How to Edit Pictures on a Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting Started with Photo Editing on Mac

Before diving into the editing process, it's essential to choose the right software. Macs come with built-in applications, but there are also powerful third-party options available.

Built-in Applications

1. Photos App: A user-friendly application that comes pre-installed, perfect for quick adjustments
2. Preview: While primarily a PDF viewer, Preview offers basic image editing capabilities

Third-Party Applications

• Adobe Photoshop - Industry standard for professional editing
• Affinity Photo - Powerful, one-time purchase alternative to Photoshop
• GIMP - Free, open-source alternative
• Pixelmator Pro - Designed specifically for Mac
• Pixlr - Browser-based editor

Step-by-Step Guide to Editing Photos

Step 1: Import Your Photos

• Photos App: Open Photos, click "File" in the menu bar, and select "Import"
• Third-Party Apps: Most allow drag-and-drop importing

Step 2: Basic Adjustments

Light and Color Adjustments

Within the Adjust panel, you'll find several tools:

• Brilliance
• Exposure
• Highlights
• Shadows
• Brightness
• Contrast
• Black Point
• Saturation
• Vibrance
• Warmth

Pro Tip: Double-click any slider to reset it to its default value.

Cropping and Straightening

1. Select the Crop tool
2. Drag the corners to adjust the frame
3. Use the angle wheel to straighten the image
4. Click "Done" to apply changes

Step 3: Advanced Editing Techniques

Retouching and Healing

1. Select the Retouch tool
2. Adjust the brush size
3. Click or drag over areas you want to fix

Working with Filters

The Photos app includes several built-in filters:

Vivid
Dramatic
Dramatic Warm
Dramatic Cool
Mono
Silvertone

Step 4: Save and Export

1. Click "Done" to save changes
2. To preserve the original, go to File > Duplicate before editing
3. Export by selecting File > Export > Export Photo

Working with Live Photos

• Toggle the Live Photo effect using the yellow button
• Select key frames from the timeline
• Apply effects like Loop or Bounce

Best Practices

• Always work on a copy of your original photo
• Use non-destructive editing when possible
• Save frequently during complex edits
• Maintain proper backup of original images
• Start with small adjustments and build up gradually
• Experiment with different tools and settings

For regular photo editing tasks, the built-in Photos app will serve most users well. However, if you need more advanced features like layers, masks, or advanced color correction, consider investing in one of the professional alternatives mentioned above. You can find plenty of resources and tutorials on websites like Adobe Creative Cloud and Apple Support.