Photo Editing

[greybeard]

Afternoon everyone.
After lots of advice on this forum, I'm starting to get better with the manual settings, many thanks.
I'm now after some advice about photo editing, what's the best photo editing software for RAW images.
Many thanks.

What camera are you using?

 

[gk fotografie]

A fairly nice (simple and free) program to start editing RAW is PhotoScape X, but you can always opt for a program like GIMP, which is a kind of (free) Photoshop and at least just as difficult to get to know the many possibilities.

 

[AlanKlein]

Another vote for PS Elements to learn the ropes. Tons of online tutorials covering all actions.

PS ELements has a companion software video editing program called PS Premiere Elements. If you buy the package of two porgams, there a cost savings. I use the video program to create slide shows. You can also add video clips to the show with music credits, titles etc like this example and then download to YouTUbe or show on your smart TV or computer or cell phone.

 

[DanOstergren]

If you don't want to pay a lot of money, I recommend the Photography Plan of the Adobe CC subscription, which comes with Photoshop and Lightroom. You can process your raw images in Lightroom, or in Photoshop using the Adobe Camera Raw extension which comes built-in to Photoshop. Both are fairly straightforward so they're easy to learn, and there is no shortage of free online educational material that will give you the information you need to start using them effectively. My preference is Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop, instead of Lightroom, but that's just my own personal preference.

 

[MontanaDave]

Afternoon everyone.
After lots of advice on this forum, I'm starting to get better with the manual settings, many thanks.
I'm now after some advice about photo editing, what's the best photo editing software for RAW images.
Many thanks.

I used to use Affiniity Photo, then Lightroom and Topaz.
For the past year or so I've been using ON1 Photo Raw 2025 and I love it.
I especially like their customer support.
Also a great teaching video library on most topics and features in the software.

You can try ON1 Photo Raw 2025 for trial 30 days for free.
https://www.on1.com/free-photo-editor-trial/

 

[greybeard]

What camera are you using?

I ask this because each camera manufacture usually has a free program for editing their RAW files. For instance, Nikon has NX studio that is a free download and (imho) is excellent. I also have lightroom, photoshop, and topaz but, I often use NX as part of my editing because It has my favorite colors. Good editing software is a bargain when you think about the cost of cameras and lenses by comparison. You might only use a super tele once in a while but you use your software for every shot.

 

[Rob one]

If you don't want to pay a lot of money, I recommend the Photography Plan of the Adobe CC subscription, which comes with Photoshop and Lightroom. You can process your raw images in Lightroom, or in Photoshop using the Adobe Camera Raw extension which comes built-in to Photoshop. Both are fairly straightforward so they're easy to learn, and there is no shortage of free online educational material online that will give you the information you need to start using them effectively. My preference is Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop, instead of Lightroom, but that's just my own personal preference.

I'll give it a try, many thanks

 

[SunriseAvenue]

It really depends on your budget and level. I'd recommend starting out with something easier and free or budget-friendly. Some programs even have how-to articles on their websites:
How to Edit RAW Photos Like a Pro Without Photoshop
Getting Started - RawPedia

Open RAW Photos Online

Also, as other mentioned, your camera manufacturer's options might be worth checking out as well.

 

[Tartness9094]

A fairly nice (simple and free) program to start editing RAW is PhotoScape X, but you can always opt for a program like GIMP, which is a kind of (free) Photoshop and at least just as difficult to get to know the many possibilities.

I agree about Photoscape X, I have the Pro version that you have to pay for, I bought it years ago for a very small amount but it is a very underrated program.

 

[jcassel]

Afternoon everyone.
After lots of advice on this forum, I'm starting to get better with the manual settings, many thanks.
I'm now after some advice about photo editing, what's the best photo editing software for RAW images.
Many thanks.

My suggestion is Affinity Photo. No subscription, fully capable of near anyone’s needs. One time purchase and it’s yours. I taught photoshop back in the day, Affinity, in my opinion and personal experience, is the best alternative.

 

[MontanaDave]

I used to use Affiniity Photo, then Lightroom and Topaz.
For the past year or so I've been using ON1 Photo Raw 2025 and I love it.
I especially like their customer support.
Also a great teaching video library on most topics and features in the software.

I edit almost every day and it typically takes me about 2 minutes per photo.
I like that ON1 has AI based tools for noise removal, sharpening, color and tone adjustments
to quickly get my edit to close to what I desire, then a few minor tweaks and I am done.
And the adjustments are local (sky, animal, foliage, etc.) not global.
I also like their masking (gradient masks, depth masks, luminosity masks, AI-based masks, etc.)
ON1 supports most features found in Photoshop such as layers, filters, presets, etc. but you don't have to use
them if you don't want to.

You can try ON1 Photo Raw 2025 for trial 30 days for free.
https://www.on1.com/free-photo-editor-trial/