Furbugsy Loc: NJ

My name is Nick I'm thinking about buying a program for editing my photos, but am not able to pick which one to choose because I don't know much about them. I don't want anything complicated for I'm a simple man. I was leaning towards photo shop because it's a one time buy and don't want to pay a monthly fee , but I want something that I will not have to buy again in six months because the one I bought doesn't do all. I use an Apple laptop the MacBook Pro and been using the program that's in it,but doesn't do a lot to the photos that I want to do.
Thank you in advance and appreciate your help.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Since you're using an Apple, you might want to look at a free program that will do fairly well for you.
http://www.hasselblad.com/software/phocus

BTW, photoshop is a rental scheme. LR is possible to purchase as a standalone.
--Bob

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

PS and LR are not 1 to 1 comparable. Both share Adobe Camera RAW just with different interfaces.
LR has powerful image organizing capabilities that are missing in PS.
PS has layers and other powerful pixel level tools that LR does not.
Personally, I do about 95% of my post processing in LR and only go into PS to add signatures to my images
or on the rare occasion when I need to do something with an image that can't be done in LR.
If you choose to go with the Adobe photographer's CC monthly subscription package, you get both LR and PS.
I did that and started learning PS, I was already using LR, but as I said, I only use PS about 5% of the time.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I'm not sure you can easily obtain a copy of the full Photoshop CS6 program any more - at least, I don't see it any more on Amazon. If you can find it, be forewarned that if you are shooting RAW and have a relatively new camera, it may not support the camera's RAW format. Were you perhaps thinking of Photoshop Elements? You indicated you are a simple man, but full Photoshop is anything but simple - the learning curve is pretty challenging. I suggest you look at Lightroom in the Creative Cloud edition.

Linary Loc: UK

For a single purchase fairly comprehensive PP app, I would suggest Adobe Photoshop Essentials. (It is a "Lite" version of the full Photoshop which a rental). Another up and coming programme is Affinity Photo, it is in it's infancy but is very capable.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You need both. LR to do raw conversion, and PS to do photofinishing. I use LR on 100% of my images and PS on 99% of my images. Detail work, masking, layers, local sharpening and contrast control, local denoising, etc etc etc are not at all possible in LR.

$120/yr gets you PS and LR, and you can elect to use it in a simple manner at first, but it has everything you will ever need to address future needs. Not too much software out there than can do that.

The complicated thing vs simple man thing is temporary. You buy it, you learn it, it is no longer complicated. The annual fee is a software maintenance charge - they all have it, though up to this point, it's been called "free" updates and charged-for upgrades.

If I am hearing you correctly, you want magic. It doesn't exist. But PS/LR is the next best thing.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

f you do not want something "complicated," then Photoshop is not for you. Photoshop is the very definition of complicated software.

Furbugsy Loc: NJ

thank you all for taking the time to respond to my question.Now at least I know a little about PS and LR.Now I know its not for me.Im just looking for a program to edit my photos without all the fuss.Buy it and use it when I need it.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

You don't have to replace PHOTOSHOP just because a new version comes out. I'm still on PSE10 and there are many on here still using older versions. It doesn't get updated, so if you change your camera you might have to upgrade. But I think there are ways around this, if you use the camera software to save an image as a TIFF you can then use it photoshop - you just have to make an interim change.

(Don't quote me on this because I've not changed my camera for a good while so 10 still works for me.)

picsman Loc: Scotland

As you have ruled out photoshop have a look at DxO, Luminar, On1.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can no longer buy PS. You have to rent it from Adobe for $120 a year. You can still buy mLR for around $150. Unless you want to get into heavy processing, PS is probably not necessary. There are alternatives to those two.

Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
Others
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 Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/

For free -

http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I agree, in addition, Photoshop is "destructive" (meaning that once you've made a modification and saved it, it is permanent). You can get around the destructiveness of PS by constantly saving your work using different variations of the file name but it is inconvenient and can be confusing. Lightroom is non-destructive, meaning that you can always undo a change or completely reset back to the unedited photo.
Personally, I too, do about 95% of my editing and development in Lightroom then I export the edited version to Photoshop for any "final" fixes. Both are tools to be used to each one's best results. Also as you mentioned, Lightroom is unsurpassed at organizing, mapping locations of the shot, and general storage.

I was doing the $9.99 monthly Photography deal but have now upgraded to the $49.99 everything deal. I needed the addition of Dreamweaver and a couple of other programs from Adobe and it made sense. Plus, for me, I can deduct the cost of the Adobe programs as a cost of doing business, from my business taxes. It's just like the cost of equipment and other expenses.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Lightroom is equal to a filing cabinet where you can catalog and file your photos. Photoshop is software that may be used as en external editor to perform more intensive photo edits, of your photos stored in Lightroom catalogs.

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

I was waiting for this week's rehash of this topic. Usually we don't get to Thursday before it comes up again.

Lazy J Loc: Pacific Northwest

I cannot speak to DxO or On1, but I would stay away from Luminar as their technical support SUCKS! I bought the software, which has a fatal flaw that renders the software useless, and their email only tag support could not fix the issue. It sits on my computer unusable!