
The manipulation techniques enabled by layers/image stacking/compositing are quite advanced (exposure stacking/HDR, focus stacking, and image compositing). It's primary weaknesses are that it does not handle layers/image stacking/compositing at all, with the capabilities of its retouching tools coming a close second.

Despite over 50 years in photography (pro as well as amateur, in the darkroom as well as behind the camera), I still do the vast majority of my image editing in Photos - it has a wide range of very capable tools. Once you've mastered a simpler tool and are frustrated by its limitations, you have a better idea of exactly what you'd like to have in a better tool. They're simpler to use, and thereby simpler to master.


I'm a big fan of determining your needs by learning on a tool with limited capabilities.
