Passionate photographers will no doubt have an extensive archive of snapshots that now need refining with an image editor. If that sounds like you, read on. As you might have discovered already, you could utilize web-based photo-editing software to enhance your pics. However, desktop apps get more regular updates, thus allowing you to make the most of the latest photo-editing techniques. That is all thanks to publishers who release new versions of their flagship photo editors every one or two years to give them new tools and features. The latest image editors include:

Vector graphics tools RAW converters Extensive filter effects Paint and drawing options Lens distortion correction Shadow and highlight adjustment options Photo management features Layer masks, and lots more advanced editing tools

These are some of the best PC photo-editing applications.

What are the best photo-editing software tools for PC?

That’s why this next entry, inPixio Photo Studio Pro 12, caters to those exact users, offering a photo editor that focuses on simplicity and efficiency. If you’re interested in simple things, like adjusting image settings, cropping, resizing, or removing options, this software is right for you. Some additional backgrounds are available for photomontages in the Photo Studio Pro 12. More so, you will be guided every step of the way thanks to the abundance of interactive tutorials, so getting started will be a breeze. Furthermore, you can share your creations on Facebook and Twitter and add some special effects by switching the skies for vibrant photos. The Elements software solution is the slightly stripped-down alternative to Photoshop CC, but it’s also a more economical and straightforward application to utilize for photo editing than CC. Adobe has designed Photoshop Elements as a more user-friendly alternative to CC. As such, the software includes a Guided mode that provides tutorials and templates for editing pictures. Photographers will also appreciate the Quick Edit mode with which you can apply quick fix edits with the application’s more basic editing tools. For more advanced editing, the software has an Expert mode. Element’s Expert mode includes more than 90 creative filters for images and the software’s full gamut of editing tools. Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Generous range of selection tools, adjustment layers, masks, paint options Lens distortion correction option, a clone tool, vector graphic tools, and more Elements Organizer for cataloging images Advanced image search options New guided effects, new dynamic slideshows, and a panorama tool for merging photos together

So, Photoshop Elements is certainly one of the must-have image editors in 2021. Here are some of the features that PhotoWorks boasts:

Content-aware AI that can detect your photo’s genre and enhance it accordingly One-click portrait enhancement features allow you to instantly retouch a portrait, smooth out the skin, remove blemishes, and whiten the teeth in a blink Intelligent background replacement will allow you to seamlessly change the backdrop of any photo in just a few brushstrokes Smart color grading with pro tools like Curves, Tone Mapping, and scores of built-in 3D LUT effects and filters.

These are just some of the tools that PhotoWorks offers, and the best part is that they can all be tested before you actually buy the software. Although this app has fewer photo-editing tools than Elements, it’s a quick and easy image editor for mobile photographers who need to edit snapshots. Photoshop Express includes most of the more essential photo-editing tools for photographers. Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Crop & Rotate, Resize, Exposure, Red Eye, Saturation, White Balance, Soft Focus, Sharpen, and Fill Light editing tools Auto fix and enhance option (provides a handy quick fix for photographs’ contrast and exposure) 15 frames and more than 15 effects (plus the Adobe Looks Pack further expands the number of filters for the app) Advanced sharing options(Twitter, Flickr, Instagram, in emails, or save them to the CC Library)

This was previously an exclusive Apple Mac editor, but Macphun has released a Luminar version for Windows as well (64-bit platforms only). The image editing software tool has massive discounts for current and new Luminar users. And, if you want to get stunning results, you can combine it with Aurora HDR. Skylum Luminar is an all-in-one photo editor that packs in color toning, layers, sharpness, B&W processing, contrast, dehaze, luminosity mask, masking, object removal, and layer photo enhancement tools. The real beauty of Luminar lies in its presets that you can apply to outdoor, travel, dramatic, portrait, and other photo categories.  For example, you could select the 60’s Black and White preset to give your photo a retro feel. Let’s quickly look at its key features:

More than 40 filters, such as soft focus, tone, grain, vignette, radiance, clarity and more besides RAW-processing filter so that you can apply filters to RAW images New Library and image management tools AI-powered filters, signatures looks, and much more

The Luminar library is a highly customizable image catalog that makes browsing, rating, and organizing a joy. Users can easily see a beautiful image wall that works with existing folders on their hard drive, connected devices, and synced cloud storage. There’s no need to re-import images, simply selecting a folder adds it to Luminar where pictures can be viewed, color labeled, rated, and edited. ⇒ Get Skylum Luminar  Some of its amazing enhance and retouch capacities include imperfections’ removal, perspective correction, tone and color adjustments, and HDR editing from RAW images. All this and much more is possible thanks to the incredible Corel PHOTO-PAINT integrated solution plus AfterShot 3 HDR feature. Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Professional vector illustration toolkit (AI-powered bitmap-to-vector trace technology) Comprehensive photo editing suite Expert-grade corrections and enhancements to RAW or JPEG images Eliminate noise from highly-compressed JPEG images Countless effects, masks, effects, and lenses Replace Color, Blend, Mesh Fill, patterns, gradients, and much more Non-destructive editing

⇒ Get CorelDRAW This is possible because it supports all popular image formats. In addition, the PhotoPad has a free version. It edits RAW images, has many great features, and lets you edit photos like a pro without having too much experience with image editing tools. Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Access to every basic image manipulation tool such as cropping, resizing, rotating, color fixing, light and color balancing Merge multiple exposures to create amazing HDR images Multiple layers (so you can apply and change different effects without literally destructing a photo) Perfect for photo collages, effects (oil paint, cartoon, vignette, various filters), photo books, and many more Background replacement process that can be easily made, even if you are not an infographics pro

⇒ Get NCH PhotoPad Those are the best photo editors to check out this year. The decision that’s the best photo-editing software really depends on what exactly you need from it. Speaking of your editing needs, there are plenty of specialized photo-editing tools available on the market. Some are very lightweight which is perfect for low-end PCs and very basic editing needs. Other tools offer advanced editing options suitable for professionals. What’s it going to be? Share your choice via the comments section below. Name * Email * Commenting as . Not you? Save information for future comments
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