Best Photo Editing Software for Beginners in 2024 — Best Way to Edit Images
Now that you need to make your photographs better and sometimes modify them as well, it is crucial that you either want photos of yourself or your family’s photography.
The evolution of technology is more dramatic as smartphones and digital cameras advance in shooting capabilities, enabling countless individuals to pursue their passion for photography.
However, the photo retouching world can be daunting from square one—with software of every kind and flavor available hawking their own sets of bells and whistles.
By 2024, the prophecy that everyone will be able to use photo editing software more readily has been realized. From editing family photos to creating scrolling social media images, there are 10 tools ready-made for you; within your requirements and ability.
Best Photo Editing Software For Beginners 2024
10 Photopea
Photopea has quickly become popular as a strong free option for photo editing. This tool is different because it works in a web browser and doesn’t need to be downloaded. Anyone can start editing photos by just opening a webpage.
Photopea looks a lot like Adobe Photoshop. This is good for beginners because it helps them learn similar tools used in Photoshop without spending big money. Interested in editing different types of files? Photopea supports many formats, including Photoshop’s native PSD files.
Even though it’s free, Photopea packs in a lot of useful tools. You get layers, masks, filters, and other cool effects. Need to work on text or shapes? The app has simple and easy-to-use tools for both. It even lets you work with two kinds of images: raster and vector. Want to use brushes? There’s a selection of default brushes to try right away.
It’s impressive how well Photopea works, even in a browser. Handling big files and tough tasks isn’t a problem, even on older computers. Thinking of using Photopea from a low-end computer? This tool probably won’t slow you down too much. But keep in mind that the program needs the internet to run, which could be a problem in some situations.
Photopea is free, but it shows ads on the side. If this bothers you, there is a paid option to remove them. Still, the ads are small and don’t get in the way too much. Do you like free software? This ad-supported model allows anyone, no matter their budget, to use quality editing tools.
There is also a growing community and some online guides for Photopea. The number of resources may not be huge, but they’re useful for those learning how to edit. The developers are always improving the tool, so new updates keep coming based on what users ask for. In short, Photopea is perfect for anyone new to photo editing.
9 Capture One Pro
Capture One Pro has been popular with professional photographers for a long time. Lately, beginners also find it easier to use. Known for working well with raw files, it gives top image quality as soon as you start using it. This software stands out because pictures have bright colors and sharp details, often better than other programs.
One thing beginners like is that Capture One Pro lets you change how the screen looks. You can move things around to work how you like. It also includes tools and ready-to-use styles that help people who are just starting to edit photos get good results fast. As users learn more, they can try harder tools and slowly adjust how they edit.
Managing many photos is easy with Capture One Pro. Its system helps you sort, rate, and add keywords to pictures. This is useful for beginners who are building a collection and want everything in order. Good organization is important when you start growing in this field.
It may be hard to learn at first, as Capture One Pro is more difficult than some other options. But don’t worry. The software offers tutorials and webinars. A helpful user community exists too. These resources probably help users get better with time.
It costs more than some other choices, but you have options. Subscriptions or one-time payment are available to fit different wallets. Many agree that, over time, the better picture quality and tools are worth the price.
Capture One Pro may seem hard at first, but for beginners who want to get serious with editing, it’s a powerful choice. Great image quality, screens you can change, and tools that organize well give a strong reason to stick with it as skills grow.
8 Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel PaintShop Pro has been popular in photo editing for years, offering many tools at a lower price than other software. It gives users strong tools while still being easy to understand. A good choice for beginners who want to improve without feeling lost.
The program uses a system with two different work areas. The “Essentials” work area is simple and helps new users get used to basic tools. Need quick fixes? This work area gives tools that allow fast changes to pictures. For users who want more, the “Complete” work area unlocks advanced tools for deeper editing.
This software stands out because of its creative options. Beginners find one-click filters, textures, and effects that change images fast. Artificial intelligence helps with things like replacing backgrounds or improving portraits, removing the need for harder skills.
