Edit photos on Mac (macOS Catalina and later)

A Mac works using the macOS operating system. This article is written for the version macOS 10.15 Catalina and above. Do you have an older version of the system? Then get started with the article ‘Edit photos on the Mac (up to Mojave)’.

We’ll discuss how to edit photos with the Photos program. Not using the program yet? First read the articles ‘Import photos on Mac’ and ‘Manage photos on the Mac (macOS Catalina)’. It explains how to transfer photos to the computer and how to create an overview in your photo collection.

The Photos program allows you to import, manage, and edit photos.

• First, open the Photos program:
  • click on finder > apps.
  • Double click on photos.
• Thumbnails of photos appear. Double click on a photo to open it.

The photo appears large and can be edited.

Quickly and easily improve the photo? With the ‘Automatically enhance’ function, the program itself analyzes and improves the photo.

• Open a photo (following the steps in the ‘Opening Photos’ section).
• Click the magic wand icon at the top right .
• The photo has been corrected. Do you not want this adjustment? Then click the magic wand icon again.

It regularly happens that a photo does not appear correctly in the photo overview, for example on the side. That is easy to solve.

• Open a photo (following the steps in the ‘Opening Photos’ section).
• Click on the icon with the square and arrow at the top right .
• The photo rotates counterclockwise. Click the button as many times as necessary until the photo is in the right position.

Cropping a photo is useful if you only want to use part of the photo.

• Open a photo and click the button at the top right edit.
• Click the button above the photo crop.
• Click on the right side Ratio to select the format you want to use. You can choose one of the fixed ratios. If you want more freedom, choose ‘Free form’. We click on Square.
  
• The photo is adjusted. You can still adjust the crop by clicking on the photo, holding down the mouse button and dragging the mouse.
• click on Ready if the cut is to your liking.

Make your favorite photos even more beautiful with a filter.

• Open a photo.
• Click the button at the top right edit.
• Click the button above the photo Filters.
• Click on a filter.
• The processing starts immediately. Click on the different filters to see which one you like best.
• click on Ready once you have a nice filter.

Is the photo too light or too dark? This can also be adjusted in the Photos program.

• Open a photo.
• Click the button at the top right edit.
• Click the button above the photo Customize.
• Below each other you will see options for ‘Light’, ‘Color’ and ‘Black & White’. Move the sliders below the options to adjust the color.
• click on Ready if you are satisfied.

Smooth out blemishes and imperfections with the retouch tool.

• Open a photo.
• Click the button at the top right edit.
• Click the button above the photo Customize.
• Right click retouch.
• Move the slider over ‘Size’ to determine the size of the tool you use to edit the photo.
  
• Click on the disruptive element you want to remove. Do this until the element is gone.
• click on Ready.

You can always undo the edits.

• Click on the picture.
• Click the button at the top right edit.
• Click on the menu bar at the top Image > Restore original.