Paint.NET

When editing photos on your computer, you never know the features you might need, and users often overdo it by using advanced tools such as Adobe Photoshop to perform basic operations such as brightness/contrast adjustments and cropping. A better approach is having a tool that can do both: from simple to complex!

Layers and essential adjustments

Paint.NET is a good example. The classic desktop tool is available for free. You can choose to donate money on their website or purchase the paid app on the Microsoft Store. Paint.NET supports layers, which can be used to edit the photo by editing parts of it independently. There are also many features you already expect, such as various adjustments (brightness, contrast, hue, curves, saturation, and levels).

Special effects and interface quirks

Some special effects include sharpening, distortion, red-eye removal, or blurring the image. For users looking for even more features, you can always download community plugins to expand the software. Its user interface is not so modern. Options such as Colors, History, or Layers appear in independent windows. This is neat since you can move them around easily, but it makes the workspace feel a bit cluttered.

Unlimited history and final thoughts

Paint.NET also remembers all the changes you have made to the image, and you can undo your way back to the beginning if you want! The app is great, but it can't replace Adobe Photoshop for many different purposes. Think of it as a lighter alternative to GIMP for users who prefer the simpler approach!