Recent Software Articles
Did You Know? Android Began Life as an Operating System for Cameras
Before Android-powered modern smartphones, the company, pre-Google, was focused on making a universal operating system for cameras. It raises the question of an alternate reality that never happened, but what if it did?
Lightroom Update April 2023 A.I. Noise Reduction, Masking, Presets, and More
Can Lightroom's New Denoise AI Replace DxO PureRaw, Topaz DeNoise AI, and ON1 NoNoise AI?
Incredible Hand-Held 30 Second Exposures With an iPhone App
Luminar Neo Delivers a Stealth Update With Some Powerful Features
Current Luminar Neo users are in for a treat the next time they open the app, which has quietly hit version 1.8.0. Some of the updates are evolutionary, and there's the usual gaggle of bug fixes, but there are some really nice updates here that will please Neo users.
Speed Up Your Culling and Editing With Aftershoot PRO and EDITS
Over 20 years of digital photography produced 80,000 images. Culling is a time-consuming, tedious process that I’ve neglected. Consequently, my hard drives and cloud storage are bloated. Can Aftershoot PRO help me lighten the load?
Peakto Integrates Pixelmator Pro, With DXO Links on the Way
I gave a favorable review to Peakto a couple of weeks ago, and one thing I noticed is that they do frequent updates, which is a positive thing in my view. Bug fixes and new features are frequent. Today, they've offered an update to Peakto that includes integration with Pixelmator Pro, a popular photo editor. Peakto, please note, is a Mac-only application.
3 Great New Features of the Latest Major Update to Zoner Photo Studio X
AI's Incredible Advancements Just in the Last Week
Unless it's your full-time job, you probably don't know how fast AI is improving. Let's look at the incredible advancements that took place just last week.
DxO PureRAW 3 Offers Better Noise Reduction, Color Enhancement, and Lens Corrections
I didn't think DxO PureRAW 2 for Mac and Windows could be improved, but it has been, in a variety of both subtle and not-so-subtle ways that improve workflow. The latest, version 3, is out today, and the company says PureRAW 3 features DxO’s latest artificial intelligence technology, DeepPRIME XD, delivering industry-leading noise reduction and RAW image enhancement; greater control over which corrections are applied through DxO’s renowned Optics Modules; and user interface modifications that offer improved integration with every photographer’s workflow.
Peakto Review: A Hub for All Your Images and Catalogs
If you're like me, you've got photos strewn over a variety of storage devices: local, on the web, maybe even some off-line storage. Keeping track of these images is a real pain. I've got multiple image editing apps: Lightroom, Photoshop, Luminar Neo, and some dedicated astronomy editing apps. I'm also a former Aperture user (groan). Lightroom has its own catalog system, and it's very good. But I've also got photos in the Neo catalog (it's not so good as a catalog) and all my iPhone photos in Apple's Photo app.
New AI Software Will Fix Any Photo
5 AI Tools You Can Use for Video Editing
The Best Software for Fixing Blurred or Out-of-Focus Portraits
Blurry pictures are a nightmare. When you simply have to recover detail on images you've taken, this is the video to watch. Photographer and author Glyn Dewis goes through three mainstream programs, Luminar Neo, On1 NoNoise AI 2023, and Topaz Sharpen AI, that he uses to evaluate and try to improve his blurry image.
How to Unlock the Full Potential of Your Photos With Topaz Photo AI
While I'm not fond of using AI to replace the creative process, I think it is incredibly helpful in enhancing image quality. With the right AI tools, you can rescue photos that may have been unusable otherwise. Topaz Photo AI is such a tool, and in this article, we look at its capabilities, limitations, and ways to get the best results.
Skylum Updates Its Smartphone App With AI Portrait Enhancing and Slick Tools for Landscapes
Skylum's Imgmi for smartphones has been out for a while. Like Luminar Neo on the Mac and PC platform, it's an AI-based image editor with a host of features, including sky replacement, power line removal, and tools like saturation, exposure, shadows, and highlights for simple editing.
A Year in Review With Luminar Neo
With 2023 well underway, it's time to look back at what has been a busy year for Luminar Neo, the AI photo-editing software from Skylum. Since its launch back in 2021, Luminar Neo has seen many updates, performance improvements, and major feature enhancements, including new AI-powered tools, and has established itself as a powerful editing tool for both amateur and professional photographers alike.
