Third–party apps and extensions

LUMINAR AI $108, skylum.com

Luminar uses machine learning to recommend a suitable template (or file) for each image. It also enables you to creatively enhance a landscape by adding a new sky (without needing to be a compositing master). You can also summon it as a Photos extension.

DXO PHOTOLAB 4 $129, dxo.com

PhotoLab 4 uses machine learning to remove picture noise and color fringing while preserving important details. A powerful Control Point tool enables you to make selective adjustments to a sampled circular region. The downside is its inability to read Apple

ProRAW files.

LIGHTROOM CLASSIC $14.29 per month, adobe.com

If you have multiple hard drives with thousands of old DSLR photos then Lightroom Classic will help you create a catalog that knows where every file is located (even if the drive isn’t plugged into your Mac). Its powerful Raw processing tools make it essential for pro photographers.

PHOTODIRECTOR 365 $69.99 per year, cyberlink.com

PhotoDirector 365 looks similar in layout to Lightroom Classic but it benefits from a Guided mode that takes you through a range of advanced editing techniques. It also boasts eye-catching filters that will give your pictures extra impact on social media feeds.

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 2021 $145.19, adobe.com

This cut down version of Photoshop still gives you the ability to edit in layers and make powerful selective adjustments using masks. Guided Edits help you get to grips with a range of editing techniques. Unlike the full version, which is subscription– only, Photoshop Elements can be bought outright.

CAPTURE ONE 21 $470, captureone.com

Like Apple’s Photos, this app lets you make selective adjustments to shadows and highlights using sliders. It gives you greater control by enabling you to make adjustments to properties using brush-based styles. Here we’re teasing out more sky detail using a Deep Sky brush.