@photonewspn | photographynews.co.uk EDIT SMARTER / 31 The new world of editing tools
With some software releases shaking up the market, including DaVinci Resolve’s move to stills, Matty Graham guides you through the best options
Photo editing software has never been more powerful or
more competitive. From AI-driven tools that can transform an image in seconds to advanced colour grading platforms used in Hollywood and fast AI cataloguing software, photographers now have more choice than ever. The latest shake-up comes from an unexpected direction. Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve 21 video editing program now includes a dedicated Photo page, bringing its node-based grading system to stills – and it’s available in a free version. That move could change how photographers think about editing workflows. But it’s not the only option. Established names such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop remain dominant, while alternatives such as Capture One, DxO PhotoLab and ON1 Photo Raw continue to evolve with powerful new features. In this guide, we cut through the noise to highlight the software that really delivers – whether you’re a beginner looking for simplicity or a pro chasing ultimate control.
Adobe Photoshop
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026
Price: £22 per month
Price: £50-£173
The original photo editing software remains the industry benchmark – and the one all others chase. But Photoshop has grown; it’s no longer just a photo editor and meshes seamlessly with Adobe’s wider ecosystem, leaning on elements such as generative AI from Adobe’s Firefly engine. This then enables photographers to expand canvases or add objects via text prompts. Maybe some see it as cheating but you can’t argue that the software has thrown the shackles off any pixel restraints, enabling you to take a photo as far as you desire. Adobe works from a subscription-based model, meaning you’re locked into a monthly payment, but this does mean that software updates will keep you in touch with all the latest features as soon as they become available. adobe.com/uk
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026 is an all-in-one photo software blending digital asset management (DAM) with Raw editing and layered manipulation. It’s set up to handle your entire workflow – from importing and organising thousands of photos to advanced retouching. Well suited to shooters who want to speed up their workflow, its ‘Actions’ and AI-driven features, like AI Object Selection and Face Edit, allow for rapid batch processing. People are often drawn to it as a viable alternative to the Adobe ecosystem because it offers similar power without the forced cloud integration. The ACDSee website also offers paid-for courses to further your skills. acdsee.com
Adobe Lightroom
Cost: £12 per month
Shoot in Raw? Then meet Lightroom, Adobe’s specialised Raw processor and non-destructive photo organiser. There’s loads of crossover between Photoshop and Lightroom, but the latter is designed for batch processing – perfect for professionals who shoot for an extended period of time. Unlocking features such as culling and colour grading to be applied across multiple files at once saves lots of time, but you can also dig deeper into more localised editing with smart features. For example, skies can be automatically selected, as can elements of your landscape scene. Lightroom’s Lens Blur tool is also class-leading and can help craft an image into something special. Available on desktop and tablet, Lightroom should suit those who like to edit on the go. adobe.com/uk
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