The digital world allows us to develop our creativity and express ourselves much more easily than the analog world. Thanks to new devices and storage cards, taking pictures is much easier, faster and cheaper than with old cameras and film. Retouching photos is also easier now and today we are going to show you a free program to improve your photos: Ashampoo Photo Optimizer .
We use the camera every day and many times the photos do not turn out as we had thought. The framing may be good but it may be that the light, contrast or other elements of the image do not turn out as we had in mind. To fix these problems, we can use a photo editor that helps us easily reach that image that we had thought before pressing the camera’s shutter button.
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer is a good option to start retouching your photos because it is free and has an automated command menu that will allow you to obtain quick results from the first moment.
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer, an automatic photo editor
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer’s user interface is very clear and stands out for the importance given to the image viewer , how could it be otherwise since it is an editor. Thanks to an image splitter, we will be able to compare the original image with the changes we make to it. Thus, we will quickly see if the result is as expected and, if it is not, we can undo the change with the command Ctrl + z. This divider can be configured to be used vertically or horizontally or removed.
The main advantage of Ashampoo Photo Optimizer is that it allows you to retouch the photo automatically and quickly thanks to a drop-down menu that appears at the bottom of the interface. By selecting one of its options, the program will fix noise, contrast or focus errors for us. The tool has an “auto optimize” option that will fix all the problems in the image at once.
If we are satisfied, we just have to press the “save file” button that appears on the right. If we want to fine-tune the adjustment, we can customize the toolbar to include the ” color correction ” option.
The top menu bar offers the usual options: file -manage image openings, closings and saves-, essential -undo changes-, view -apply the zoom or use the full screen-, configuration -save the destination of the images and change the language-, MiAshampoo -connects with technical support- and Help.
In the right column there are the manual controls to work with our images. We can change the color correction by altering the brightness, contrast, luminosity, saturation, tone and range. The program allows you to rotate the image -90 degrees to the left or right- and apply a mirror effect -vertical or horizontal. We will also be able to reframe the image. For this, the program offers both preconfigured options, which respond to the most used formats (4: 3, 16: 9, 1: 1), and the option to reframe it to our liking. In addition to modifying the frame, we have the option of resizing the image, reducing or enlarging the number of pixels. The last two options will allow us to print the photograph or delete it permanently.
Improve your results with its paid version
Ashampoo Photo Optimizer offers an advanced version for $ 29.99 that partially improves the free option and includes some very interesting utilities.
Image editing is enhanced by allowing you to adjust the color temperature and includes the ability to remove the annoying red eyes created by the flash and retouch the whites to make smiles look better. It also includes a bank of effects from more advanced programs.
It also includes advances in file management. With the paid version, you can automate processes and apply changes to several photos at the same time. It also integrates the Ashampoo server to store your photos in the cloud.
How to download Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
You have your full and free version of Ashampoo Photo Optimizer waiting for you on its website . The installation is guided by a wizard so you won’t have any problems. Also do not fear about unwanted installations since you will not receive proposals from third parties or they will try to install third party software without realizing it. Of course, it is virus free.
The system requirements are very basic as only a computer is required running a Windows 7, 8 or 10 operating system.
Please note that the free copy is for private use. If you want to use Ashampoo Photo Optimizer in your business or company or educational center, you will have to request a different license.
Best alternatives to Ashampoo Photo Optimizer
Advancing in the world of photo retouching is a very interesting option because you will learn a lot and, at the same time, it is a very creative activity. You can increase your knowledge through the following tools, all of them free.
Adobe Photoshop Express, the dominant option
Adobe‘s free tool beats Ashampoo’s because it includes many more default settings and eliminates red-eye, which was reserved for the paid version of Ashampoo Photo Optimizer. However, this tool does not allow the user to personally modify any parameter as all changes are made through the default settings.
If you are interested in quickly retouching your photographs in the environment of one of the most important companies in the sector, download the program from the Microsoft store .
Fotor, edit your photos from the browser
This web-bases option has two main advantages over the rest of the proposals: it will allow you to edit your photos as long as you have internet access and you will be able to add text and stickers to your photos. Like the other options, it has a long list of default effects that will effortlessly enhance your photos. In addition, it makes a 50MB cloud space available to the user where you can save the images you are working with.
There is a payment option that eliminates advertising in the browser, includes new filters, expands the space available in the cloud and makes more than 10,000 resources available to the user with which to work. The price is $ 39.99 per year or $ 8.99 per month.
Visit their website to improve your photos online, without installing any program.
Darktable, the free and open source option
Created by photographers and for photographers, this cross-platform, free and open source option differs from the previous options because it accepts more specific files (NEF, HDR) and includes more advanced editing options that allow you to take advantage of photos with high dynamic range . In addition, you will be able to make use of the modules created by other users, which will allow you to advance in the world of photo retouching.
Get your copy of the show on their home page .