Pro photo and video editing with presets and filters

Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac
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Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac

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Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac is a powerful, modern editing suite designed specifically for Apple users who want professional-grade photo and video tools without leaving the macOS ecosystem.

Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac Screenshot 1

Built with deep integration into Apple Photos and iCloud, Darkroom app for macOS offers non-destructive editing, advanced color tools, RAW support, and high-performance video editing in a sleek, native interface.

Unlike many cross-platform editors, Darkroom feels purpose-built for macOS, leveraging Metal for speed and offering seamless synchronization across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

It’s ideal for content creators, photographers, social media managers, and anyone who wants precise control over visual content without the complexity of traditional desktop software.

Main Features
  • RAW Editing – Full support for RAW files with high-quality image processing.
  • Non-Destructive Workflow – All edits are reversible and stored without altering originals.
  • Advanced Color Tools – Curves, selective color, and color grading controls.
  • Batch Editing – Apply edits and presets to multiple photos at once.
  • Custom Presets – Create, save, and sync reusable editing styles.
  • Video Editing Tools – Color grading and adjustments for video clips.
  • Apple Photos Integration – Direct editing within the Photos library.
  • iCloud Sync – Edits and presets sync across Apple devices.
  • Selective Adjustments – Target specific color ranges or image areas.
  • Export Options – Flexible export sizes, formats, and quality settings.
User Interface

Darkroom’s interface is clean, minimal, and optimized for productivity. The layout follows Apple’s design language, making it feel native and intuitive.

The editing panel is structured logically: adjustments are grouped by exposure, color, detail, and cropping tools. Sliders are responsive, and real-time previews update instantly thanks to hardware acceleration.

The timeline-style video editor integrates naturally into the same workspace, allowing users to switch between photo and video projects seamlessly.

Overall, the UI balances simplicity with depth, making it accessible for beginners while offering precision for advanced users.

Installation and Setup
  • Open the Mac App Store.
  • Search for “Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor.”
  • Click Get or Download.
  • Launch the app from Applications.
  • Grant access to your Photos library if prompted.
  • Setup is immediate. Once permissions are granted, your Apple Photos library becomes accessible within the app, ready for editing.
How to Use
  • Open this desktop app and select a photo or video from your library.
  • Choose basic adjustments such as exposure, contrast, and highlights.
  • Fine-tune colors using curves or selective color tools.
  • Apply or create a preset if desired.
  • For video, switch to video mode and adjust color grading settings.
  • Compare before/after edits using preview tools.
  • Export the final image or save edits directly to your library.
FAQs

Does Darkroom support RAW files?
Yes, it fully supports RAW editing with high-quality processing.

Can I edit videos in Darkroom?
Yes, it includes advanced video color grading and adjustment tools.

Is it integrated with Apple Photos?
Yes, it works directly with Apple Photos and iCloud libraries.

Are edits non-destructive?
Yes, all edits are non-destructive and reversible at any time.

Is a subscription required?
The app offers free basic features, but advanced tools require a subscription.

Alternatives

Adobe Lightroom – Professional photo editing with cloud sync and advanced tools.

Luminar Neo – AI-driven photo enhancements and creative tools.

Pixelmator Pro – Powerful Mac-native editor with AI-based enhancements.

Capture One – High-end RAW processing and studio-level controls.

Affinity Photo – Advanced editing with one-time purchase pricing.

Pricing

Darkroom is FREE to download with limited core features.

Premium functionality, including advanced color tools, batch editing, and video features, is unlocked via subscription.

Pricing typically includes monthly and annual plans, with a free trial available for new users. Family Sharing may also be supported through Apple subscriptions.

System Requirements
  • macOS 13.0 or later
  • Apple Silicon or Intel Mac
  • Compatible with Apple Photos
  • iCloud account recommended for sync features
PROS
  • Fast performance optimized for macOS
  • Full RAW and video editing support
  • Seamless Apple Photos integration
  • Clean and intuitive interface
  • Non-destructive workflow
  • Cross-device syncing
  • Powerful color grading tools
CONS
  • Advanced tools require a subscription
  • Limited advanced retouching compared to Photoshop
  • No extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Not ideal for complex compositing
  • Subscription may not suit all users
  • Focused primarily on the Apple ecosystem
  • Professional studio features are limited
Conclusion

Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac is a refined, performance-focused editing solution tailored for Apple users.

Its seamless Photos integration, powerful color tools, and video support make it a versatile choice for modern creators.

The FileHorse review team recommends this app for users seeking a fast, intuitive, and professional macOS-native editing experience without unnecessary complexity.

Download Darkroom: Photo & Video Editor for Mac Latest Version
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  • Darkroom 7.1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Darkroom 7.1 Screenshot 1

What's new in this version:

Darkroom 7.1
- Today we're introducing Extended Metadata, a major update to the metadata viewer in Darkroom. It's a complete rewrite of the metadata system that makes it faster, more reliable, and far more complete.
- Added Print support for Mac.
- Improved the speed and reliability of previewing photos.
- Fixed double importing photos, when the app was not yet running.
- Fixed the iPhone mask selector not being scrollable with more than 3 options.
- Fixed various orientation issues with Masks when used on videos.
- Fixed an issue causing depth and subject masks to be generated unexpectedly on videos.
- Improved various localizations across the app.
- Fixed confusing error messages when switching to another app.
- Fixed a crash on Mac when using the “Edit with Darkroom” option.
- Fixed a crash that could occur on 7th gen iPads or older.
- Fixed a crash when calculating smart frame colors.


Darkroom 7.0.25
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed a crash that could occur when opening the app - A race condition in the in-app purchase system could cause the app to crash on launch or when navigating to settings.
- Fixed a crash when switching between photos quickly - A threading issue in the image processing engine could cause a crash when switching photos while edits were still being applied.
- Fixed a crash in batch photo selection - The batch action bar could crash when resizing under certain conditions.
- Fixed keyboard dismissing when editing copyright text - When tapping the copyright fields in export options, the keyboard would briefly appear then immediately dismiss.
- Fixed spurious error dialogs when switching apps - When returning from the background, the app could sometimes show an error message about GPU processing that wasn't a real problem.
- Fixed errors showing when photo library updates during editing - If your Photos library changed while you were editing a photo, an unnecessary error would sometimes appear.

Improvements:
- Redesigned "Report an Issue" screen - The feedback form has been reorganized to make it easier to describe your issue first, then optionally attach photos and provide an email address. Your email is now remembered for future reports.
- Warning when submitting feedback without photos - If you haven't opened any photos recently, you'll now see a notice explaining that diagnostic information won't be available with your report.

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