I Edited a Photo in Every Program.

The speaker discusses the annual expense of using Adobe's Lightroom and Photoshop, which are considered the industry standard for photographers. They note that most photographers have not explored alternatives due to the prevalence of tutorials and community discussions centered around these Adobe products. The speaker expresses a desire to try out different editing software, inspired by similar initiatives in other design fields. They provide an overview of Lightroom's capabilities as an all-in-one editing, organizing, and cataloging software, and of Photoshop as a raster-based editor with extensive options for image manipulation. They highlight the strengths of both programs, including Lightroom's AI-based tools and Photoshop's powerful layer-based editing and removal suite.

The speaker reviews Capture One as a comprehensive alternative to Lightroom, noting its tailored raw engine and superior color module. They praise Capture One's performance and responsiveness but criticize its healing tool as lacking compared to Photoshop. The discussion then shifts to Luminar Neo, which emphasizes AI in its editing process. While initially critical of Luminar Neo's AI presets for being overcooked, the speaker appreciates the program's speed and features that simplify editing for beginners. However, they caution that the software's removal feature is subpar and that more advanced tasks might still require Photoshop.

The speaker expresses disappointment with Sony Imaging Edge, which they find cumbersome to download and set up, and lacking in certain editing features, such as HSL adjustments. They then turn to Darktable, a free and open-source alternative to Lightroom, criticizing it for being overly complex and user-unfriendly. Despite some powerful features, the speaker finds Darktable's interface and terminology intimidating and inaccessible to the average user.

The speaker reflects on Apple Photos, which they find to be a capable editor for the average user but lacking for professionals due to its reliance on iCloud storage. They express a desire for the return of Aperture, a more professional-grade software. Affinity Photo is praised as a strong Photoshop alternative, with a similar interface and a comprehensive set of tools. However, the lack of certain features, such as content-aware fill, is noted as a downside when compared to Photoshop.

The speaker explores Photopea, a free online version of Photoshop that offers a surprisingly powerful and familiar editing experience within a browser. They caution users to be aware of privacy policies when uploading images. DxO PhotoLab is also reviewed, with the speaker noting its strong technical aspects and lens correction features, although they personally didn't find it as impressive or exciting as other options.

The speaker discusses ON1 Photo RAW, an AI-focused program that offers a range of editing tools and presets, comparing it to Luminar but finding it less polished. They also mention RawTherapy, a free and open-source program for users with less powerful machines, but advise against its use due to its complexity and the immediate application of a tone curve that they find unnecessary.

In conclusion, the speaker emphasizes that while they edited the same photo in various programs, the end results looked largely similar, suggesting that good editing can be achieved regardless of the software used, provided the user takes the time to learn and apply the tools effectively. They encourage users to try free trials of different programs to find the best fit for their needs and keep an eye on the evolving software landscape for future options.