Digital darkroom choice(s)? I have used Adobe Photoshop 7 for many years now, but I believe the time has come to use a newer product. Unfortunately, Adobe do not provide any telephone...

Tsadeeq Loc: Louisiana

I have used Adobe Photoshop 7 for many years now, but I believe the time has come to use a newer product. Unfortunately, Adobe do not provide any telephone customer service for most of their products and I have no idea what to choose that will allow me similar utilities to those of Photoshop 7. I have been thinking about a new version of Photoshop, Lightroom, Photoshop Elements 12, Photoshop CC or one of the other many Adobe products. However, I am completely confused and on a limited budget. I do not need or want the Cloud service(s), but I do need some help and advice on what product or products to choose. PLEASE!

peteto Loc: Las Vegas

How about Lightroom 5. Excellent software.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Tsadeeq said in part: , I am completely confused and on a limited budget." (most will not pay attention to "limited budget")

Not sure if PS CS2 free is still available or ever was. If not then I would suggest Paintshop Pro X6 Ultimate. Often on sale and has great versatility. With money saved from PSP vs Adobe, I would invest in Topaz Programs. The revised Remask is on sale half price til end of month. Topaz programs add great versatility to editing... makes life easy and works magic.

Adobe to most is an EGO trip thing... a waste of $$.. cloud.. no way... my programs are not floating around in some ectoplasm form viewable during sconces.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I picked up PSE 12 for about $70 and it's easier to find your way around than previous versions. Still working Layers though but it is a very powerful tool.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Go for Lightroom. Many accomplish everything in Lightroom and if you need more add Elements at a later date. Suggest you try Lightroom for the thirty day free trial. Take a look at http://www.jkost.com/ to give yourself an idea of what can be done in LR. ;)

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Tsadeeq wrote:

I have used Adobe Photoshop 7 for many years now, ... (show quote)

My vote is for Lightroom 5, hands down. There is a learning curve but not quite as steep as Photo Shop Elements 12 (I have both). There are some things that Lightroom 5 cannot do (if not there would be no market for Adobe's other product PSE 12) but Lightroom 5 can handle MOST of what you want to do. And if you can only have one, have LIghtroom 5. Everyone has their favorites for post processing, but that's my 2¢ worth. Thanks, Bob

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Db7423 wrote:

Go for Lightroom. Many accomplish everything in Lightroom and if you need more add Elements at a later date. Suggest you try Lightroom for the thirty day free trial. ;)

I hardly never use PSE anymore after getting LR5. Layers are not an option with LR, but most changes I make are sharpness & clarity, contrast, exposure and basic cloning, all of which are handled easily by Lightroom. You might even find (this is a guess) that your old PhotoShop software can run as a plug-in from LR5. On one of my machines I have LR5 talking to PSE9 so at least those two will work together.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Tsadeeq wrote:

I have used Adobe Photoshop 7 for many years now, ... (show quote)

Do you use PC or Mac computer platform? Some differing options are available.

Adobe CC for $10 a month is good option if you don't object to the subscription model. It fits my own retiree budget better than a large one time purchase. You get Lightroom and photoshop and their upgrades. You keep the software and your files on your computer as always. The only thing that happens "in the cloud" is Adobe checking to be sure you paid your bill.

If you want a one time purchase, Lightroom or Lightroom + Elements should be a good solution. But there are other options, depending on your computer platform.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I hardly never use PSE anymore after getting LR5. Layers are not an option with LR, but most changes I make are sharpness & clarity, contrast, exposure and basic cloning, all of which are handled easily by Lightroom. You might even find (this is a guess) that your old PhotoShop software can run as a plug-in from LR5. On one of my machines I have LR5 talking to PSE9 so at least those two will work together.

Indeed. I'm still using LR4 with Elements 11 as a plug in. I rarely use Elements unless I want to remove something like a power line from a photo. With the improved brush in LR5 I could probably scrap Elements altogether. I am looking forward to upgrading to LR6 when it comes along. My guess is the very few times I go to Elements now will become never with LR6. ;)

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

Tsadeeq wrote:

... I am completely confused and on a limited budget. I do not need or want the Cloud service(s), but I do need some help and advice on what product or products to choose. PLEASE!

I suggest you look into the free of charge post processing software such as GIMP (Gnu IMage Processing), Darktable and Lightzone. They are all free software (no purchase fees, no license fees, no maintenance fees, and no limited free trials).

You can get more information about them and other post-processing software at the Post-Processing Digital Image Forum.

Jerry

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

jgitomer wrote:

I suggest you look into the free of charge post processing software such as GIMP (Gnu IMage Processing), Darktable and Lightzone. They are all free software (no purchase fees, no license fees, no maintenance fees, and no limited free trials).

You can get more information about them and other post-processing software at the Post-Processing Digital Image Forum.

Jerry

Tsdeeq, If I could buy only one post processing tool, I'd go with LR. That said, even given budget limitations--which we all have--I would suggest seriously considering the almost classic combination of LightRoom and Photoshop Elements. Many here have said LR will do 95% of what you need and then PSE will do 99% of the rest. Because these two work together so well, I haven't been able to convince myself to go to full blown PS in spite of several concerted efforts to do so. For around $200, you will get virtually every tool you'll need to do spectacular post processing.

Tsadeeq Loc: Louisiana

It seems like everyone is first of all, very helpful and that is much appreciated! Second, I rarely find a group of people who all seem to be in agreement as to which way to go and I believe I will have to take the collective advice.

Any more input will of course be appreciated.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

[quote=doduce]Tsdeeq, Many here have said LR will do 95% of what you need and then PSE will do 99% of the rest.

I'm musing a bit here, but if LR can do 95% of what's needed I would think a near-future version of LR could be developed to do the other 5%. If so, PSE could be phased out, leaving us with the choice of the full blown PS and LR.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

[quote=Billbobboy42]

doduce wrote:

Tsdeeq, Many here have said LR will do 95% of what you need and then PSE will do 99% of the rest.

I'm musing a bit here, but if LR can do 95% of what's needed I would think a near-future version of LR could be developed to do the other 5%. If so, PSE could be phased out, leaving us with the choice of the full blown PS and LR.

Could be, but it's very likely all or mostly about Adobe's bottom line. Is the company willing to give up PSE and its customer base--as well as the photographers that use only some very specific parts of PS or CC--by adding some missing capabilities, such as working with layers, to LR. Maybe, but I don't think I'm feeling it. :)

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

As someone else posted, if you are budget limited, download Gimp and or Lightzone...they are both free.