Although cameras, even mobile phones, are taking better photos every time, it is almost always necessary to touch up some details to get the best finish. And to be able to do it in the best possible way, it is necessary, on the one hand, to shoot in RAW (something that practically all cameras allow today), and to have good software capable of reading image data and allowing us to modify it. And this is where Capture One comes out.
Capture One, also known as Capture One Pro, is one of the most complete photo editing and retouching programs that we can find on the net. This program is designed to allow us to develop RAW images in a similar way as Lightroom or Darktable allow, as well as being compatible with other photo formats such as JPEG and TIF.
This program has a large number of tools that will allow us to give the professional finish that our photos deserve. It is not exactly simple software to use, but if we dedicate time we will be able to do wonders with it in our photos.
Advantages of Capture One over its rivals
Often when we get used to using a program, it is difficult to make us change our minds. Therefore, each company seeks to give a distinctive touch to its programs so that it can differentiate itself from its rivals.
One of the main advantages that this program will offer us compared to other alternatives is personalization. Rather than having to adapt to a fixed interface, Capture One allows us to adapt the interface to our needs. Thus we will be able to take better advantage of the space on our screen and place each of the tools where it suits us best.
While many programs are unable to correctly read color data when developing RAW (which results in loss of color and quality), Capture One Pro has a large number of default camera profiles . This will allow users to achieve a much more realistic color when developing their RAW photos than with other programs. In addition, we will have ICC profiles for each camera model. It is one of the programs that opens RAW photos in the most
Nor can we forget the complete image manager . This program will allow us to upload all our photos at once and catalog them in different categories. In addition, we will also be able to open them directly from here to enter the editing section.
Capture One main tools
In addition to the advantages that we have discussed in the previous point, this software offers us a large number of tools and adjustments, many of which we cannot even find in Photoshop, the king of photo editing in the professional field.
Layers and masks for a fine touch-up
The first thing that strikes us about this program is the possibility of working with layers, just like Photoshop. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to editing and retouching our photos in RAW. We can apply and mix effects and touch-ups using layers, achieving unique and, very importantly, non-destructive aspects.
Thanks to the masks, another function also included in the program, we can paint directly on the photo (or on a layer), apply gradients and make all kinds of adjustments to give our photos a unique look.
Color and HDR
As we have explained, one of the strengths of this program is that it is compatible with the main color profiles of professional cameras. But it is not the only characteristic, related to color, that this program gives us.
Capture One has color balance tools that allow us to apply a fine adjustment to the color of our photographs. This, together with the color editor, we will be able to have absolute control over everything related to the color of our photos, both in RAW and in other formats.
Finally, indicate that this program has functions to recover the HDR effect of the photos, with results that are really surprising.
Curves and levels
Finally, as it could not be less in a software of this type, we are also going to find tools that will allow us to touch up the curves and levels of each of the photo channels: red, green and blue. This can be applied to the global photo or to any of the layers or masks that we have created.
Capture One also features a new curve called “Luma” that effectively controls luminosity without affecting hue or saturation.
Basic image editing
Of course, we can’t forget about the essential functions and features for editing photos. In addition, all the adjustments we make have an AI-based system that protects the photo from saturation and color transitions. Brightness adjustments also protect highlights. And saturation protects colors from burning.
We will also be able to improve the workflow thanks to the keyboard shortcuts, and we will even be able to easily copy the settings of a photo to apply them to others like it and save time in editing.
Nor can we forget the typical graining tools, noise reduction, repair layers, keystone correction, black and white conversion, white balance and even the ability to print our photos directly from Capture One.
Download Capture One
Capture One is a paid program, and also quite expensive. We can buy a full program license (without subscriptions) for 349 euros. This license will only be valid for the current version, but we can save on future versions. We can also buy together with the program a couple of 145 styles to improve the photos for 498 euros. Likewise, the perpetual license is only valid for the current version.
If we prefer, we can contract a subscription plan. This always includes the latest version of the program, along with 145 photo styles, for 220 euros a year.
If we want to test its full potential before checking out, we can download a trial version at no cost from the following link . This trial version lasts 30 days and has all the functions of the program unlocked to be able to test its full potential.
Alternatives for retouching photos
As we have seen, Capture One is one of the most complete programs that we can find to retouch and improve our photos. But we must also bear in mind that it is not exactly cheap software. Therefore, we may be interested in knowing some of the best features for this software:
- Adobe Lightroom – hands down the most popular RAW photo editing and photo retouching software. This is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud photo pack and has everything you need to allow us to edit our photos, both locally on the PC and from the cloud using one of the most advanced AIs on the market.
- Luminar : It is one of the most popular alternatives to Lightroom. Although not as complete as it is, and less like Capture One, it is an alternative that offers us everything necessary to retouch our RAW photos without having to spend a lot of money.
- Darktable : There is life beyond commercial software. This is one of the most complete free and open source alternatives that we can find to edit and retouch photos in RAW. For those who do not want to pay and are not looking for complications, one of the best alternatives that we can not stop trying.
- digiKam : Finally, this is another free and open source alternative. Although in some aspects it may be simpler than all of the above, it has very powerful tools that, for most users, will be more than enough.