Corel doesn’t just leave new users on their own. Want to learn? The built-in “Discovery Center” gives quick lessons, tips, and ideas. Outside the program, help can be found with video tutorials and webinars online. Why not visit the user forums for even more help?
One important thing is users only pay once to use PaintShop Pro, unlike other software that asks for monthly payments. Worried about the price? Paying one time appeals to beginners who don’t want a long money commitment. As time goes on, Corel gives small updates for free. Major updates, though, need payment.
This program does have some downsides. Only available on Windows. If using Mac or Linux, PaintShop Pro probably won’t work. Users with older computers also say the software can feel slow.
PaintShop Pro doesn’t just stop at photo editing. Want more? It comes with AfterShot, helping users handle RAW files. Need to record your screen or webcam? MultiCam Capture Lite is included too. These extras offer new ways for beginners to get more creative.
In summary, PaintShop Pro works well for new users, especially those on Windows. Easy to pick up due to simple tools and helpful learning materials. Users grow with the software over time. The one-time payment system, combined with regular updates, keeps it a money-friendly option for those stepping into photo editing.
7 Skylum Luminar Neo
Skylum Luminar Neo is a photo editing program that many photographers and artists like. Its simple design helps beginners and advanced users alike.
What makes it stand out is its smart tools. They help edit pictures faster. Maybe you need to change the lighting or fix the colors. Or go big – switch the sky or touch up a face. Neo has tools for all of this.
AI tools are some of the best things about Neo. They help a lot when working with pictures of people, landscapes, or objects you want to take out. Have you ever wanted to change a boring sky?
You just swap it out with a more exciting one. The same goes for adding more detail to some places in your picture, without messing up the rest. This really helps save time, so you spend less on fixing and more on creating.
Neo lets you try many things without ruining your picture. You can go back anytime you want. Liking freedom while editing? You can use layers, testing many looks before picking the one you love. When in a rush, presets offer quicker results. You can also use templates to quickly style a bunch of photos at once.
Do you use other programs? Neo connects easily with some like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. It works both on its own or as a part of these bigger programs. This allows people to choose the way they prefer to work.
In short, Luminar Neo is a solid photo editing tool with smart options to simplify tasks. Whether you’re just having fun with photos or doing this professionally, it gives you what is needed to bring your ideas to life. Easy to use with good options and adaptable to other products, it helps anyone who wants better pictures quickly.
6 CyberLink PhotoDirector
CyberLink PhotoDirector is a great photo editing tool that offers strong tools and is easy to use. It works well for both new and experienced photographers. This tool covers many editing needs, from simple tweaks to more complex changes. Does your photo look too bright or too dark?
Features like fixing light, adjusting colors, and removing objects help correct it. Users try different edits without losing the original photo, thanks to layer and non-destructive editing.
A really cool part of PhotoDirector is its AI-powered tools. These use smart technology to handle hard tasks easily. Want to switch a dull sky with a beautiful one? Use the AI Sky Replacement tool. Is your photo blurry? The AI Deblur tool helps sharpen it. This makes fixing photos quicker and opens doors to fresh ideas.
This software works well with high-quality images and many different file types. Users with many photos to edit at once find it helpful, as it works fast with big files. Other CyberLink tools connect easily, and PhotoDirector even works as a plugin for Adobe Lightroom if needed.
To wrap it up, CyberLink PhotoDirector brings together strong tools, creative effects, and AI features that turn photo editing into a simple task. Is it for experts? Yes. Is it helpful for beginners? Absolutely. This tool really helps photographers, no matter their skill level, create the photos they want.
5 Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom helps people edit and organize photos in a simple way that works for beginners and experts. The program, with its easy setup and strong tools, lets users edit many photos without trouble. It focuses on photographers by mixing editing tools with a system that helps sort and manage pictures. This cuts down on time and effort.
