Blackmagic Design has launched a dedicated photo editing page in DaVinci Resolve 21. This move puts their free software directly in competition with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
What’s New in DaVinci Resolve 21
The standout feature is the new Photo page, a dedicated workspace within DaVinci Resolve designed for organizing and editing still images. If you’re unfamiliar with Resolve, think of it as a professional video editing and color grading tool used in Hollywood. Blackmagic has been expanding it into a comprehensive creative suite.
On the Photo page, you’ll find tools that photographers familiar with Lightroom will recognize. These include non-destructive editing, which keeps your original files intact, RAW file support for high-quality images, and a library for organizing your shots. Essentially, Blackmagic gives photographers access to Resolve’s highly regarded color correction engine — the same one used by colorists in blockbuster films — without needing to master the entire video editing process first.
AI Search and Other New Features
In addition to photo editing, Resolve 21 brings AI-powered search to your media library. You can skip the tedious folder browsing. Just type a simple description, like “outdoor interview, sunny,” and the software finds matching clips or photos for you. This feature is similar to Google Photos, which lets you search your camera roll by describing the contents of a picture.
While Blackmagic hasn’t released a complete changelog yet, this update seems to follow their trend of including AI tools in Resolve’s free version — a feature that Adobe charges a monthly fee for.
Why This Matters for Adobe
Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are the go-to tools for photo editing, but they come with a price. Adobe’s Photography Plan costs about $9.99 per month, while the full Creative Cloud suite is even pricier. In contrast, DaVinci Resolve’s core version is completely free, and a one-time $295 Studio license unlocks extra AI features and collaboration tools.
This significant price difference has already attracted many video editors to Resolve. If the Photo page delivers on its promises, photographers may have a solid reason to switch or at least complement their Adobe workflow with this free alternative.
| Detail | DaVinci Resolve | Adobe Photography Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | Free | $9.99/month |
| Full license | $295 one-time (Studio) | ~$599/year (Creative Cloud) |
| Photo editing | New in version 21 | Lightroom + Photoshop included |
| AI tools | Included in free + Studio tiers | Included in subscription |
| RAW support | Yes (v21) | Yes |
| Non-destructive editing | Yes (v21) | Yes |
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’re serious about photography, whether as a hobby or professionally, this update gives you a great reason to try DaVinci Resolve as a Lightroom substitute without spending any money. Sure, the learning curve is steep; Resolve is a complex tool meant for professionals. But the Photo page seems designed to provide photographers with a familiar workspace without overwhelming them with the full video editing setup.
For those already using Resolve for video, this update is a huge quality-of-life improvement. You can now manage everything from raw photo culling and editing to full video production all in one place, eliminating the need to export files between different programs.
If you’re a current Adobe subscriber, keep an eye on how the Photo page evolves in the upcoming updates before making any decisions. Early iterations of new features often don’t match the depth of tools that have been honed over many years.
What People Are Saying
“Blackmagic keeps doing what Adobe refuses to — actually competing on price. If the photo tools are even 70% as good as Lightroom, a lot of people are going to make the switch.”
“I’ve been using Resolve for video for two years and this is huge. Not having to jump into Lightroom just to edit a few stills from a shoot would save me so much time.”
What To Watch
- Hands-on reviews: Early feedback from professional photographers will reveal whether the Photo page can compete with Lightroom’s years of refinement. Expect detailed comparisons in the coming weeks.
- Adobe’s response: Adobe usually reacts to competitive pressure with new features or pricing changes. It’ll be interesting to see if this update prompts any response from them in the next few months.
- Resolve 21 availability: Blackmagic Design has announced this update. Check their website for details on download availability and release timing for the full version.
Sources: MacRumors, The Verge, Blackmagic Design press release
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
