You don’t need a complicated photo app at all to edit your snaps on your Mac (Book). With Apple’s default Photos app, a simple (and free) alternative is available. We show how the app works.
The best Photos app tips
There are several good apps for macOS to edit your photos. Consider, for example, the fine Pixelmator, but many users also choose Photoshop. If you occasionally edit an image and you do not need all kinds of complicated options, it is better to choose the Photos app from Apple.
This is standard on your Mac and you do not have to purchase it separately. Most of the options you need are also available. Below are some tips for using the Photos app on the Mac.
1. Import and filter
Of course, every ‘photo editing session’ starts with importing a photo that you want to work with. This can be done in several ways in the Photos app. For example, you can drag a snapshot into the app, or use ‘Menu bar> Import’ to select a picture. You can find previously edited photos in the home screen.
Good to know is that you will see a filter option at the top right. There you can search faster for images on your Mac (Book) by, for example, only selecting ‘Photos, or choosing a previously edited snapshot. Screenshots can also be filtered separately.
2. Start editing
If you have chosen a photo, you can basically start editing. At the top of the screen you will find various options, for example to rotate the image or to quickly increase the contrast slightly. However, the real editing options only appear when you click on ‘Edit’ at the top right.
Then you will see the interface change to a more traditional photo app. You will also find a number of general options, on the right side the more specific editing options of the application. With the slider at the top left you can easily zoom in on the image, for example if you want to take a good look at a small detail.
3. Crop images
Many users will mainly use the Photos app to resize or crop images. These options can be found in the top bar under ‘Trim’. If you press this, you will see white stripes along the edges of the image, which you drag to crop the image.
On the right side you will find the option to mirror or crop the picture to a specific image size such as 16 by 9, or 4 by 3. To the right of the image you will see a kind of wheel, which you can use to zoom in and turn at the same time.
4. Simple filters for your snapshots
The Photos app also has a built-in filter option, which gives your image a nice effect in an Instagram-like way. The feature is fairly self-explanatory: tap ‘Filters’ at the top and choose an effect on the right. For example, you can transform images into a black and white photo, give them a warm or cool tone or a more cinematic effect. The options are not very extensive, but sufficient if you occasionally brighten up a picture.
5. Adjust colors
On the home screen of the Mac Photos app, you’ll also see options on the right to adjust the colors of a photo. By means of sliders you can adjust the light balance, enhance the colors or apply a black and white effect. You determine the intensity of these options yourself.
If you are not completely satisfied and you want more options, tap the arrow at ‘Options’. Then you see features such as ‘Neutral gamma’, ‘Tint’ and ‘Grain’. The latter is useful, for example, if you want to make a photo look slightly ‘rougher’.
6. Lots of other options
For the more demanding user, the Photos app really comes into its own if you start with the options at the bottom right. There you see, for example, the possibility to adjust the white balance, blur certain parts, remove red eyes or suppress noise. All important options are actually available.
The good thing is that the Photos app never gets very complicated, even if you have multiple effects and options open at the same time. It is always clear where you are and you can always undo edits. Also handy: if you messed up a photo and want to start all over again, click on ‘Reset adjustments’ at the bottom.
7. Save and share images
When you have finished editing and want to save your creation, click on ‘File> Export’ in the menu bar and choose a file name, the format and where you want to save the image. It is also possible to share the image directly from the Photos app with the well-known icon at the top. This can be done, for example, via AirDrop, Facebook and Twitter.
Read more about our Photography theme
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- Monthly theme overview: we wrote this about Photography in February (2/28/2018)
- This is how a professional iPhone photographer turns his photos into works of art (2/27/2018)