5 Reasons You Should Switch From Lightroom To Capture One in 2023
In a lot of my articles, I go on about how incredible Capture One is and how every photographer (with a few exceptions) should switch from Lightroom to Capture One. In this article, we will finally take a deep dive and see for ourselves why it’s worth considering the switch in 2023.
Essential Ways to Manage Your Photography Files Using Lightroom Classic
Most of the problems I get asked to fix in my role as technical support for photographers has to do with Lightroom. This article will show you the way I use Lightroom to be able to find any photograph I've shot in the last 10 years in under a minute. This is how best to organize and categorize your files to best serve you as a photographer and the tips and tricks that you might have otherwise missed.
We Review DxO PhotoLab and Why You Should Consider Swapping to It
DxO PhotoLab 6.3 has just been released, and it's persuaded me to change my workflow. Here's why you should consider giving it a try.
Lightroom Versus ON1 Photo Raw 2023: Which Will Be the Victor? It Depends on Your Camera.
With ON1 Photo Raw 2023 having just won a Pop Photo Award for its AI features, it is apt to compare the app with Lightroom next. How would it stand up to different camera raw files?
3 Color Grading Methods to Enhance Your Images
Color grading your images can be fun, yet, in some cases, an arduous task. The subtle nuances that it can provide can make or break an image. Learning to color grade effectively takes years, and understanding the subtle differences that adding numerical values can make to the RGB of your image is an art form.
Skin Retouching Made Easy With Infinite Skin
Skin retouching takes time, so any plugin that can help speed up the process is a bonus. Infinite Skin is a Photoshop plugin from the Infinite Tools range and is probably the quickest skin-retouching plugin I've ever used, producing great results in next to no time.
DxO Adds Some Powerful New Features to PhotoLab 6.3
DxO PhotoLab is well regarded as one of the finest raw editors available for pro and semi-pro photographers. Although certainly not as well known as the Adobe products like Photoshop and Lightroom, it offers very powerful tools that have gotten a lot of attention.
We Review Capture One for iPad
This review is for you if you’re a Capture One Pro user and are wondering if the iPad version is worth adding to your workflow. It is also for those who don’t yet use Capture One but are looking for a budget-friendly introduction to it and already own an iPad. I will be looking at the application’s features, pros and cons, and comparing them to the desktop version.
10 Fundamental Facts You Need to Know Before You Turn Pro
Thinking about turning your hobby into a jobby? What are the essential points you will need to consider when taking your hard-earned savings and convincing your better half that this will be the new, next chapter in your life? With over 15 years as a professional photographer and more than 25 years being self-employed, here’s what you need to know to make your dream a reality.
Can DxO PhotoLab 6 Elite Knock Lightroom Classic Out of the Ballpark?
I tested a range of raw camera files in different development programs in a quest to find the ultimate development tool. This time it is the turn of DxO PhotoLab 6. Lightroom is good, and Capture One was better. How does Photolab 6 compare, and is it worth the investment?
DXO Releases 1,693 Optics Modules for New Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm Cameras
DXO has a significant release today for pro and semi-pro users of their software. The DXO optical correction technology updated today appears in their PureRAW, PhotoLab, FilmPack, and ViewPoint software.
How to Retouch a Portrait in Lightroom Without Photoshop
High-end retouching is normally done in Photoshop, so can similar edits be achieved in Lightroom without ever leaving the software? The following tutorial is based upon the tips and techniques provided in lesson 19 of Mastering Adobe Lightroom by Pye Jirsa and is only part of the 49 lessons available in the tutorial.
Breathe New Life Into Pictures Taken With Old or Low-Resolution Cameras
Many professional photographers are certain to have images that were taken on outdated cameras or taken on low-resolution sensors. But what happens if you want to print these images large or bring them up to current camera technology standards? Well, Luminar Neo might just be the answer for you.
Quick, Precise, and Easy to Use: We Review Sharpen Version 1.1 From Tonality Masks
Sharpening your images can either go two ways: oversharpened or not quite the mark of what you are seeking. What if you had full control of the sharpening process in a simple, straightforward plugin? Sound interesting?
The Ultimate Backup and Workflow Journey for Creatives
We look at what makes a successful backup system, the components, the ideal outcome, and how we test that all is working before the inevitable happens.
How to Optimize Your Computer Right Now
Optimize and save a ton of space, speed up your computer, and make it easy to find your files.
