Digital image editing software has come a very long way in the last couple of decades. Indeed, the number and complexity of constantly evolving applications make it hard to determine which are the most efficient and effective in both cost and function. Regarding cost, see Thom Hogan’s article on PetaPixel for some clear-eyed value comparisons.

As to function, every photographer eventually develops a preferred workflow that suits his or her needs. Mine is Adobe Bridge/ACR/Photoshop, staying non-destructive as long as possible. However, now and then a new program comes along that really makes a difference—like DxO’s PureRAW2.

PureRAW2 is designed not as a replacement for a full RAW-processing/editing suite like ACR/Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, DxO PhotoLab, or others, but as a slimmed down modest-cost perpetual (non-subscription) application containing a few of DxO’s best features while integrating seamlessly with a Lightroom or ACR/Photoshop workflow. Here’s how it works: select a native RAW file (or files) to process, choose the desired level of RAW processing noise reduction, lens correction (or not), and output format (JPEG or DNG); then process, and the renamed file is saved to a DxO subfolder of the original image’s folder (or a folder of your choice). DxO’s noise reduction is excellent and their lens corrections are among the very best available. I’ve found the results using PureRAW2 so good—especially with older files—that I’m systematically reviewing and reprocessing selects from my entire digital archive. If you might be interested, there are lots of reviews, comparisons, and tutorials out there, and DxO offers a free 30-day trial.

-Story by Chuck Maas
chuck@imagingnorth.com