Software News

Despite the nearly universal acceptance of Photoshop as the editing program of choice for serious photographers, we’ve been keeping our eye on Affinity Photo—an award winning, $49 software alternative that Apple named the Best Mac App of 2015. Parent company Serif Labs has just upped the ante with version 1.5 that includes an array of new feature for both Mac and Windows users.

When we reviewed the previous version last year we were impressed by its unique working environment, or what Serif calls its “Persona,” and the variety of modules all housed under one roof. The new version, expected to be released this fall, represents the fifth major update of Affinity Photo—all of which are free to those who purchase the app.

Designed to deliver professional results, the app features non-destructive editing, raw processing, and retouching tools that work in real time. Serif boasts about the speed, unique appearance, and accuracy of the app.

New features in version 1.5 include a unique means of editing 360° images, advanced HDR merge producing full 32-bit linear color, batch processing for faster, smoother workflow, and macros to record and replay a set of commands. The upcoming update also includes focus stacking for multiple combined images and an entirely new workspace for tone mapping.

If you wonder if all this is really possible in a $49 app that provides free lifetime updates without requiring a subscription, take a look at the following video and see for yourself.

Affinity Photo 1.5 sneak peek from MacAffinity on Vimeo.