One key part is the way Lightroom edits pictures without hurting the original version. Edits happen as instructions, so the original stays safe. Test different edits without fear. Go back to the first image any time.
The program gives both basic and advanced edits, covering brightness and color balance along with tone curves and color effects. Users also get local correction tools, like the Graduated Filter or the Adjustment Brush, to target smaller areas in a photo.
The software also stands out for its organizing skills. Tools to sort and label photos help locate the right picture in big libraries. Use keywords, ratings, or collections to keep things easy.
Even the built-in face feature can sort pictures of the same person by itself. Lightroom’s mix of photo edits and management helps users handle huge amounts of files with less stress.
Access to files from anywhere is possible thanks to its cloud system. Work on a desktop today then continue on a tablet later. Even phones can work with it. Maybe this brings new freedom to editing. Combine it with Photoshop for super detailed edits that Lightroom won’t cover – without losing workflow speed.
In short, Lightroom gives both hobbyists and pros lots of control over their work. With safe edits, strong organization tools, and creative features, it fits anyone needing better ways to sort and adjust photos. Plus cloud access keeps projects going across devices, offering flexibility and power for daily use.
4 DxO PhotoLab
DxO PhotoLab is a photo editor known for sharp images and strong correction tools. DxO, a company with great skill in camera gear, built it for photographers wanting pro-quality results.
It offers strong editing functions with smart noise handling and lens corrections, which makes it a top pick for photographers who need really high-quality pictures.
One of its best parts is the RAW processing feature. Its DeepPRIME tech uses AI to reduce noise and keep details in dark scenes. It looks at every bit in a RAW image to help make colors truer, cut noise, and sharpen details. This is great for those who often work in poor light or need prints that look really good.
DxO PhotoLab also does great with lens problems. It has a big collection of camera and lens data. It automatically fixes issues like distortion, dark edges, and colored lines based on the camera and lens used to shoot. Is accuracy in photos important to you?
Then you’ll enjoy how the results keep the sharpness and clarity of every picture. Extra features like Smart Lighting and ClearView Plus help brighten and clear images, giving them a more vivid look.
The layout is simple to use and can be changed to fit each photographer’s skill level. DxO PhotoLab includes tools like U Point for detailed area editing, allowing users to adjust just parts of a photo while leaving others untouched. This gives more freedom and control, helping users get better, cleaner results in their edits.
A big bonus is its non-destructive editing system. Users can try effects without changing the original photo forever. This works well for photographers who like trying out ideas or need the same photo in different versions. DxO PhotoLab is number 4 in our list of best photo editing software for beginners in 2024.
3 Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop Elements helps people edit photos without needing really hard skills. Meant for beginners and casual users, it gives tools like the main Photoshop but in a simpler format. The software helps users fix, organize, and share their pictures easily while offering options for lots of skill levels.
One of the best things is how easy it feels to use. Users can pick from three ways to edit: Quick, Guided, or Expert. Quick gives basic fixes like brightness or colors, and it uses sliders to keep it easy. Guided helps teach bigger fixes, maybe removing things from a photo or adding special effects.
Expert unlocks tools like the big Photoshop, for deeper edits and more control over details. Ever been unsure which tools to use? Its design might really keep those answers simple.
Another strength is its automation, run by Adobe Sensei AI tech. This lets the software handle tough tasks on its own. Things like picking the main subject of a photo, smoothing skin, or swapping backgrounds get done fast.
Those hard tasks now feel much simpler, with more focus on results, not effort. For example, it quickly finds the key part of a picture and sharpens just that, great for portraits or adding attention to an important detail.
Photoshop Elements also includes strong tools for managing photos. Its photo organizer keeps track of everything clearly. Photos get tagged and sorted by things like people in the shot, when it was taken, or even where it happened.
These sorting tricks help save time, so you don’t get lost finding the best shots for albums or slideshows. The photo organizer links directly to editing tools, switching between fixing and sorting without any extra steps.
