DragonsLady Loc: Los Alamos, NM

I didn't see anyone suggesting Adobe Photoshop Elements. Not as hard to learn/use and still helps you make your pictures great.

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

The most frustrating thing is to get outdated software - Lightroom 6 - you don't want to buy a license for software that will no longer be updated.

You don't want software that is not widely recignized and supported. Most software other than On1, Photoshop/Lightroom, DXO PhotoPro, Capture One falls into that category.

Don't chase easy - easy to learn software is limited - otherwise it wouldn't be easy. Easy to use software is software that allows you to work with it the way you want - now and in the future as your skill level increases.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

"I really don't want to sit in front of my PC all day everyday learning" Whatever program you choose, you will have to spend X amount of time learning the quirks of that particular software; How much, depends on you. There s nothing out there, cheap, expensive, or free, that you can plug a photo into and "fix", without investing some time in front of your computer.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

And, READ the tutorials first!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Try a free (yes free) trial of “LUMINAR” for a month and see how easy it is with it’s presets and simple functions, without using books, video or on-line training. It is so intuative and easy... If ya like it, it does cost $69 for a lifetime of easy editing.

car buff

Luminar and Aurora HDR are having issues, frustrating.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Look at Zoner Photo Studio.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you have limited experience doing post-processing and don't want to spend a lot, I'd recommend Adobe Elements 2018.

It's sold with perpetual license for about $100 and is fairly comprehensive with both organization tools (like Lightroom) and image editing and optimization tools (like Photoshop). It's sort of like a "light" version of those two, which are now only offered via a monthly subscription.

Elements has built-in support for new users. You can choose to use it in Beginner, Intermediate or Expert mode.... switching between them as you see fit.

I WOULD NOT recommend LR & PS for a beginner. They are ONLY sold via subscription ($120 a year presently). But possibly more importantly, there is NO built-in support for Lightroom or, especially, Photoshop. So with those you should figure on at least buying some books and spending some time with online seminars or taking some night classes to learn to use them well. Photoshop, in particular, is extremely complex.

There are other programs available... ranging from free to expensive, easy to complex. But Elements, Lightroom and Photoshop have been around and successful for a long, long time and are among the most widely used and supported. For examples, you'll find lots of plug-ins and actions written for Elements, LR and PS. Probably more so than all other image editing and organizing s'ware put together.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

What issues, I have both and have not run into any issues?

car buff

ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER, POUR SUPPORT, LOTS OF OTHERS PEOPLE ALSO. WOULD LIKE TO USE, SO FRUSTRATING.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Luminar mainly has issues with the Windows version. The Mac version is the main one and is complete. The Windows version gets closer with every update, but it's not there yet.

photodoc16

Yssirk123,
I looked seriously at Luminar but kept reading that it was still missing some programs that were on it originally when it was exclusively an Apple program. What do you know about that issue?
Thanks,
Photodoc16

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Thanks, I use the Mac version that is probably why I haven't had problems. SkyLum formally Macphun had more experience developing for the Apple systems and none for the Windows systems, so it may take them some time to catch up.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Have you looked into Photoshop Elements, it is a trimmed-down Photoshop but credible and less costly. Avoid the subscription options if your use is occasional.

RichardE Loc: California

I agree! Remember that Luminar is a stand-alone or a LR plugin. I use it as a plug-in as Luminar does not have a DAM as yet. Promised in the near future (2018).
Another, that is for PS is Zone System Express 4 (I also have). A panel with all you may need containing easy to use actions.