If you’ve ever been curious about the creative mind and strategy behind the features and innovations in ON1 Photo RAW, look no further than our VP of Product, Dan Harlacher. With nearly two decades of experience driving customer-focused product innovation, Dan has a unique perspective on the art and science of photography and photo editing. Learn about Dan’s photography journey, favorite ON1 features, and how to get the most out of ON1 Photo RAW.

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How long have you been using ON1 products?

Dan: I’ve been at ON1 from the beginning—19 years and counting. I’ve had the privilege of helping build these incredible photo editing software tools, from developing our first products, Genuine Fractals (now ON1 Resize AI), Mask Pro, Perfect Photo Suite, PhotoFrame, FocalPoint, PhotoTools, and many others. This experience taught me how to turn those great tools into what ON1 Photo RAW is today. Being with ON1 for as long as I have, I’ve seen the evolution of photography and software and have been able to directly contribute to making it easier and more intuitive for photographers to realize that the whole process can be enjoyable.

Why do you love ON1 Photo RAW?

Dan: It’s easy—I designed a lot of it! As a photographer, Photo RAW is the all-in-one editor I’ve always ever wanted. Everything I need is in one place: from organizing to editing and even sharing, it eliminates the need to switch between multiple apps. More importantly, it’s a product designed and built with my fellow photographers in mind. Every feature saves you time and makes editing as efficient and creative as possible. As someone who’s spent countless hours in the field and behind a computer, I think the seamless integration of tools is the best-kept secret in photo editing.

What is your favorite ON1 Photo RAW feature?

Dan: Super Select AI is my go-to. It’s not just about being fast—it’s about how it changes the way I edit photos. You can literally just point, click and edit photos with precise adjustments and never worry about the old school steps of editing photos. Making complex masks or tedious selections used to be such a nightmare. It would throw your creative process into a painful hit-and-miss guessing game. For me, Super Select is a huge time saver and opens up many creative possibilities that would otherwise take so much longer. It’s the perfect example of how technology can simplify photo editing without compromising on quality or creativity.

What’s your best tip for photographers using ON1 Photo RAW?

Dan: The simple answer would be to join ON1 Plus, but probably the best option would be to attend the ON1 Conference. Seriously, not everyone wants a membership to learn software, and I get it.  When I was starting out, learning from the experts and access to training materials made all the difference. It also meant that it came at a cost. Whether it was travel expenses to a tradeshow, buying online courses, or paying for workshops, it all added up. ON1 Plus is like having a community of mentors, like-minded photographers, and many other resources—on-demand. It’s like binging your favorite series on Netflix, but quadruple the reward, for most.

What’s always in your camera bag (besides the camera)?

Dan: A gardening knee pad—seriously! As a photographer, I’m constantly looking for unique perspectives, and that often means getting down on the ground for those low-angle shots. The knee pad keeps me comfortable and dry so I can focus on framing the perfect shot, even in challenging environments. It’s a simple addition to my gear, but it makes a big difference.

What inspires your photography style?

Dan: I’ve always been drawn to the timeless elegance of old-school analog black-and-white photography. Artists like Michael Kenna inspire me with their minimalist approach and ability to evoke emotion through simplicity. When I shoot, I aim to strip away distractions and focus on the essence of the scene. It’s about creating images that feel personal, capturing moments that resonate with me and hopefully others.

Where’s the best place to follow you?

Dan: Instagram is where I’m most active—@danharlacher. It’s how I share my latest work, from film photography experiments to tips and behind-the-scenes moments from ON1 projects. It’s also a fun platform to connect with other photographers and see how they use ON1 tools.

Ready to Learn from Dan and the ON1 Team?

Don’t miss your chance to meet Dan Harlacher and other ON1 experts at the first-ever ON1 Conference. Reserve your spot today and discover the full power of ON1 Photo RAW.

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