Affinity Photo has quietly become one of the most popular Photoshop alternatives in the world.
If you are new to Affinity Photo, the interface can feel a little overwhelming at first. Let me show you the core concepts, the essential tools, and a simple edit workflow that will have you comfortable with the software in an afternoon.
You will learn how Affinity thinks about editing, and how to get from a raw import to a polished final image.
What is Affinity Photo?
Affinity Photo is a professional photo editing application made by Serif. It competes directly with Photoshop, offers layers, masks, retouching tools and RAW processing, and runs on Mac, Windows and iPad with full feature parity.
It sits in a slightly different category from Lightroom. Think of Affinity Photo as a Photoshop replacement (pixel-level editing, compositing, retouching) rather than a Lightroom replacement (library management, batch processing).
Why Choose Affinity Photo
There are several good reasons photographers choose Affinity Photo, and one or two reasons they stay with Photoshop. Understanding both helps you decide whether the switch is worth it for you.
Fast Performance on Modern Hardware
Affinity Photo is famously fast. It handles very large files, complex layer stacks and 16-bit RAW edits without slowing down — even on mid-range laptops that struggle with recent versions of Photoshop.
Full iPad Version
The iPad version (for Affinity Photo. Affinity Studio pending app) is not a stripped-back mobile edit — it is the full application with the full toolset. If you want to edit on a tablet in the same way you do on a computer, Affinity Photo has a clear edge over every other editor.
Understanding the Affinity Photo Workspace
The first thing that trips up Photoshop users is Affinity’s concept of Personas. Instead of cramming every tool into one interface, Affinity splits the workspace into different modes depending on what you are doing.
The Main Personas
There are five personas in Affinity Photo — Photo, Liquify, Develop, Tone Mapping and Export. You switch between them using the icons at the top-left corner. Each one surfaces only the tools you need for that kind of work.
The Photo Persona
This is where you will spend most of your time. It handles pixel editing, retouching, masking, layers and compositing. If you are coming from Photoshop, this is the closest equivalent and most of your keyboard shortcuts will feel familiar.
The Develop Persona
When you open a RAW file, Affinity switches automatically into the Develop Persona. This is Affinity’s RAW processor, equivalent to Lightroom’s Develop module, with sliders for exposure, white balance, tone curves and noise reduction.
Essential Tools Every Beginner Should Know
You do not need to learn every tool on day one. These are the handful of tools that cover 80% of everyday photo editing.
Layers and Adjustment Layers
Like Photoshop, Affinity uses layers as the foundation of non-destructive editing. Adjustment layers (Curves, Levels, Black & White, HSL) let you change the image without touching the original pixels — so you can always backtrack.
The Healing and Inpainting Brushes
The Inpainting Brush removes small distractions with a single stroke — dust spots, stray hairs, litter in the foreground. For larger or more complex fixes, the Healing Brush and Clone Tool give you more precise control.
Selections and Masks
Affinity’s selection tools (Flood Select, Selection Brush, Pen) are powerful and precise. Pair them with layer masks — the black/white rectangle next to a layer — to apply edits only where you want them.
Your First Edit Workflow
Here is a simple six-step workflow that works for almost any photo. Run through it a few times on real images and you will build fluency quickly.
- Open your RAW file — Affinity automatically switches to the Develop Persona.
- Adjust exposure, contrast, white balance and tone curves in Develop, then click Develop to move into the Photo Persona.
- Crop and straighten using the Crop Tool.
- Add an adjustment layer (Curves or Levels) to fine-tune overall contrast.
- Use the Inpainting Brush to remove any small distractions.
- Add a final subtle sharpening layer and export via File > Export.
Save your working file as a .afphoto to keep all your layers intact, and export a JPEG or TIFF for sharing or printing. The original RAW file is never modified — you can always return and start again.
“Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase.”
Affinity Photo vs Photoshop: Key Differences
Affinity Photo covers most of what Photoshop does, but there are a handful of differences that matter if you are switching across.
What You Gain
One-off pricing, strong iPad support, and a clean interface split by Personas. Affinity is often faster on the same hardware, especially with very large files, and the export workflow is more flexible out of the box.
What You Lose
Affinity does not have Photoshop’s Generative Fill AI tools or the same deep integration with the Adobe ecosystem. Third-party plugin support exists but is narrower than Photoshop’s enormous plugin library.
File Compatibility
Affinity reads and writes PSD files, including most layer types. For 95% of everyday work, you can move files between Affinity and Photoshop without major issues.
Micro FAQ
How much does Affinity Photo cost?
Affinity Photo is a one-off purchase. Pricing changes with new major versions but it is typically a fraction of a year of Photoshop’s subscription cost, and includes the Mac, Windows and iPad versions.
Can I use Affinity Photo for professional work?
Yes. Many professionals use Affinity Photo as their main editor, particularly for retouching, composite work and commercial print output.
Is Affinity Photo good for beginners?
Absolutely. The Persona system makes it easier to find the tools you need than Photoshop’s single-interface approach, and there is a large library of free learning resources.
Does Affinity Photo replace Lightroom?
Not really. Affinity Photo handles individual image editing brilliantly but does not include Lightroom’s library management, keywording or batch processing features.
Should I use the desktop or iPad version?
Both. They are genuinely identical in features, and files sync between them. Many users edit on the iPad when travelling and on the desktop when at home.
Final Thoughts
Affinity Photo is a genuinely professional editor that happens to come without a subscription. For most photographers it will cover everything they need, from RAW processing to retouching to output for print and web.
Start by learning the Photo and Develop Personas, get comfortable with layers and adjustment layers, and follow a simple edit workflow on a handful of images. Within a few days you will wonder why you waited so long to try it — and your wallet will be pleased you did.
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