How to Edit Images Using Photos App on Mac (Complete Guide)

Jan. 27, 2021

While I prefer to have thebest photo editing appsat my disposal for enhancing my shots, they aren’t always on top of my mind. Especially when all I want is a handful of neat photo editing tools that can let me adorn my memorable shots without having to deal with complex software. At times, avariety of filtersprove to be more than handy in sprucing up the pics. At other times, easy-to-use adjustment tools for exposure, contrast, and shadows turn out to be exactly what I need beforesharing the imagesonsocial mediaor with loved ones. And for this purpose, I look no further than the stock Photos app for macOS. Let me show how you can edit images using the Photos app on Mac.

Photos app for macOS has got almost all the basic editing tools. For instance, it features a solid collection of filters, a neat cropping tool, and even provides the flexibility to make the needed adjustments for color, light, saturation, exposure, and more. Oh yes, the app has also got a super handy auto enhancement tool especially for the times where you want to beautify your pics without having to go through a tedious editing session.

The very first thing you should do before getting started with editing is to duplicate the image so that the original version will remain intact. As it’s known as the first step of editing photos, you shouldn’t fail to do it.

It’s worth pointing out that you need to chooseDuplicateto include the video portion, orDuplicate as Still Phototo pick just the still image when trying toduplicate a Live Photo.

2. There are six main tools located at the top:Zoom, Adjust, Filters, Crop, Rotate, and Automatic Enhancement.

Zoom in or Out on a Photo:

You can easily zoom in or out on a photo using the zoom slider. All you need to do is just click or drag the zoom slider left/right.

If you want to zoom in (to make the subject larger), either click onthe “+” buttonor drag the slider towards the right. And if you wish to make the subject smaller in the frame, either click onthe “-” buttonor drag the slider towards the left.

Photos app has got an impressive set of adjustment tools to let you fine-tune several crucial things like exposure, brightness, color, black and white, and more. To get going, click on theAdjust buttonat the top center.

After that, click on thearrownext to Light, Colour, or Black & White and then drag the slider to adjust everything in line with your needs. If you want the Photos app to automatically correct the image, click theAutobutton.

If you wish to discard your changes and revert to the original settings for a specific adjustment, simplydouble-click its slider. A blue tick shows up right next to the adjustment’s name to confirm that a change was made. Based on your needs, you can select or deselect the tick to enable/disable adjustment temporarily and check how it affects the photo.

If you want to adjust light, click thearrownext to Light and then hit the arrow next toOptions. After that, you can drag any of the sliders to fine-tune the look of your pic.

You can also fine-tune the saturation, vibrance, and color cast of your photo. To get it done, click on thearrow buttonright to Color. After that, click on thearrow rightnext to Options. Next, drag any of the sliders to change the appearance of your photo.

You can choose to place the pointer over a slider and press and hold the Option key to increase the slider’s range of values.

Photos app has also got some neat tools to make black-and-white adjustments. You can adjust the intensity of tones and grey areas as well as fine-tune your image’s grain.

Click on thearrowright next to Black & White. After that, hit thearrow buttonright next toOptions. Then, drag the slider to make the desired adjustments.

The Photos app for macOS comes with a handful of filters likeVivid, Vivid Warm, Vivid Cool, Dramatic, Dramatic Warm, Dramatic Cool, Mono, Silverton, and Noirthat you can use to instantly transform the look of your image. So, try out each one of them to see how well they go with your image.

If you want to make your photo look more attractive, brighter, or punchy go with the Vivid filter. And if you wish to make your pic appear retro, choose Mono filter. Do note that you can also adjust the intensity of the filter. Simply choose a filter and then click on it to fine-tune its intensity.

The cropping tool comes in handy when you want to get rid of certain portions of the image or improve its composition. Depending on your needs, you can crop an image to a custom aspect ratio, to a preset, or even constrain the pic to its original aspect ratio. Moreover, it also has a role to play when you wish to straighten photos to make them look better.

Simply, click on theCrop tooland then drag the handle to enclose the area of the image you want to keep. Check out the angle adjustment tool that can let you fine-tune the angle of the pic. Besides, there is also an option to automatically crop or straighten the photo.

Be sure to use theFlip and Aspecttools smartly to enhance the appearance of your image. As there is also a reset tool that can let you get rid of all the changes and start fresh, do not fail to go your all out.

The rotation tool has a role to play when you want to have more control over the appearance of your pic. You can click on therotate button in the toolbar to rotate the image anticlockwise. Continue to click on the rotate button until you get the desired orientation. If you want to rotate the image clockwise, Option-click the button.

Times when you don’t have much time to edit your pics, you should take full advantage of the“Auto Enhance”tool to have the color and contrast of your photo or get your video adjusted automatically. Just click on the auto-enhance button to make your shot look better instantly.

When you are happy with the result, click onDoneat the top right corner of the screen or just press Return to finish.

There is also an option to compare your photo before and after editing.

2. To view the original image, all you need to do is justclick and hold the Without Adjustments buttonor press and hold the M key. After that, release the button/the M key to view the edited item.

One of my favorite editing features of the Photos app is the ability to copy and paste the adjustments. It plays a key role in accelerating photo editing, especially when you have to edit a ton of images.

Once you have adjusted a photo/video, you can copy the adjustments that you have made and then paste them on other items. Bear in mind that you are allowed to paste adjustments onto one item at a time. Also, do note you won’t be able to copy and paste the settings from the retouch tool, red-eye tool, crop tool, or third-party extensions.

2. Now, select theImagemenu and click onCopy Adjustments.

3. Next,double-clickthe item to which you want to apply the adjustments and then click onEdit.

4. Next up, select theImage menuand click onPaste Adjustments. Besides, you can also control-click an item in the editing view and select Copy Adjustments or Paste Adjustments.

What if you don’t like the changes you have made to your photo and wish to revert it to the original? Well, there is a quick way to get rid of all the adjustments. If you want to discard all changes and start over, choose the item in question. Then, click on theImage menuand selectRevert to Original.

Note:If you wish toundo the last changeyou made, click on theEdit menuand choose Undo or pressCommand-Z.

Edit Images Using Photos App on Mac Like a Pro

So, that’s how you can unlock all the handy editing tools of the Photos app for Mac. As I said above, the stock photos app has got all the basic editing toolsjust like its iOS counterpart, so make the best use of them to enhance the appearance of your photos with ease.

Have you found this article helpful? Do shoot your thoughts in the comments. Also, take a look at these equally useful guides like how toenable fast user account switching,how to use new battery settingsandhow to send iMessage with text effects on Macif you want to explore more hacks.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.