This software is compatible with different file types, such as JPEG, RAW, PNG, TIFF, GIF, PDF, PSD, as well as with other files. The iOS version has the same functionality as the desktop one. You can change all the details you would expect including file type, image quality, file name, and also apply final sharpening. You start in the library and organize your photos. You can save the history of your edits in a separate file. I do not feel there is a clear overall winner as each program has a slightly different target audience. Overall, it is a simpler interface than what Lightroom offers. High price. It’s convenient when you need to spend much time editing every photo, but it is not handy when you should edit a great number of pictures for a short period of time. With the help of this app, you can open RAW files and Lightroom mobile presets. Thus, it might be difficult to find an image that you need. Having a vast collection of photos makes photo management a necessity. It has an extensive photo management system which is mainly contained within the library pane. What’s more, you can use numerous Lightroom plugins for fast and easy Lightroom batch editing. When you import a file, you can indicate keywords, edit the destination or use presets. The minimum recommended RAM for Lightroom is 4GB, and truthfully, even that this is insufficient – especially if you have a huge catalog of RAW photos. It’s also possible to apply new effects or combine different types of lighting. While you can change ligatures, it’s impossible to achieve the same results as in Illustrator. You can simply open photos and files using the basic file manager and create folders within that window. In Lightroom, you find these settings on the Develop tab. If you want to use other ones, you are to move to the tabs above the tools. In what cases should you use Lightroom and when it’s better to work with Affinity? If you need more storage, you can upgrade to the 1TB plan which is $19.97 per month. Learn how your comment data is processed. As for Affinity Photo, it is used to perform basic picture retouching of each picture separately. On the left, there is the main toolbar, whilst in the center is the image preview. The name is an abbreviation of three words ‒ Hue, Saturation and Luminance. It has much lower system requirements, and it is not as process intense. Graphics: DirectX 10-compatible or better, Graphics: DirectX 12-compatible or better. I use this feature regularly as it helps me identify which photos I still need to edit. After 7 days of use, you need to purchase a licensed version to keep using this software. Apart from basic image retouching options, such as lighting, burning, cloning, patching and removing stains or a red-eye effect, Affinity offers such tools as magic drawing brush and others. Creating image editing software, the developers want to make them unique and impress the users with new functions which are not available in other programs. If you need both photo editing and photo management, Lightroom is definitely the better option. Read more about us or contact us. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. A single (and affordable) fee, no monthly subscription, and no strings attached. Selections. If you compare Affinity Photo vs Lightroom, you will notice that the former has workplaces called personas. Check your email to download You have an ability to reduce the dynamic range of the shot, darken the lightest part of it. Each of them comes with a set of icons that you need for solving a particular task. When looking at software, you should always check the system requirements. A well-thought-out user interface. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Mobile app. Besides editing photos and photoshoots, I'm fond of writing in-depth blog posts about camera gear, Photoshop or Lightroom, and photography tricks. It can also be used as a photo catalog software. Nevertheless, if you are engaged in professional photo editing and retouching, Affinity Photo is an ideal option. I also love the radial and graduated filters and the adjustment brush. Lightroom has a simple layout that is split into different workflows. Serif Affinity Photo team made it the other way. Comparing the price of the monthly subscription to the one-off Affinity Photo fee, its very clear that you save more with an Affinity Photo software purchase. The program is incompatible with Photoshop plug-ins. I like this function and believe that those who use stock images will also appreciate it. Paul frequently shares his travel photography tips on his travel blog and writes for known photography publications. In Affinity Photo, the Curves is a more professional tool. Also, it has a decent range of artistic presets including black and white shots and different lighting settings. Affinity Photo vs Lightroom, who will be the winner? Affinity is much more sophisticated than Lightroom when it comes to local editing. Your email address will not be published. Hey, I’m Sara. Affinity Photo is relatively simple to grasp, and you can quickly understand how to edit image parameters or create raster graphics. You can easily turn your photos into masterpieces. If you compare Affinity Photo vs Lightroom, you will notice that the former has workplaces called personas. Users appreciate the ability to work with layers since it opens many picture retouching functions. But they are very inconvenient to work with. The thing is that they are situated in a random way and it is not convenient to apply them. After considering the performance, it’s time to check the basic layout and how easy the program is to use. Required fields are marked *. There are basic photo retouching tools in Lightroom, however, it doesn’t have any pro-level options for complex photo editing tasks. If you don’t need photo management then feel free to skip this section! Affinity Photo resembles many Adobe Ps tools. They are great for quick photo editing. These tools are especially useful in batch image editing. Batch editing is done in the background mode, so you can process hundreds of files and keep working on other projects. Purchasing software subscriptions is a popular option that allows users to continually receive updates and pay for the software at a more affordable rate. It is really convenient since you may crop the pictures in various ways and create many copies of them. Overall performance is also a factor you want to consider. PhotoWorkout is an online magazine reviewing and comparing the best photography gear, software, and photo prints. If you compare Affinity vs Lightroom by price, the former is cheaper. Photographers use the Curves tool to correct the hues and contrast in the images. Read the article presenting photo editing software comparison and find out the pros and cons of using these two programs. You can save your file in a DNG format, use presets, add metadata information, copy pictures, organize photos in albums, rename files, etc. Once you have edited a file in a graphical editor of your choice, you can open the image in Lightroom. Get one email per week for one year (Unsubscribe at any time). Affinity Photo allows creating a virtual replacement for your photo studio. Both are popular photo editing programs and are well-known for their quality and features. Related Post: How to Edit Photos (Ultimate Guide). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sign up for our newsletter to get 52 free photography tips. How to Watermark Your Images: The Normal Way or Using Photoshop Watermark Actions? Is there a clear winner when comparing Affinity Photo vs Lightroom? Affinity Photo is also incompatible with other programs. By creating a virtual copy, you can leave a source file unchanged. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I feel that Affinity Photos features are geared more towards digital artists’ needs, than pure for post-processing purposes. Each of them comes with a set of icons that you need for solving a particular task. Alternatively, you can supercharge Affinity Photo by coupling it with the Nik Collection plugins and then buy a set of Nik Collection Presets & Recipes. This is something you cannot do with Lightroom. However, this function is not an essential one. The post-processing tools give you complete control over the image and you can easily edit parameters like HSL, brightness, vibrance, and white balance. On my computer, both software performed well. At the top, you will see the context menu and the top panel. Moreover, applying Gradient and Shadows effect, you may darken the necessary part and the gradient will “move” from the darkened zone to the original picture. It is valued by photographers who have experience of working with different equipment.