DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I think that was true in the distant past, but Windows Explorer does support tags (also called keywords) now. IMHO, they are a bit cumbersome to apply but it can be done.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Learning Photoshop isn't the problem, but using it can be a problem. PS can monkey wrench a raw workflow by introducing a destructive element. It also increases your required disk storage and complicates file management. If you have to use it then use it -- getting the photo right is most important, but if you can avoid using it you gain the advantage of a fully non-destructive raw workflow and save a lot of disk space.

rvenneman Loc: Yuma, AZ

I compared the dollars spent when Photoshop and Lightroom were purchased items and then purchasing a yearly upgrade to the current subscription and the subscription based plan was so much cheaper. $9.99 per month? I spent way, way more than this on upgrading when new version came out. Think of how much money you have spent on your gear.
I have monthly plan for my music sequencing program (applications if you are 35 or younger or “apps if you are 25 and younger) which gives me a updated and upgrades and updates plus any new sounds that are developed. Plus it included a sister program for music notation. I am just using this for example.
A lot of program based companies like the catch phrase “buy it once..no subscription”. While this is true they are misleading because what they say and what I hear are different. What I hear is “buy it once, no subscription, no more paying” may be true to a point. What they really mean is you own the current version. What you don’t own is any upgrades. You buy and keep the current version.
If you don’t want current versions with all the née bells and whistles, which I am NOT, then go and buy the current version.

wildconc2001 Loc: Chicagoland

Lightroom and Photoshop together are 10 dollars a month.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Being an Adobe product, I got tired of the almighty $$$ going out every month. I did a long search over a 4 month period, evaluated a number of other sw graphics package, focusing on CorelDraw & AcDSee Ultimate.
ACDSee is what I had used back when they first came out & had switched over to CorelDraw for about 6 years.
However after evaluating my needs and the ease of the 2 products, I renewed my SW license with ACDSee Ultimate 2020
Since purchasing the Ultimate 2020, they have released a new Ultimate 2021. Yearly license is about $85-$90. Unless I want to upgrade, I get my updates free of charge

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Group,
Until I retired as a magazine editor 3 years ago, I never thought I'd leave the LR/PS $10.00 combo subscription. Then I retired and one day discovered I was "editing" a picture and figured it cost me almost $60.00 to do so; I just wasn't using the program(s) enough to warrant the cost. I've switched to Bridge (free) and PSE/PRE 15 and find they do everything I need for the catalog and magazine photography I still do. I use Bridge almost every day to illustrate pictures (full screen) on Zoom via Screen Share. I'm more than happy with Bridge with the PSE/PRE combo. Take care & ...

wildconc2001 Loc: Chicagoland

That makes sense. I didn't know you could get Bridge free.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Getting the photo right is always good but there are times when it's not possible.
Using Photoshop does increase disk usage since the files are large but memory is cheap these days. My Photoshop usage covers probably less then 10% of my images. Most work is done directly in LR.

As far as destructive editing, using LR -> PS -> LR can be nondestructive. Going back to LR from PS gets saved as a separate entry in your catalog if you save as psd or tif. And you can mark PS edited images by specifying the file name in the external editing preference (I usually use the original file name with CC21 appended). PS by itself can be destructive or nondestructive depending on how you use it. And as long as you are starting with a raw file, that is not changed so you can always start over.

Using PS can be a problem but solutions exist to minimize that.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I use LR/PS and love it. But I also buy tools at Harbor Freight.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Lightroom plus Photoshop are $10/month.

srt101fan

Here's another vote for Harbor Freight.....

IDguy Loc: Idaho

The Organizer in PSE is awesome. Most users that complain simply haven’t learned its power.

I use Lightroom but recall how good the PSE Organizer was.

I’ve tried Bridge, too. It doesn’t measure up.

amadjuster Loc: Amarillo, TX

Keep that money going to China.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The grass is always greener when you organize with Lightroom.

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

I use Xnview and Affinity Photo.