Serif PhotoPlus X5 September 2011
Advanced photo-editing software
Serif is hoping to persuade keen photographers to upgrade from free photo-editing to PhotoPlus X5. It also hopes that PhotoPlus X5 will become a tempting alternative to the well-known Adobe Photoshop Elements. We take a first look.
What is Serif PhotoPlus X5?
Serif PhotoPlus X5 is the latest version in Serif's PhotoPlus series of photo-editing software. Photo-editing software allows you to make changes to your digital photographs, from altering brightness and colour, to removing blemishes and cutting out larger objects and people
Photo-editing software falls into one of two categories. More and more free programs are available, for example Microsoft Live Photo Gallery 2011. Most, but not all, of these are quite basic, but they tend to be easy to use and contain all the features that most people would want.
The second category is paid-for software, like Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, and Serif PhotoPlus X5. These usually come with plenty of power and tools that keen photographers will appreciate.
What kind of features does Serif PhotoPlus X5 have?
Tooth whitening, with Serif PhotoPlus X5
As well as all the basic image manipulations like adjusting colours and lighting, there are lots of filters and quick fixes to choose from. It is easy, for example, to give your image a watercolour, oil painting, intense, glamour, metropolis, or one of the many special effects. Not only that, but there's plenty of potential for fine tuning to get your photo exactly as you want it. The level of control and amount of options available is huge, far greater than you would get with free software.
Portrait photographers can smooth skin, apply a suntan and whiten teeth. It's also possible to selectively sharpen and defocus, so you can sharpen the subject and blur the background.
PhotoPlus X5 also features batch processing, so you can apply the same change to several photos quickly without having to open and edit each one manually. It can also read RAW images, an alternative to JPEG. Many bridge cameras and all Digital SLR cameras can be set to take RAW images. These images require more work in photo-editing software, but if you are prepared to put in the effort, results can be more spectacular than a good JPEG image.
There's also a photo organiser to help you file and retrieve your photos conveniently.
What is the interface like?
Serif PhotoPlus X5 is quite daunting to look at initially, not helped by the uninteresting background and numerous small buttons. On the plus side though, there is a very helpful "How to" window on the left, with excellent step-by-step instructions on how to achieve many of the comprehensive photo alterations that the software offers. Even better, there is a "Do this for me" option associated with many of these steps.
After an initial learning period, the software becomes a bit more familiar. Each alteration you've made is listed in the bottom right of the screen, making it easy to see what you've done. You can also easily undo an alteration you made several steps ago, without having to 'Undo' all the alterations you've made since.
Some of the more complex tools take a few seconds to register, even if you have a fast computer.
How does it compare with other photo-editing software?
Serif PhotoPlus X5 costs around £70, a little less than Adobe Photoshop Elements, but more than most paid-for photo-editing software options. A mini flexible tripod is included, a useful accessory help you achieve sharp shots.
Overall, we were impressed with PhotoPlus X5, but it is expensive and contains far more features than most people will ever use.
- Read our full review of Serif PhotoPlus Essentials, a much cheaper Serif package
- Save money on software with our guide to free software
- Make good videos great, with video-editing software
