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A Guide to Post-Processing Software
Kamera Express
Software needed for post-processing
You've spent a day out with your camera taking the most beautiful photos and the coolest videos. Now you want to play back all these recordings on your computer and edit them here and there to get even more out of them. For this, you can choose from various editing programs. Find out on this page which one is most suitable for you!
Before you start with post-processing…
If you want to get the most editing possibilities out of your photos and videos, it's best to shoot photos and film in RAW. This means that the files you create are still unprocessed. The moment you switch to JPEG, the camera itself already performs a number of actions and corrections, such as sharpening and reducing the size of the photo. Details will be lost as a result. Still, JPEG files offer plenty of options for making changes, as long as you keep the goal in mind: perfecting the photo or video!
Different editing software
If you want to get started with editing your visual material, it's a good idea to get an editing program. You can choose between paid and free software. Of course, paid software offers more possibilities. Below, we've listed the options for you.
Paid software for photo editing
Adobe Photoshop Elements
With Photoshop Elements, the focus is mainly on easily editing, organizing, and sharing photos. In this program, you can automatically organize your photos and perform basic edits, so you spend less time on the editing process. In addition to its photo editing capabilities, the program also offers plenty of options for adjusting videos.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Lightroom offers a wide range of creative possibilities that allow you to take the quality of your photos to a higher level. Setting the white balance, adjusting contrasts, fine-tuning the colors — it's all part of what you can do. In the program's clear interface, you can make adjustments using sliders and filters.
Corel PaintShop Pro
Looking for a cheaper alternative to Adobe? Then consider Corel PaintShop Pro. Like Adobe, Corel is a player that has been active in the software world for a long time. Just like with Adobe, you can pull out all the stops with Corel when editing your photos — from restoring details to adding color effects. The editing possibilities are endless.
Paid software for video editing
Adobe Premiere Elements
Adobe Premiere Elements gives you the tools to start working with your videos. You can perfect your videos by making corrections such as stabilization, adjusting colors and white balance, or fixing audio issues. After that, you can add all kinds of effects like transitions, menus, and additional audio. Once your video is completely ready, you can save it to your computer or share it directly on your social media channels.
Corel Pinnacle Studio
A cheaper but no less capable alternative to Adobe Premiere Elements is Corel Pinnacle Studio. For some people, this program may have an easier user interface than Adobe Premiere Elements. This editing program comes in three different versions: Standard, Plus, and Ultimate. The Standard version offers basic features, while the Ultimate version provides the most possibilities.
Nero
The Nero brand is mainly known for burning, copying, and archiving your media files. But with this program you can also make adjustments to your photos and videos, just like with Adobe and Corel. You can then burn them to a CD or archive them on your computer. With the help of various tutorials in the Nero app, you can get a good grasp of the program and its features.
Free software for photo editing
Pixlr
Pixlr is an editing program that you can easily use through your web browser. There are three versions of this program: Express, Editor, and Pixlr-o-matic. The Express version mainly offers basic functions, while with Editor you have more editing options, such as applying filters or color effects. Pixlr-o-matic is ideal for when you want to quickly crop a photo or add a filter.
GIMP
A good alternative to Photoshop is GIMP. The program consists of various tools that allow you to edit in layers. Straightening the horizon, performing color corrections, and removing blemishes — these are just a few of the possibilities. The professional appearance and logical layout of the program make it easy to navigate.
RawTherapee
It's a smart idea to have RAW files of your visual material. That way, you have all the information at hand to make corrections. You can use the RawTherapee program to edit these files. The clear layout and the use of sliders for making adjustments make this program a great alternative compared to the paid versions.
Free software for video editing
DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is a video editing program that allows you to get started editing your 4K videos. This program offers the option to add effects and adjust colors. For making only small adjustments, the free version of DaVinci is sufficient. If you want more possibilities, you’ll need to purchase the paid version.
Lightworks
Lightworks is an editing program that you can work with effectively. The user interface offers a clear overview when editing your videos. You place the clips on the timeline, where you can then also add effects, audio, and text. In the free version, you can only create videos at a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, and you cannot export 4K videos.
OpenShot Video Editor
An editing program for videos with a simple user interface is OpenShot Video Editor. When you start the program, you get an explanation of its various functions. You can place your video clips on the timeline, then add transitions, color effects, and audio. The program saves your creation in file formats such as mp4 and mov.
Which editing program is most suitable?
Each of the editing programs listed does what it's supposed to do — making adjustments to your photos and videos, whether you're a beginner or more experienced. The free versions of the programs offer you enough possibilities to make standard adjustments. If you want to do more and have more options, the paid versions are most suitable. Which program is most suitable for you depends on what you want to do. Editing photos is, of course, easier than editing videos.
Beginner
If you only want to make small adjustments, the following programs are most suitable for you. This way, you can get a feel for editing photos and later switch to a program with more options. Note: some free programs have a slightly more complicated user experience than others. The following programs are most suitable for a beginner:
- Pixlr
- GIMP
- RawTherapee
- Lightworks
- OpenShot Video Editor
- Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Corel Pinnacle Standard
Advanced
If you want a bit more flexibility when editing your photos and videos, you can get along well with the (paid) standard versions. These versions offer just a bit more than the free versions, but without options you might not use. The following programs are most suitable for this:
- Corel Pinnacle Plus
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Premiere Elements
- DaVinci Resolve
Professional
If you really want to pull out all the stops with your visual material, consider choosing the most extensive paid versions. That way, you'll have every creative possibility you can think of. The following programs are most suitable for this:
- Corel Pinnacle Ultimate
- Corel PaintShop Pro
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Useful accessories for post-processing
When editing your visual material, there are some handy and essential accessories that can help you get the most out of your photos and videos. Below, we've put together a small overview of tools that shouldn't be missing.
Books
Whether you already know all the tricks of Adobe or Corel, or are just starting out with editing, books can lend you a helping hand. They explain the functionality and possibilities of the programs and let you become familiar with the working environment. In our webshop you’ll find books that can help you get started.
Calibration system
Choosing the right colors when editing can sometimes be tricky, because it can happen that you set the colors just a little too dark or too light. When you then print out the photos, they don't match what you had in mind. Gray cards and calibration systems can offer a solution.
Storage
After you've edited your photos and videos, it's useful to save them so you can look back at them later. Of course, you can do this in a folder on your computer or in the Cloud, but it's always handy to have a backup on external storage, such as a hard drive or USB stick. That way, you'll always have your visual material at hand.
