billroach2717

Hi everyone and thanks in advance for helping others on this forum.

I am about a year returned to photography after my retirement and very enthusiastic about it.

My biggest frustration is in using Adobe Lightroom (Classic and CC versions). I find the whole system more than I need and mystifying to use. Nonetheless, I have tried it for about a year now because it so clearly seemed to be the program that "good photographers" all used.

Most recently I saw a video about Photoscape X and I was impressed with its layout. It just seemed more natural and intuitive. (I have since learned that there are others such as Luminar.)

Question 1: What do you think about using an alternative such as Photoscape X instead of lightroom for a lower to mid level enthousiast?

Question 2: If I did change how much work would it be to retrieve all my photos out of Lightroom and put them into a new system.

Am I just making it harder for myself using Lightroom when I could be using another program.

Thanks.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Welcome. I find LR to be confusing too.

billroach2717

Thanks, Bob. Glad I am not alone.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

On1 will let you migrate your images. It's a great program at a reasonable price and you don't have to upgrade if you choose not to. No monthly fee.

timcc Loc: Virginia

Welcome to the forum! I normally use Capture One for Sony, which has a learning curve similar to LR, but I use PhotoScape X for an Olympus TG-5 I got last year. It is easy to learn and offers a lot of capability - not as much as LR or C-1, but plenty for a lower to mid-level enthusiast! And the price is right: essentially free, since there is no time limit on the trial.

I recommend you try PhotoScape X. You will learn a lot about editing, and later, if you decide you need more functionality, you can always purchase one of the more complex systems.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

What do you need to do? Do you need to manage and catalog your photos and/or do you need to edit your photos or both? Are you working with raw files or camera JPEG images or both?

Joe

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I gave up on Adobe products years ago, tried quite few others, forgot most of the names by now, found and settled on Paint Shop Pro, does everything I have ever needed and is more intuitive, at least for me, YMMV, Bob.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can download any candidate software for a 7-day to month-long trial period, check each website for details. What most people seem to fail to understand is that professional-grade digital editing software are highly specialized and very sophisticated tools. You can't just click around and figure it out on your own. Lightroom brings an entirely new paradigm to file management where a life-time of learning 'to save often', maintaining sophisticated folder structures, and similar best practices go entirely out the window.

You didn't tell us how / why you're editing your digital images. Are you shooting RAW? Are you shooting a large volume of images where bulk / batch processing provided by Lightroom really distinguishes itself from all other software?

You asked about migrating. For each candidate software, consider the migration process and test within the trial period. What formats will the new software accept that maintain the most of your editing information from LR? Will they accept DNGs? PSDs? TIFFs? XMLs? Or, should you just export the edited JPEGs of all your LR work and import that work as-is into the target software as your historical catalog?

Or, should you investigate the Support section of the Adobe site and utube for freely available LR training videos and invest the time needed to learn and effectively use LR?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Bill Roach:

Question two is easy! If you get to the point of moving to a new system, ask that question here or anywhere else and you'll get a few choices.

The first question is more complex. One of the better parts of photography in retirement is that there is always a new and brain challenging thing to review, learn or master. The Adobe plan with the five Lightrooms and Photoshop provide paths to anything. The best part is they are universal enough that there learning opportunities everywhere.

Frustration can come from thinking you have to know it all. You don't. Learn what you want, use it and then learn something new.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Use whatever you feel the most comfortable with and that will be the best program for you, who cares what others are using. I personally do not like Lightroom (although I know it is an excellent program), so I do not use it, I use what I like and I'm happy with that!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I think that using a program like Photoscape is just fine. Many will imply that you must use Adobe products. They are wrong.

Here is a tip: look at the photos of the people who are giving you advice.

Mike

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

To pursue Mike's suggestion, click their user name, that is a URL that links to their profile page on the site. Click the link to the number of new topics they've created. Open their topics in the Photo Gallery.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks, Paul.

Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There are also Affinity enthusiasts here, as well as happy users of Photoshop Elements. I have used Elements since 2013. Here is a recent re-edit of a 2017 photo:https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-629347-1.html

And a new pic: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-627603-3.html#10885547

I own modest equipment (under $1000 for body and lens, 2016 models) and shoot in raw.

For me, processing is part of the joy of the hobby. I was extremely comfortable with Elements right from the beginning. What I liked most is the uncluttered interface with 3 layout options: quick, guided edits, expert.

Do try some of the free trials to see which one fits best for your own interests.

If you hang around UHH, be sure to click on "all sections" (at the bottom of any page) to find volunteer-moderated special interest areas. While Photo Gallery is by far the most active (up to 100 new topics every day), there are many smaller groups. Welcome!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Really good tip!