When it comes to photo editing software, the selection out there is not huge by any means. However, the programs that are available to us at least stand out from one another in interesting ways. Today we’re going to talk about Zoner Photo Studio X, more specifically the 2024 update.
What Exactly Is Zoner Photo Studio X?
Simply put, it is an all-in-one solution for photographers from raw processing, through retouching, and color corrections, all the way to sharing and/or printing. The program can handle working with layers, local edits, file management, multiple versions of the same file, and even video. On top of all that the library works seamlessly with an online portfolio Zonerama which you can use to display your work at the best level of detail on any modern device.
The latest update has brought a considerable number of much-awaited features such as chromatic aberration removal, 3D LUT compatibility even for stills, the “Rejected” button for easier cataloging, and new video transitions and markers.
The key feature in the update, however, is the newly introduced ability to work with true HDR files. What exactly does that mean?
HDR Versus HDRn’t
Many photographers cringe and physically recoil at the sight of the three letters abbreviating High Dynamic Range. Rightfully so if you remember the visually painful early 2010s and the overflow of oversharpened, oversaturated, clarity-hurling images of old cars and rusty fences with apocalyptic skies and neon-bright foliage. This is not the HDR Zoner is bringing to the table today.
True HDR photography was pretty much impossible to achieve up until recently simply because of the limitations of the times. Only recently have we gotten much more affordable and easily obtainable screens capable of displaying HDR as well as cameras capable of recording such range. It mainly started with televisions and slowly but surely made its way down to computer screens, laptops, and even phones.
The main difference between SDR and HDR photographs is the contrast between the darkest and lightest parts of the picture along with the luminance of the bright parts being considerably higher. When edited correctly and displayed on an actual HDR-capable panel, suddenly the sun in your landscape shot has the ability to actually shine bright and flood the rest of the image with light without looking like a blown-out flat white detail-free blob.
How To?
To be able to edit an HDR file, you simply click the button in the Develop module and a few things will happen. Firstly, your histogram will double in length, displaying much more room to work with past the brightest area of the SDR image. Secondly, some new sliders will appear that directly correspond to the way the image will appear on an HDR screen. Last but not least, you’ll notice a difference in the contrast of the image if you’re using a proper HDR-capable screen.
From here, you can edit your image as you would any other image, only with the considerable difference of detail in the highlights as well as being able to affect the actual luminance of the image. What if you spend all of this time creating the perfect HDR image only for it to be displayed on an SDR panel? No need to worry should the work be viewed on a non-HDR screen. All you need to do is tick the “Show Preview” box and the image in your main view will appear as if there were no HDR edits present. From here, you can edit the file to your liking without worrying that you’ll ruin the HDR version.
When the time for export comes, Zoner Photo Studio X has options to spare. For HDR-only files, you can choose to export your photographs as either AVIF or JPEG XL. If you’re planning on showing your images regardless of the viewing screen, then standard JPEG is your best bet as Zoner allows for the use of gain maps. These make sure the image is displayed correctly on any screen regardless of its dynamic range capability. Should you decide to use Zoner’s own Zonerama online photo-sharing platform, that one has been compatible with HDR images since mid-2023 and will show the image accordingly.
It is extremely important to note that any HDR edits you do may look beautifully bright on an HDR screen but do not be disappointed when they do not look that way in print. Remember, paper isn’t backlit. Your image will be just as bright as the literal paper stock allows under its current lighting conditions. In this case, with prints being your main outcome, sticking to SDR may be the smarter choice.
Glad It’s Here
In terms of photo editing software, we have a small selection of worldwide-known giants that share the monopoly. Some rely heavily on cloud features whilst others aim right at working professionals, leaving enthusiasts in the dirt. Zoner Photo Studio X is accessible to anyone and immediately familiar. Czech photographers will most definitely welcome the official Czech language support given it’s developed there. Other supported languages are English, German, Spanish, and Japanese. None of the other programs offer this specific localization. However, I have a hunch that people reading Fstoppers are the last ones to have an issue with an English version of any program.
What I Like
- Easy navigation, intuitive layout
- Local masking
- File loading speed
- Catalog being local
- HDR capabilities
- Ability to edit videos
- Czech localization
- Simple showcase loop videos on many of the buttons
- Good export options
What I Dislike
- While the raw support is getting better with each version, many cameras are still unsupported, prompting the need to install third-party software like Adobe DNG Converter
Try It Out for Yourself
Zoner Photo Studio X offers a seven-day free trial for you to dip your toes in the program and see if it`s exactly for you. Go ahead and try it out. It is very capable and user-friendly.
