Software and Apps
Photography today blends cameras with digital tools. Whether on desktop or mobile, the same creative controls appear again and again. Once you understand them in one place, you can find them anywhere. Many of the programs we teach even offer free access with enough essential tools to get started. Adobe in particular gives you a useful set of sliders in the free versions of Lightroom Mobile and Photoshop Express. Adobe also bundles Lightroom and Photoshop together in the Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which is the most common way learners begin working with both.
Contents
On Desktop
- Pixel Editors
- RAW and Non Destructive Editors
On iPad
- Pixel Editors
- RAW and Non Destructive Editors
On Mobile Phone
- Pixel Editors
- RAW and Non Destructive Editors
Looking Ahead
Learn Once, Apply Anywhere
Why Only This Software?
On Desktop
Pixel Editors (primarily destructive, but can be non-destructive with layers, masks, and RAW plug-ins):
Adobe Photoshop
- Industry-standard pixel editor for detailed retouching, composites, and design.
- RAW support: Yes, through Adobe Camera Raw.
- Purchase: Subscription on its own Adobe Photoshop or via the Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Beginner-friendly pixel editor with guided edits. RAW supported via Adobe Camera Raw.
- Includes the Elements Organizer, a very light cataloging tool sometimes described as “Lightroom Lite.” It allows you to manage photos and later port the catalog into Lightroom with metadata preserved.
- Purchase: 2025 version is a 3-year license. 2024 and earlier are perpetual one-time purchases. Adobe Elements info.
Affinity Photo V2
- Professional pixel editor with RAW support through the Develop Persona and non-destructive layer tools.
- Purchase: One-time purchase, no subscription. Affinity Photo V2.
On Mobile Phone
Pixel Editors
Photoshop Express (Mobile)
- Quick pixel editor for fast edits, filters, and simple tonal adjustments. Best for casual or social media use.
- RAW support: No.
- Free features: Crop, rotate, brightness/contrast sliders, simple filters, blemish removal.
- Paid features: Advanced retouching tools, extra filters, and premium content, unlocked via in-app purchases or Creative Cloud subscription.
- Get it: Photoshop Express | App Store | Google Play
RAW / Non-Destructive Editors
Lightroom Mobile
- Non-destructive RAW/JPEG editor with the same tonal sliders as desktop. Syncs with Creative Cloud for access across devices.
- Free features: Core sliders (Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks), crop and rotate, presets.
- Paid features: Healing brush, selective adjustments, geometry tools, cloud sync across devices, included in Lightroom subscription or the Photography Plan.
- Get it: Lightroom Mobile | App Store | Google Play
- Other apps
- Many third-party mobile apps use the same concepts of exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows. Once you learn them here, you’ll recognize them everywhere.
On iPad
Pixel Editors
Photoshop (iPad)
- Pixel editor with layers, retouching, and tonal adjustments, lighter than desktop but designed for touch.
- RAW support: Yes, via Adobe Camera Raw when synced.
- Purchase: Included in Photoshop subscription or the Photography Plan. Photoshop for iPad | App Store
- Affinity Photo V2 (iPad)
- Full pixel editor with professional tools, including the Develop Persona for RAW and non-destructive layer editing. Optimised for touch.
- RAW support: Yes.
- Purchase: One-time purchase via the App Store. Affinity Photo for iPad | App Store
RAW / Non-Destructive Editors
Lightroom (iPad)
- Non-destructive RAW/JPEG editor, same sliders as desktop. Automatic syncing through Creative Cloud keeps edits consistent across devices.
- Cataloging: None, the cloud replaces local catalogs.
- Purchase: Free to download with limited features. Full features unlocked with a Lightroom subscription or the Photography Plan. Lightroom for iPad
Looking Ahead
While it may seem counterintuitive, we believe the very near future is really about the mobile app experience, especially when used on tablets. Some apps simply enlarge the mobile screen onto the tablet, but even that gives you a bigger image and finer control, making edits easier to see and adjust. More importantly, mobile apps are already the simplest way to gain access to AI enhanced auto adjustments without having to pay for the full desktop programs.
Learn Once, Apply Anywhere
Whether on desktop or mobile, Lightroom or Affinity, the language is the same. Exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows may look different, but they behave the same. Learn them once, and you can apply them anywhere.
Why Only This Software?
- Open source alternatives like GIMP (Photoshop equivalent) and Darktable (Lightroom equivalent) are free and powerful. The issue is that frequent major updates can disrupt workflows, especially for those who prefer stability over tinkering.
- For a reliable, long term solution, we recommend Photoshop Elements for enthusiasts who want a low cost, non subscription path despite Adobe’s move to a three year license. It covers almost everything most users need, and outgrowing it usually means you are ready for professional level tools.
- Affinity Photo V2 is another strong, one time purchase alternative. It does not include AI enhanced RAW auto features, so it requires a bit more technical know how.
- If you are looking to edit on the go, today's mobile apps already meet the needs of most enthusiasts. They also work well on tablets, giving you a larger screen to work with, and they are often very affordable.
- All in all, for stability, support, and affordability, Adobe’s ecosystem plus Affinity remains the most dependable choice.
