SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you for seeing my plight, even though you don't yet know what it is, and coming to my aid.

Last month my computer, my first, croaked after more than six good years. Having been lazy, I'd installed Picasa and even though I told myself I needed to branch out into a more sophisticated editing program, I never did. Now, with a new PC, I have no editing program and of course Picasa is a distant memory. I've been considering Lightroom for over a year and want to go with it, but I keep reading where people do this in Lightroom and this in Photoshop. My question is: Do I need both? Or is it just that people start with one and then add the other?

I've never used any program but Picasa but realize that my photography has reached a point where I need to be able to do more with it. I probably haven't given enough information but I feel too lost to offer up anything more just now. It depresses me to be thwarted, however temporarily, in my creativity. I guess I never realized how often I went to my pictures and just messed with them or printed them (the new computer doesn't recognize the old, perfectly good, printer--another topic). Now I find myself not wanting to sit down in front of the new fancy computer at all.

Sorry if this is redundant; I know there are lots of questions about editing programs on this site and I did look at some of the queries. But I had my own question.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Lightroom may be available as a freestanding product, but you need to check listings at B&H Photo or speak with Adobe to confirm that. There are other non-Adobe post-processing tools, such as On1 Photo Raw to name just one, and a boat load of add-in presets, from companies like Nik (Google) and Topaz. Good luck with your new system and your creative journey.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Both Lightroom and Photoshop have learning curves. Neither is a jump in and wing it program. I'd start with Lightroom, buy Scott Kelby"s book on version 6 to aid your initial set up. and yes it is available as a stand alone program.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Lightroom is available as a freestanding program. However, if you wish to start you editing with some free software, here's a couple to look at.
http://lightzoneproject.org Windows, Apple, and Linux
http://www.hasselblad.com/software/phocus Apple only
--Bob

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

First thing -- go to the Adobe web site and copy down the "specs" that Photoshop requires. You may find out your new computer system lacking. Hope not, but that might steer you in another direction. And you most likely WILL need to upgrade your printer. Make sure it is a photo printer (and not an office machine that also does photos) if you want quality prints. Good news is there are many good ones at very reasonable prices. If you need to have the one printer do everything, you can find good photo printers that also do office work -- just don't go the other way around.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks, DStone. My new computer had better not be lacking since I bought one recommended for serious photo processing and paid a pretty penny for it! My old printer, a Canon, was a photo printer and did a beautiful job. I don't care about printing anything else. So if I need a new printer, and I suspect I do, I will get a high-quality photo printer. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks, rjwallace. I'll get this figured out, with help from folks here.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I've heard of that book and do plan to buy it. Thank you.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks for the tip. I may try one of these out.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It looks as though you have a Canon camera (7D?) so one option is to download and use Cannon DPP. Picasa can still be found online to down load, so although no longer supported will still work. Or go the whole hog and get Adobe CC which is a good deal for $10 per month. YOu can use Canon DPP directly with Photoshop. Another alternative is PaintShopPro.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

I agree with this 100%
I'm not wild about Shelby' style but....reading his book will help you get started on the right foot. More important than trying to jump into the actual editing capabilities is spending the time and effort, up front, to understand Lightroom's cataloging functionality. I can't emphasize this enough.
People who get it wrong in their heads never seem to be able to undo their misconceptions.
Read and understand the first few chapters of Kelby's book BEFORE you do your first "import" and your photo organizing worries will be a thing of the past.

There are lots of free photo editing programs out there but none that I've tried have the power and polish of the Adobe products and with a Creative Cloud for Photographers costing only $10/month the decision was easy. (If you cut coffee consumption by one cup per day you'll easily cover the cost.)

In addition, there are many many free Lightroom and Photoshop tutorials available and lots of help available here on UHH.

leftj Loc: Texas

There's is no good reason why your printer can't be used wiith you new computer. You may just need to download and install the correct driver. Go to the Cannon web site and get help.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can get LR6 from Amazon and use it forever, more or less.

Also -
Free
http://www.download3.co/ic/picasa/index.php?kw=%2Bpicasa
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

Not free
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/03/23/best-photo-editing-software-photoshop-cc-and-7-photoshop-alternatives-tested/1/
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list/

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

If you don't want to subscribe to Adobe CC for lightroom and Photoshop bundle for 7.99 a month (Photographers package) then you should consider Afinity Photo, nearly as powerful as Photoshop for much less money @ $49.99, which ever you choose good luck and happy shooting.

cthahn

You really do not know what you want. There is a extremely big difference between Light Room and Photoshop. Depending upon what you photograph, and what you need the end product to be will decide what software to purchase. If you are serious about photography, and want to a photographer instead of a picture taker, this is the way to.