Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
The interface of the Adobe Photoshop for mobile app, edits of a model against a blue sky
Creative Software Photoshop finally gets a pro-grade Android app – here are 3 reasons why I'm excited to try the free version
Adobe Express during our review
Software & Services Adobe Express (2025) review
Adobe Express new tools with three options against a pink-orange background
Pro The 7 Adobe Express updates creators and marketers need to know about
Three iPhones on a red and orange background showing the new Photoshop app
Software & Services How to focus on an object in Photoshop
CyberLink PhotoDirector during our tests
Pro Best photo editor of 2025
Adobe Photoshop Select tool in use for an image of two people in bright clothing outside on a sunny day
Creative Software The 5 biggest new Photoshop, Firefly and Premiere Pro tools that were announced at Adobe Max London 2025
Adobe Express for Ads on the platform
Pro Adobe launches new Express tool for small businesses - and I spoke exclusively to its chief to find out the top 5 things you need to know
  1. Computing
  2. Software
  3. Creative Software

Make your photos look amazing for free with Adobe Photoshop Express

How-to
By Cat Ellis published 29 May 2017

Top-quality photo editing tools for everyone

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Adobe Photoshop is the tool of choice for professional photographers the world over. Its enormous toolset gives experts an incredible degree of control over their pictures, enabling them to tweak and edit their shots to pixel perfection. That kind of power doesn’t come cheap though, and although Photoshop’s interface is quite intuitive, it takes a long time to master.

That’s where Adobe Photoshop Express comes in. This fantastic free photo editor is essentially a cross between Photoshop and Instagram, with simple but effective tools to help you correct common photographic flaws, plus an array of fun filters for a touch of vintage flair. There are a few paid-for options, but the vast majority of its tools and features are completely free.

For a limited time, you can sign in with a free Adobe ID to get premium features like noise reduction and extra filters. Just install the software as normal, then follow the instructions the first time you run it. 

Photoshop Express very easy to use, with a simple interface that’s ideal for mice and fingertips alike. Download it and let's get started.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
1. Compose and crop

1. Compose and crop

Open the photo you want to edit and select the ‘Crop’ icon at the bottom left. Large handles will appear at each corner of your picture. While cropping your snaps, it’s worth bearing in mind the rule of thirds – a guide to composition that can help you create more dramatic-looking and appealing images.

You can also use the Crop tool to rotate your image – ideal if you’ve snapped your picture with a phone held at a jaunty angle.

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
2. Changed your mind?

2. Changed your mind?

Once you’ve finished cropping and straightening, click the ‘Back’ arrow at the top left to return to the main editing screen, where you can begin applying filters and refining colors.

If you change your mind about any of the edits you’ve made, simply tap the ‘Undo’ arrow at the top right; none of the changes you’re making will become permanent until you save the picture at the end. 

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
3. Compare and contrast

3. Compare and contrast

Select the ‘Correct’ tool and three tabs will appear at the bottom – Contrast, Exposure and White Balance. Select ‘Contrast’ and you’ll see three sliders: contrast, clarity and vibrance.

Contrast is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of your image, clarity makes the midtones in your image lighter or darker (resulting in a softer or ‘harder’ effect), and vibrance is colour saturation. For a natural look, keep your alterations fairly small.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
4. Decent exposure

4. Decent exposure

Selecting the Exposure tab will reveal three different sliders – Exposure, Highlights and Shadows. These aim to replicate the effect of more or less light hitting the sensor in your camera.

Adjusting the exposure can be a useful way to brighten up a picture taken on a dull day, but bear in mind that it can never restore detail from a part of your picture that’s in total darkness; the data simply isn’t there. The same is true of overexposed pictures, where the highlights are entirely white.

You can also use Photoshop Express to compensate for color casts created by artificial lighting. Indoor lighting is rarely actually white, and different types of lighting can tint your photos a different colour. For example, an incandescent lightbulb gives off noticeably warmer (more orange) light than a fluorescent bulb.

The ‘White balance’ tab can help you counteract this effect. The Temperature slider will make your image more orange (warm) or blue (cold), and the Tint slider will shift it towards purple or green. 

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
5. A new look

5. A new look

Instagram is best known for its retro-style image filters, which are a great way to liven up your shots. Photoshop Express has a similar selection of options, known as ‘Looks’. There are lots of free Looks, plus an array of premium ones, which you can preview before deciding whether to commit to a purchase.

For more ways to apply retro filters to your photos, check out XnRetro – a free photo editor dedicated to the task.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
6. Share and enjoy

6. Share and enjoy

Click and hold the ‘View original’ button at the bottom left to see the differences your edits have made to your photo. Once you’re happy, select ‘Share/save’ and choose whether you’d like to save it to your PC, or share it on Facebook or Revel. If you choose Facebook, you’ll be asked to authorise the app and choose a privacy setting for your pictures. You can then enter a caption and share your polished snap with the world. 

If you’d prefer to store your picture locally, just choose a location, enter a filename and click ‘Save’. The editor will close and you’ll be ready to start perfecting another picture.

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis
Social Links Navigation
Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
The interface of the Adobe Photoshop for mobile app, edits of a model against a blue sky
Photoshop finally gets a pro-grade Android app – here are 3 reasons why I'm excited to try the free version
Adobe Express during our review
Adobe Express (2025) review
Adobe Express new tools with three options against a pink-orange background
The 7 Adobe Express updates creators and marketers need to know about
Three iPhones on a red and orange background showing the new Photoshop app
How to focus on an object in Photoshop
CyberLink PhotoDirector during our tests
Best photo editor of 2025
Adobe Photoshop Select tool in use for an image of two people in bright clothing outside on a sunny day
The 5 biggest new Photoshop, Firefly and Premiere Pro tools that were announced at Adobe Max London 2025
Latest in Creative Software
The interface of the Adobe Photoshop for mobile app, edits of a model against a blue sky
Photoshop finally gets a pro-grade Android app – here are 3 reasons why I'm excited to try the free version
Adobe Creative Cloud
The price of AI? Adobe hikes Creative Cloud subscriptions for some with new Pro plan – here’s what you need to know
A crowd watching an Adobe Max London keynote
Adobe Max London 2025 live – all the new features coming to Photoshop, Firefly, Premiere Pro and more
Adobe Photoshop Select tool in use for an image of two people in bright clothing outside on a sunny day
The 5 biggest new Photoshop, Firefly and Premiere Pro tools that were announced at Adobe Max London 2025
Photoshop CC logo on a screen
How to make an image background transparent in Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe's Photoshop and Lightroom photo plans get a huge price hike, but there's a way to avoid it
Latest in How Tos
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE, Day 2 fixtures
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 587, England 77-3 after record-breaking Gill double hundred on Day 2
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    You don't have to be real to score brand deals as an influencer
  2. 2
    I tested the Nebula X1, and it's one of the brightest and best portable projectors available
  3. 3
    Chinese vendor launches liquid-cooled mini PC powered by AMD's most powerful AI processor, with a built-in 400W PSU
  4. 4
    I wouldn’t look for Prime Day iPhone deals, but a Prime Day AirPods sale is guaranteed
  5. 5
    The best early Prime Day deal? A free 6-month Amazon Prime membership for students

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...