Best For Me?
As such, the photo editing software market has boomed in recent years with many variations on the market to suit any and all needs and requirements. If you’re looking to purchase a photo editing software package but don’t know where to start, this article will list what we consider to be the 5 best photo editing software available today.
Let’s go…
1. Adobe Photoshop
Undoubtedly the most popular and widely-used photo editing software, Photoshop is especially useful for novices with its user-friendly interface. It may be a bit simple for advanced users and seasoned professionals, but it is still a highly effective tool whatever your competence level.
Adobe has just unveiled its 2024 update to the package, which is free, with some cool new features such as Sensei AI that allows you to to change background details on an image with a single click, and also the Photo Reels function which will actually animate still images alongside colorizing, background removal, and dehazing capabilities.
2. Skylum Luminar Neo
Recognized by knowledgeable tech-heads as the best software for photographic visual effect enhancements.
Luminar has developed into an all-purpose modular program with an ever-expanding assortment of effects tools. Often touted as “the professional’s choice” when it comes to effects-driven photo editing, Luminar boasts up to 5 filters – Essential, Creative, Portrait, Professional, and Extensions – designed to give as wide a latitude as possible for individual creative decisions. It also pioneered the AI-based Sky Replacement software, which is still the best against rivals.
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3. PhotoDirector Essential
Some high-end photo editing software require purchase and subscriptions but the very best free program is PhotoDirector Essential… and that title is not an inaccurate description. PhotoDirector has it where it really counts and stands tall among competitors.
Backed with powerful AI tools and accessible for both beginners and experts, this bad boy is the gold standard for such tasks as object removal, vintage photo restoration, panoramic shots, and even a content-aware fill function that allows you to fill in a photo’s empty space after a removal.
4. MyEdit
Both a free program and online-based through their website, MyEdit is a premier photo editing software that is very easy to use and produces excellent results fast.
A remarkably user-friendly interface guides you into the program with a wide variety of useful tools to enhance any photo to professional standards. Boasting a powerful AI-backed core, MyEdit performs exemplarily compared to rivals, with one of its signature features being the ‘cartoonizer’ function, meaning you can convert any image into a range of different and fun drawing styles.
5. PhotoScape X
In terms of versatility, multi-tasking, and usability, there’s few as good as PhotoScape X which combines accessibility with efficiency quite effortlessly.
Sometimes you need to edit multiple images at once, and this sometimes can create clutter… not so with this baby! PhotoScape leads the way in batch editing, with Resize, Rename, and Format Change functions to name but a few. But not satisfied with being a mere photo editor, this polymath among programs also handles photo viewer, GIF creator, screen capture, and RAW image converter abilities.
Conclusion
Not all photo editing suites are created equal so we hope this article guides you to the right one for your requirements.