What software to edit digital video?

[BradS]

I bought my first digital camera a couple of years ago. There has been and still is so much to learn. Recently, I've been trying to make some videos and almost immediately came to the realization that, unlike photos, I really need to do some editing with video....again, I am totally new to all of this - I've never even used photoshop.

What what video editing software do you recommend?
My preferred operating systems are: 1. Linux, 2. MacOS, and a very, very distant third, Windows.

Honestly, I think I'd rather get slivers under my fingernails than use Windows but, if that's really what is required, I'm willing to try.


...also, what other questions do I need to ask, What other considerations should I be thinking about?

 

[sruddy]

DaVinci Resolve Download | Blackmagic Design

 

[Kino]

DaVinci Resolve (non-paid version) is very probably more than you will ever need, but it takes some hefty hardware to run at higher video resolutions AND it has a monster learning curve.

If your needs are more modest, and you will be running Linux, have a look at these:

Our 5 Favorite Linux Video Editors of 2024

Most people assume it's impossible to do video editing on the Linux platform. These five user-friendly apps prove that assumption wrong.

www.lifewire.com

 

[BradS]

@Kino and @sruddy Thanks! for these suggestions. I've just finished watching one, 40 minute tutorial video and my mind is a little blown.
I'm so excited!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Keep it simple. Adobe Premiere Elements. They have simple mode as well as pro mode editing. In simple mode, the program will create your entire video including titles music etc. Lots of auto features. Yet you can switch to advanced and do it all yourself. $100 for lifetime license. You could buy the coordinate Photoshop Elements to edit photos for another $50—also lifetime license. CHeck my Youtube sites to see samples of my videos.

 

[Lew_B]

If you already have a Mac, try iMovie….it’s free, can do an awful lot! If you get into it deeply enough to find iMovie limiting, then you’ll have enough knowledge to properly investigate more “professional” things like Final Cut, DaVinci, etc.

 

[Stolk]

update: ugh. Missed the video part in the title. So yeah, Openshot for that. For photo…

I use rawtherapee (opensourced).

Some things are unintuitive , and user unfriendly (e.g. you cannot undo one edit in the middle of history, only delete the tail of history.)

But once you learn its quirks, it is very powerful.

And you can’t beat its price of $0 of course.

 

[koraks]

I use rawtherapee (opensourced)

Me too, and I love it - but does it do video...? For video (which I haven't done a lot of - just enough to get some work jobs done), I've used VideoPad.

 

[Stolk]

Me too, and I love it - but does it do video...? For video (which I haven't done a lot of - just enough to get some work jobs done), I've used VideoPad.

edit: oops… did not have my coffee yet, and misread the title.

For video, I use OpenShot. Also quirky and cumbersome, but in the end, does the job.

 

[koraks]

For video, I use OpenShot

Hey, thanks! The need for some video editing may arise at some point and it's great to have an alternative. I'll definitely look into it at that point.

 

[blee1996]

For Mac, I concur you can start with iMovie and use it up to its limits. Then I will go for Davinci Resolve.