luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you for your insights. I really appreciate it.

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

I am not sure if you realize this, but you never "own" the software in either scenario. You purchase a license to use it - but ownership remains with Adobe. You cannot resell it, you cannot transfer it to someone else, if you load it on more than one computer at attempt to run simultaneous sessions you can get "found out" and so on. All you own with a perpetual license is the right to use it in accordance with Adobe's intent. There is little value to owning something that will not be supported. At some point in time I am certain I will have to reload CS6 if I want to still use it, and if something is wrong with the media I would be able to download a working copy from Adobe.

But that is a hypothetical - the reality is that I have no use for CS6. I will never use it. In the event Adobe raises its price on the PS/LR bundle, I will be better serviced by an alternate - perhaps a combination of Photoline, Capture One and DXO - each of which is pretty good and does certain things that are not easily possible in PS/CC. I like the catalog system, but DXO's project system and CaptureOne's browser/catalog are also pretty good - so if I have to start using a different raw converter it won't be the end of the world.

I am not an Adobe Loyalist - I simply use the best software for the task - I waited until PS/CC went to $10/mo -before buying in. It was my primary objection - $120/yr works for me.

If think about it - a corporation buys a custom written application - it pays an initial up front price for development and implementation. Then it pays an ongoing price for maintenance - that constitutes a subscription. Adobe's plan is no different - and it offers the same benefits. It just doesn't come on a DVD.

blackest Loc: Ireland

It doesn't appear that the Gimp will work as a host program on OSX as the plugin that is required doesn't exist for OSX just Windows and Linux via wine.
I'm still looking for a viable alternative host.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

No more updated hard copies of Lightroom I presume? I>E> stuck with LR 5.7 forever if you don't sign up for cc?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Adobe says Lightroom will continue to be updated and sold independently of CC. There sometimes may be tiny incremental updates that go to the CC version in between. Lots of people are quite content with just Lightroom and don't want or need the rest of the CC package.

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

GIMP has been OSX native since 2012. Just download it from GIMP.org.

Take a look at Pixelmator as well. http://www.pixelmator.com/mac/

Really though, at $10/mo, PS and LR is a great value, you always have the latest version of both apps. If you actually update your software, it works out to about the same or a little less than the outright purchase every year or so for both apps. (Although you can't do that with PS).

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's why I'm glad I bought PS when it was still available.

blackest Loc: Ireland

I think you misunderstood what I was saying, Photoshop often isn't used for much beyond launching other programs. e.g ACR for basic adjustments then back to photoshop to launch say silverfx to process as B&W then back to photoshop to export as a jpeg.

GIMP on windows has had a plugin to call photoshop plugins since 2001 but that plugin doesn't exist for MAC there might be a way to call the standalone version of the plugin suite though. Maybe save as psd open in perfect effects and open again in Gimp for example.

I will take a look at pixelmator. If you read my earlier post $10 a month is only available to US subscribers for users elsewhere its more, for me it's $16 a month and that stinks, other American companies such as onone don't price this way.

If Photoshop is the only game in town then the price is what the price is, if not they may reconsider.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

You make very convincing and elegant arguments. I get by with an old version of CS5. Granted, I don't know what I'm missing because I have never used PS CC. I'm also a straggler and still use Aperture with Nik filters to store my photos. I'm holding off to see what Apple is going to replace Aperture with in 2015. I would never notice $120 per year. I think I lose that much in the loose change that falls from my pockets and is lost in my couch cushions. :wink:

I hold off for a few reasons:
1) I live out in the boonies where my Internet is slow and intermittent. (Typically 4 Mbps download with occasional bursts to 10 Mbps) Sometimes on weekends it will go out completely and I must wait until Monday when the linemen return to work. If my files are on a CC I'm screwed. I prefer them on a dedicated HD attached with Velcro to the lid of my lap top. I also back EVERYTHING up wirelessly to another bigger HD.

2) I don't like/trust being at the whim of Adobe's will and pricing where they have all my photos.

3) I enjoy the independence of living on a hill top with my own back-up whole house power, natural gas powered generator. When the power grid goes off in storm, as it does a couple times a year, I lose my connection to the Internet but I still have power and can enjoy taking photos and processing them.

Am I missing something? Please point out any errors in my thinking.

I'm also a big fan of DxO and recently piccure+ to process my raw files. I use CS5, Aperture, and Nik filters to manipulate the images. The latest version of DxO does 90% of what needs to be done. I only use PS when I need layers or serious touch up.

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

Your files ARE NOT stored in the cloud with CC. They reside on your local HD.

Graeme Loc: El Cerrito, California

Pardon a simple question: what happens when one has no Internet connection? E.g. traveling for sometime. What access does one have?

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Ah, Thank you for clearing up my misconception.:idea:

Now PS CC is looking more attractive to me.

Wallbanger Loc: Madison, WI

The latest version of LR has a great library import tool to migrate from Aperture/iPhoto as well.

Graeme Loc: El Cerrito, California

Thanks for the quick reply!