Yes, You Absolutely Can Fix It in Post: Topaz Labs Video AI
Getting it right in camera is definitely the best thing to do. If you can correctly light, compose, and white balance your footage and images, then you're probably going to have an easier time. However, there are situations when the lighting just isn't working or you need to capture footage in less-than-ideal situations. In those situations, use Topaz Labs. Right now, they're having a Holiday sale.
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 in Use: A Step-by-Step Workflow
A lot has changed from the previous version of ACDSee. It has new tools and powerful AI features. If you are looking for Digital Asset Management, developing, and editing tool, the ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 may meet your needs. Here's a workflow introducing you to and guiding you through the main features of this dynamic software.
What Are the Best Alternatives to the Adobe Photographer Plan?
Adobe ruled the waves for image processing. However, evermore people are jumping that ship in favor of alternative methods. Most have similar functions, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are thinking about changing, here are some alternative combined digital asset management, photo development, and editing options.
ACDSee Ultimate 2023 Brings Huge Updates and New Features
ACDSee is becoming a household name in the photography industry. The latest software from the company boasts a whole host of incredible new features.
Astrophotographers: Affinity Photo 2 May Become Your New Best Friend
A couple of days ago, my colleague, Ivor Rackham, had a positive review of Affinity Photo 2. What many people miss is that Affinity Photo is also an excellent astro image-processing tool.
20 Essential Ways to Tech-proof Your Photography Business
Here are 20 quick, essential tips on how to keep your photography business running and up to date in an age where technology changes day to day.
Be Wary of Photography Phone Apps: They May Be Stealing Your Face
We cannot live without our phones. Furthermore, phone apps that access your photos can be a lot of fun. However, they have a dark side, and maybe we should start to be more cautious about using them.
Will Affinity Photo 2 Take a Chomp out of Adobe's Apple? We Review This Editing Software
At first glance, Affinity Photo 2 doesn’t seem that different from the previous software version. However, as you delve more deeply into it, you’ll find a host of valuable improvements since the last release of this versatile photo editor. It’s affordable too.
DxO Offers More Than 1,700 New Optics Modules and FOV Enhancements for PhotoLab 6.1
DxO is well known to our readers. They've been leaders in camera and lens optical testing, and they've offered software like the DxO PureRAW pre-processing software and PhotoLab 6, which is a full-featured raw editor.
We Review The Infinite Texture Plugin: With 70,000 Images Files, You Can't Go Wrong
As a digital artist, being able to easily get your hands on overlays and effects for your images can sometimes be a costly experience and, at times, not provide you with enough scope of selections for your edits. One of the plugins I have in my collection is Infinite Texture, which provides a whole host of editing possibilities, from simple sky replacement to more complex edits.
How I Used the New Topaz Photo AI to Save My Low-light Wildlife Photographs
Topaz Labs, the company behind the wildly popular DeNoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Gigapixel AI, has made a huge change. These apps, once a triad of separate programs to fix your photographs, are now combined into one beefy app that is here to save the day. Meet Topaz Photo AI, your new best post-processing friend. Let me show you how I used it to save my low-light wildlife photographs.
Surprising Results With Topaz Photo AI
Although I've watched videos and read reviews about Topaz products, I had never actually tried them, remaining faithful to my workflow and not venturing farther afield. I do like software and seeing what it can do with my images, but felt safe with what I currently use. So, what could Topaz Photo AI bring to the table that I couldn't already accomplish?
Color Grading in Photoshop Is Possible for Everyone: We Review Infinite Color
Infinite Color for Infinite Tools is a color grading plugin for Photoshop. We put it through its paces.
Are You Ready? Photography Is About to Change Forever
If you're a photographer who earns a living photographing people, you need to be prepared for this.
Maybe the Only Photo Processing Software You’ll Ever Need: We Review ON1 Photo Raw 2023
ON1 Photo Raw 2023's is reaching a point where we don't need other apps to process our photos. It indeed addressed some of our most significant developing and editing annoyances.
Don't Miss This Seamless Object Removal Feature
There are a few reasons why you might want to remove an object from a photograph. Maybe it's distracting from the more important elements of the image, a person in the background who isn't supposed to be there, or a sign that you didn't notice. But what do you do when you want to move (or remove) a significant object from your image's foreground? You might have had to do this in the past, and you know it isn't easy to do well.