Introduction
Affinity Photo is a photo editing software designed by Serif; Affinity Photo is designed for professional photographers and creatives requiring advanced tools for editing images.
Adobe Photoshop is a powerful image editing software that is used by anyone looking to edit their images.
The two image editing softwares provide professional retouching and produce high-quality results; this comparison will help you decide which is best for you.
Objectives:
- Differences
- Affinity Photo: Pros and Cons
- Adobe Photoshop: Pros and Cons
- Verdict
Differences:
How different can two image editing softwares be? Whilst both boast similar features and functions, there are some things that set them apart.
Affinity Photo is a user-friendly photo editing tool with less advanced features, making the user interface less overwhelming.
Photo is known for its speed and efficiency; making it easier to work on large files and complete complex edits. Affinity Photo also has Live Filters; these are non-destructive filters that don’t permanently alter the image. Live Filters can be edited, disabled, or removed completely at any time without affecting the image.
These filters include:
- Blur
- Distortion
- Lighting
- Colour adjustments
- Sharpen filters
These filters can all be stacked to create a complex edit. They can also be used across a whole project to give your edits a cohesive look.
Adobe Photoshop is an industry standard piece of software that integrates with other Adobe apps such as Lightroom and Illustrator to create complex edits. Being a part of the Creative Cloud apps means that file sharing and collaboration is a smoother task.
Affinity Photo: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cost: Affinity Photo will cost you £67.99 for desktop, and £17.99 for iPad.
- Non-destructive editing: Live filters, masks, and layers allow edits to be adjusted or removed.
- User-friendly interface: A less overwhelming layout means that beginners may find Photo easier to use.
Cons:
- Not industry standard: As a lesser-used software, there may be fewer opportunities for collaboration.
- Standalone: With no direct integration with other systems, there is more difficulty making complex edits that include lots of different elements.
- Fewer tutorials: With a smaller user base comes fewer learning resources.
Adobe Photoshop: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Industry standard: In industries such as graphic design, photography, and advertising, Photoshop is the standard software used.
- Advanced tools: 3D Modelling, digital painting, and content-aware fill are just some of the advanced features Photoshop offers.
- Customisation: The interface is highly customisable, so your workspace can be tailored to your needs.
Cons:
- Cost: £21.98/month for the Photoshop subscription.
- Learning curve: Photoshop is more difficult to learn than Affinity Photo.
- Overkill: Simple tasks can be made more complex by the advanced features.
Verdict:
During this photo editing software comparison, we have discussed the many positives of both photo editing tools, but which is the best?
Affinity Photo is the best image editing software for beginners or casual users; the user-friendly interface as well as the one-time payment makes it the best choice.
Adobe Photoshop is the perfect image editing software for professionals; those looking to work professionally in industries such as photography or graphic design will want to familiarise themselves with this software.
Looking to improve your photo editing skills? Courses are available with our industry professionals now!
by Josie Daniel