Photographers don't just need image-manipulation tools any more, they also need programs that can organise, search and share an ever-growing library of photos. And as more and more of us shoot raw files, the quality of the raw conversion process and the tools you can bring to bear become ever more important.
Even though Photoshop might still be the best image-editor, an image-editor in itself may not longer be enough for the things we want to do with our photos today.
We don't necessarily want to sit in front of a single image for hours on end surrounded by manuals. More often than not, we develop a personal style we want to apply with a single click, to dozens of photos at a time – and maybe change our minds later.
And if you're pursuing the best possible image quality, don't assume that shooting raw files is enough on its own, because raw conversion programs differ massively. Don't just assume Adobe Camera Raw (as supplied with Photoshop and Elements) is the best.
So here's a guide to the latest photo editing software for all these different jobs, from regular image editors to image cataloguing specialists like Lightroom and all-out raw converters like DxO Optics Pro.
Digital imaging is going through exciting times, with higher-resolution sensors, sophisticated software lens corrections and advances in raw data conversion and noise reduction. So which companies are ahead of the curve, and which are trading on past glories? And can any of them topple the mighty Adobe from its perch?
Adobe Photoshop CC 2014
Adobe created a storm of controversy when it swapped Photoshop over from a regular 'perpetual' licence (you pay once then use the software forever) to a subscription scheme where you pay a monthly/annual fee to use it. If you stop paying the subscription, you lose the software.
The upside is that you get automatic, free updates for as long as you subscribe – and the last one was when Adobe released Photoshop CC 2014.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 13
Photoshop Elements is like the 'amateur' version of Photoshop. It's a lot more novice-friendly and it's a lot cheaper too (though more on this shortly), although you do miss out on a lot of Photoshop's more advance features, not surprisingly.
Elements' main strength is its ability to cater for all kinds of user. The editor works in three modes – Quick, Guided and Expert. Quick mode is for simple one-click semi-automatic adjustments for photographers still struggling with the basics, Guided offers a selection of special image effects but walks you through each process step by step so that you learn how the tools work, and Expert mode is for those who already know what they want to and how and just want to get on with it.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5
Lightroom is a new kind of image-editing tool, combining an image cataloguing and management database with 'non-destructive' editing tools. It means that you can make non-permanent adjustments to an image which are visible within Lightroom but only made permanent when you export a new version of the picture with the adjustments applied – your original photos are never modified.
The image-editing tools are the same as those in Adobe Camera Raw, but presented in a different interface. They can't do everything – for selections, layers, masks and many more complex effects you'll still need a program like Photoshop – but for everyday image enhancements and picture 'styles', Lightroom is perfect.