Editing is where vision meets detail — DxO PhotoLab 9 gives you both, and with an exclusive 20% discount “FeatureShoot” for Feature Shoot readers if you buy before the end of October, there’s never been a better time to start.

Buy with 20% off (code: FEATURESHOOT)

When I started taking photos a little over 20 years ago, the process was slow, messy, and magical: light meters, grain, and trays of chemicals that ruined countless pairs of jeans. Today, anyone can take a photo, and with AI everywhere, creating something truly yours can feel harder than ever.

As much as it’s about pressing the shutter, crafting an image is also about the edit. With the right tools, a good frame becomes something special — something with intention. I can make more creative decisions in the edit than I ever could in the moment, without losing sight of what I felt at the moment of capture. And if I trust my editing tools — and know that I can push the limits when I have my camera in my hand — the process becomes one that I truly enjoy.

Below you’ll find three of my favorite photographers, and I’ll explain how editing is an integral part of their creative process. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do!

Andy at DxO

How the pros do it (and how you can, too)

Agathe Poupeney, dance photographer

Agathe Poupeney is drawn to movement, light, and narrative. A self-taught photographer, she’s spent two decades capturing the energy of live performance for leading French cultural institutions — from the electricity of the stage to the quiet intensity of rehearsal. “The emotion, the atmosphere, the light — it all has to come through,” she explains.

Agathe frequently has to deliver high-quality images to clients the same day. Robust AI Masking speeds up selective edits across a full set of images, and powerful noise reduction means that she has freedom when photographing that simply wasn’t there before.

Learn More 20% off- code: FEATURE SHOOT

Petr Bambousek, wildlife photographer

Often working in challenging environments, Petr Bambousek produces stunning images of animals in exotic locations, and it’s during the edit that he’s able to recreate exactly what he saw and felt out in the field. The color and minutiae of feathers and fur are critical, and intuitive HSL tools and cutting-edge detail extraction are key to producing images that make an impact.

Local adjustments are also integral to the finished product. “I often need to isolate complex subjects,” Petr explains. “With DxO software, I can feather the effect to blend adjustments into the frame — fantastic for wider shots of animals.”

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Karim Roland, fashion photographer

Karim’s signature style has a refined and natural touch, and that means having complete control during the edit — helped by software that encourages subtlety. “Each photo should feel alive and approachable,” he says. “It should leave room for interpretation while staying true to my intent.”

Having precise optical corrections automatically applied means that he has the best possible foundation from which to work. “From there, I can bring in my creative direction.”

Learn More- 20% off (code: FEATURESHOOT)

Own your edit. Save 20% on DxO PhotoLab 9.

Save 20% with code FEATURESHOOT at checkout. The discount drops to 15% on October 7.

A pro-grade RAW editor you buy once — no ongoing subscription.

As photographers, we want tools we can trust — ones that offer speed, control, and room to shape a look that feels personal. DxO PhotoLab 9 delivers exactly that: advanced noise reduction for high-ISO work, powerful local adjustments, and industry-leading lens and camera corrections — all in a fast, focused workspace that’s yours to keep.

Why photographers switch

• No-subscription fatigue: Pay once, keep creating.
• Real-world speed: AI Masking lets you isolate subjects and skies fast, across whole shoots.
• Cleaner files, truer detail: Class-leading noise reduction and detail extraction make low light and fast action usable.
• Optics you can trust: Automatic lens/camera corrections remove distortion, fringing, and softness so you start sharp.
• Sublime control: Intuitive HSL and local adjustments keep edits natural and consistent with your style.

Get results in minutes

Short, guided videos get you from first launch to first finished image quickly — so you can spend more time shooting and less time fiddling.

Try it free (no card needed)

30-day full version — see how it fits your workflow. Start your free trial.

Ready to own it? One-time purchase—no subscription. Feature Shoot readers get 20% off.

Save 20% with code FEATURESHOOT at checkout. Discount drops to 15% after October 31.

Images: © Agathe Poupeney, © Petr Bambousek, © Karim Roland

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