The best image editing software: A comparison
Professional image editing is a time-consuming exercise for every image content producer. Whether photographers, bloggers, real estate agents or content and social media agencies: many service providers deal with professional image editing on a daily basis. In times of high-quality smartphone cameras, it doesn’t take professional skills to take a beautiful photo – but high-quality image editing still requires powerful image editing software.
Which software is used by professionals? We show you the best image editing software.
Market leader Adobe Photoshop CC
If you want to do professional image editing, you can’t get around high-quality editing software. Retouching, layers, text editor, image import, filters and management: an excellent image editing program software must have many functions and features in order to last as a helping software. With numerous functionalities and features, Adobe Photoshop CC is one of the most popular image editing software on the market. Most, if not all professional photographers and agencies use it basically use it.
- However, with the wide range of functions and features, Adobe may be a daunting software for beginners and may present the following disadvantages.
- Beginners may find the interface overwhelming at first and may lose an overview of all features and functions. quickly lose the overview with numerous control panels.
- The complicated user interface causes many unintentional errors.
In addition to the above, Adobe Photoshop CC does not offer flexible purchasing options. The software is only available on a subscription basis. There is a free trial version available. However, this is only valid for a few days and with limited access to some functions.
Free alternatives to Photoshop
If Photoshop is too expensive for you to purchase, but you still wish to do professional image editing, you can use open-source platforms like GIMP.
GIMP
GIMP is a popular alternative, especially among beginners. The open-source platform requires some patience and willingness to learn, especially at the beginning. GIMP provides a number of editing tools, that allow for simple retouching of images as well as complicated image montages. Those who need an editor for RAW files will find what they are looking for with the free additional tool “RAW Therapee”.
Advantages:
- Freely expandable
- Numerous filters and tools
- Wide format support
Disadvantage:
- One disadvantage of GIMP is that the tool lacks 16-bit per channel colour support
- It is less recognized by the community and changes are more slowly implemented.
Photopea
Photopea, as an alternative to Photoshop, requires no software installation, as it is a web-based application. The features and functions are similar to Photoshop and are user friendly. The free version offers no disadvantages in terms of content – but contain annoying pop advertisement and banner, which are a nuisance, especially on smaller displays. Those who want to remove the advertising banners can purchase the Pro version.
Advantages:
- No installation
- Features and functions are similar to Photoshop
- Many features and functions are available
Disadvantages:
- Pop up advertisements and banners may cause a nuisance for users
- Image uploads are mandatory
Photoshop Classic
This Photoshop version is 15 years old, but it is nonetheless one of the most popular alternatives to paid software. Photoshop CS2 offers users features and functions that are ideal to acquaint themselves with the Photoshop environment and software. One obvious disadvantage is that the software is outdated and old. However, it offers a decent and professional image editing experience.
Advantages:
- Good introduction to Photoshop
- Classic functions and tools available
Disadvantages:
- Old version without updates
- Technical errors cannot be ruled out
Recognizing professional image editing
With a multitude of image editing software, users may be at risk of losing track. Some image editing software offers free versions that quickly reveal limitations, especially in terms of functionality and features. A good image editing software offers a wider variety of features, functions and tools.
In addition, a professional program can edit the entire image as well as individual image sections. High-quality image editing is not only about pure image optimization. It is also about creative ideas that give pictures a completely new experience or expression.
In order to use difficult elements effectively, a professional works on different levels. Not every image software offers such extensive functionality.
Many photographers produce several 100 images a day, all of which need to be edited or optimized in software. Thus, photo editing can be a costly and time-consuming exercise.
This is where a professional image editing service can help you, to reduce cost and effort.
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