Edit Pictures on Mac: A Guide to the Photos App
Introducing Apple's Photos Application for OS X
The Photos application was initially launched as part of a significant update to the OS X operating system (version 10.10.3). Its primary function is to replace iPhoto as the standard photo management application for the majority of Mac users.
Essential Photo Editing Tools
Consequently, the application incorporates a range of fundamental, yet crucial, photo-editing capabilities.
Related: Learn how to refine your images using macOS' Photos application.
UPDATE: For information on the latest version, consult our comprehensive guide to picture editing within the macOS Photos app.
Exploring the Photos Interface
We previously covered Photos when discussing library relocation and iCloud sharing configurations. However, we hadn’t previously focused on the application’s core functionality.
Upon first launching Photos on OS X, the editing features aren’t immediately obvious. You must first select one or more photos and then enter editing mode to access them.
Navigating Your Photo Library
In the "Photos" view, images are organized chronologically. This view facilitates editing of photos individually.
Utilizing the back arrows allows for a broader perspective of your library, proving beneficial when swiftly reviewing extensive collections.
Editing Multiple Photos
Selecting the "Albums" view allows you to choose "All Photos" or any other album where you’ve categorized your images. This method is the most efficient way to edit multiple photos simultaneously, avoiding individual selection.
For instance, within the "All Photos" album view, double-clicking a photo enlarges it. From this point, the arrow keys can be used to navigate through your images.
Zooming and Split View
Here, you can toggle the split view on or off, displaying all photos within your album. The slider controls the zoom level.
Entering Edit Mode
With a photo selected, options in the upper-right corner allow you to mark it as a favorite, view its information, and, crucially, initiate the "Edit" function.
The editing mode differs significantly from the standard view. Clicking "Edit" darkens the interface and reveals editing tools along the right side of the window.
Similarities to iOS Photos Editor
There are considerable similarities between the OS X Photos editor and its iOS counterpart. Both feature a one-click "Enhance" button, a "Crop" function, filters, adjustment options, and a "Red-eye" remover.
Unique OS X Features
The primary distinctions lie in the separation of crop and rotate functions within the OS X version, and the addition of a "Retouch" button, enabling the removal of minor blemishes and imperfections.
Saving Your Edits
When editing, you can click "Revert to Original" to undo changes, or "Done" to exit and save your edits.
Note that clicking "Done" doesn’t finalize the process. You can always revert to the original image later.
Exporting Your Photos
To save a modified version of your photo, select "File" from the menu (in either View or Edit mode) and choose "Export." You can then export the edited photo, or the original, individually or in batches.
Conclusion
Using Photos for editing is straightforward and provides sufficient tools for most common tasks.
While these tools are basic and don’t match the capabilities of professional software like Photoshop or GIMP, they are often adequate for simple adjustments like cropping, filtering, or modifying brightness and contrast.
The most significant advantage of Photos is its seamless integration with iCloud. Any edits made are automatically synchronized across all your Apple devices, ensuring consistency between your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
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