From Digital Camera World · · 3m
I ditched Photoshop after 15 years for free Affinity
A professional photographer switched to Affinity Photo and never looked back, discovering a capable alternative that costs nothing.
In brief
A professional photographer switched to Affinity Photo and never looked back, discovering a capable alternative that costs nothing. Affinity Photo is a genuinely capable professional photo editor that's completely free, with no subscription required for core features. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
15 years with Photoshop, gone
After a decade and a half using Adobe Photoshop as his main photo editor, Sebastian Oakley completely switched to Affinity Photo five months ago and has no desire to return.
“After using Photoshop as my photo-editing software of choice for around 15 years, I went cold turkey”
Not just a trial run
Oakley didn't just test Affinity casually. He edited JPEGs, TIFFs, and DNG RAW files from multiple camera systems, handling the same everyday photographic work he previously gave to Photoshop.
“I have edited JPEGs, TIFFs and DNG RAW files from multiple camera systems”
Every Photoshop feature replicated
Affinity matched every action Oakley regularly performed in Photoshop, and the transition was easier than expected. The software handled layers, masks, curves, selections, adjustments, retouching, and RAW development without issues.
“For my workflow, Affinity has effectively replicated every single action I regularly performed in Photoshop”
Completely free, no strings
Affinity Photo is genuinely free to download and use with all professional tools included. No trial period, no restricted features, no subscription required for the core application.
“Affinity is completely free. Not free for seven days. Not free with a heavily restricted feature set.”
One small caveat
Generative AI features like Generative Fill and Generative Expand require a premium Canva subscription. Oakley never used these in Photoshop anyway, so the loss had no impact on his workflow.
“I never really used those features when I was paying for Photoshop anyway”
Free software usually has catches
Historically, free photo editors come with missing features, awkward interfaces, or limited RAW support. Affinity breaks that pattern with a professional-grade experience that doesn't feel compromised.
“free photo-editing software has historically come with compromises”
Not a lightweight alternative
Affinity isn't attempting to be a basic Photoshop substitute. For Oakley's professional photography work, it has become a complete replacement, not a workaround.
“This is not Affinity attempting to be a lightweight Photoshop alternative”
Version 3.3 biggest photography update
Affinity just released version 3.3, described as its biggest photography update yet. It focuses on RAW development with reusable presets, improved sharpening, wider camera support, and a new Astrophotography Studio.
“Version 3.3 has just arrived, with Canva describing it as Affinity's biggest photography update yet”
RAW presets change the game
The new reusable RAW presets let photographers apply a consistent look across entire shoots and into panoramas and focus merges. This practical feature matters when processing larger batches of images.
“RAW presets are probably one of the additions that interests me most”
Meaningful updates, no new bills
Affinity keeps receiving substantial updates without charging users. Canva has committed to free updates and new features continuing over time, a stark contrast to Adobe's subscription model.
“Affinity keeps receiving meaningful updates without suddenly presenting the user with another bill”
iPad version coming soon
Affinity is developing an iPad version with no announced release date yet. Putting professional RAW editing and retouching on iPad without a subscription fee could be genuinely disruptive for photographers.
“When that arrives, I think Affinity could become an even more disruptive proposition for photographers”
Free removes the barrier
Free software eliminates the hardest part of trying something new. There's no purchasing decision or subscription calculation, just download and test with a RAW file.
“Free software removes the hardest part of convincing somebody to try something new”
No compromises, just relief
After five months, Oakley expected to find workarounds and regrets. Instead, Affinity has been a breath of fresh air that freed his workflow from an unavoidable subscription he'd accepted for years.
“I expected leaving Adobe to involve compromises, workarounds and probably the occasional moment of admitting that I had made a mistake”
Why didn't he leave sooner
Oakley spent 15 years paying Adobe because Photoshop was simply part of his photographic life. Affinity has made him question why he accepted that recurring cost for so long.
“Affinity has made me question why I accepted that recurring cost for so long”
What it means
Affinity Photo is a genuinely capable professional photo editor that's completely free, with no subscription required for core features.
