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For a long time, Photoshop was considered the definitive professional photo editor, and still is by many. But today, when it's compared to other software, its specialist focus and limitations become apparent.
Photoshop may still be the best for in-depth photo editing, manipulation and compositing, but it's really designed for working in-depth on individual images. Lightroom, for example, is better suited to busy photography, where it can quickly display, organise and enhance whole batches of images. While Photoshop might be the 'best' in some respects, other programs offer tools, presets and inspiration that Photoshop doesn't. The fact that both Photoshop and Lightroom are included in the Photography Plan makes them a great double-act, but that doesn't make Adobe the best for everyone.
Subscriptions are unpopular with some, but that's the way the world is heading. A few of the programs in our list are available as single-fee licenses, but more and more publishers favour subscriptions Capture One looks to be choosing them in 2023, and Skylum has practically finished the transition.
What to look for in a photo editor
Everyone has different editing needs. Here are some things to consider...
1 Organising tools
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2023 من Digital Camera UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2023 من Digital Camera UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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Nikon Z50 II
Brand's original DX-format Z-series mirrorless gets turbocharged with Expeed 7 processor
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Eric Meola
The American photographer's latest book is called Bending Light: The Moods of Color. Niall Hampton finds out more
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Lumix FZ82D
Panasonic shows that bridge cameras aren't dead yet
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Art Wolfe & Federico Veronesi
Two long-term contributors to Remembering Wildlife - and members of the competition judging panel - reflect on the series reaching its 10-year milestone
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Scanning ahead...
AI is no substitute for experiencing the world and telling compelling stories, says Jon Devo
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10 Years of Remembering Wildlife
ENTER TODAY! Submit your images of pangolins in the wild - or any of the previous nine species to have featured in the Remembering Wildlife series - for the chance to be featured in the next book
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Enhance your wildlife subjects
Using simple techniques in Photoshop, James Abbott shows how to make wildlife subjects stand out from their background
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Edit fast with slider pairs
For effective editing results, combine pairs of sliders in Lightroom, says Sean McCormack
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Reader gallery
Digital Camera readers show how they've been getting creative, submitting images across a range of genres
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Hotshots
Our showcase of the winning entries from the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2024