The software doesn’t stop at editing and sorting. It gives options for creative projects too! It has templates to help users put their photos in collages, cards, and more. These tools offer easy ways to add text, frames, or fun filters. Who wouldn’t want creative and easy ways to share pictures on social media or printed for gifts?
In short, Adobe Photoshop Elements mixes easy to use with strong editing power. Its simple controls, built-in AI tools, and organizing abilities seem well suited for beginners or those not ready for tougher software.
The mix of guided edits, automatic features, and creative sharing ideas delivers solid options for anyone wanting better photo skills without feeling overwhelmed.
2 Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is known as the best software for editing pictures and creating digital art. It has many tools that help people like photographers, designers, and artists. Photoshop is great for creating visuals for printing, websites, or videos. Have you ever wanted software that helps you build amazing images? This one probably covers it all.
One key feature in Photoshop is the use of layers. Layers give people control to work on different parts of an image separately. This helps users move or change parts without touching the rest of the picture.
It lets users test out new effects or changes with no fear. If you dislike the result, the previous steps are easy to bring back anytime. Tools like layer masks, blending, and adjustments give endless options.
Photoshop also brings strong tools for fixing photos. Can you imagine removing skin blemishes or changing colors with a few clicks? Tools like Healing Brush or Dodge and Burn do that. Unwanted items in your photo?
The Content-Aware Fill fills those gaps like magic. These tools really come in handy for those who need powerful photo corrections or want to build cool photo effects.
Selection tools are another big plus. Ever struggled to pick out parts of an image? Photoshop helps users select certain areas to edit, even tricky ones like hair. Tools such as the Magic Wand make it easy to grab specific parts of your image. Working with masks adds even more control, very detailed edits are now within reach for everyone, not just experts.
Adobe Photoshop is not just for photos. Can you believe you can draw and paint too? The software gives you many choices of brushes and tools to create detailed drawings and designs.
Want fonts or stock images to use for your work? Photoshop’s access to Adobe’s Creative Cloud offers these resources. Plus, you can send your project to other programs like Illustrator or After Effects for better workflows.
In summary, Adobe Photoshop is a top tool in digital imaging. Using layers, advanced retouching, selection tools, and art creation features, it is more than photo software – it’s a creative tool for all kinds of professionals.
Fix your photos, design detailed work, or paint illustrations – Photoshop gives the power to bring any idea to life. Looking for creative freedom? Photoshop probably is the best tool for you.
1 Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Lightroom Classic is a strong photo editing tool for photographers who want good control over their work. It runs on your computer and doesn’t rely on online storage.
People who like keeping their photos on their own devices often choose it. The software helps handle and change big photo collections in a way that feels organized.
A key part of Lightroom Classic is its wide set of options for image editing. You can adjust brightness levels, balance colors, improve sharpness, or remove noise from pictures to get a better result.
Special tools are available for working on only parts of a photo without affecting everything. This approach works well for those who need careful adjustments.
Lightroom Classic isn’t just for editing. It’s also great for sorting and keeping lots of pictures in order. You’ll find tools that help you label, rate, and group your photos in many ways.
This really helps, especially when the collection has thousands of images. Need something specific from a big collection? Tools are there to help find photos faster. You probably won’t waste time searching.
Lightroom Classic has a smart way of handling photos where the original image stays safe. You can try different things and not lose what the picture looked like before. Really useful when dealing with many versions of the same photo. Processing lots of photos at once is also easy – handles big workloads very well.
Working together with other Adobe tools like Photoshop is quick and simple. Lightroom Classic and Photoshop can share the same photos without any complications. If you need special edits that Lightroom can’t fully handle, easily transfer to Photoshop for more options.
Overall, Lightroom Classic is a good choice for photo editing and organization. Searching for pictures, doing detailed edits, and saving original files are all covered. Photographers will find it very useful in trying to reach their goals quickly.
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