Adobe lightroom or Corel paintshop pro: I'm wondering if any of you guys have used both Corel Paint Shop Pro Ultimate and Adobe Lightroom. I was in a local computer shop and one of the...

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I'm wondering if any of you guys have used both Corel Paint Shop Pro Ultimate and Adobe Lightroom. I was in a local computer shop and one of the techs recommended Corel Paint Shop over Adobe Lightroom. I had Lightroom 6 on my laptop before it crashed and I can't get it back because it was given by a friend and I don't have a key for a new install. Now I'm trying to decide if Lightroom is worth the difference in price over Corel Paintshop. The computer tech say's that it definitely isn't. I always come here before I make any significant photography decisions and I always get great advice. I would be grateful for any advice regarding these photo editing programs. I also have Nikon View NX2 on my desktop but I don't know how it compares to either of these two programs because I'm just getting into post processing and editing and I don't know much about these programs yet.

Kuzano

PVR8 wrote:

I'm wondering if any of you guys have used both C... (show quote)

Corel PSP has always been highly regarded, so let me ask the obvious... Where are you going to learn the program.

Editing programs are NOT in the slightest "intuitive" in nature.

Look first at the amount of learning material in the market and on the internet for each one. They will both likely get the job done once you make your way through the learning curve.

We all have our favorites as does your "expert" advisor. Some have bias's based on what pays the rent. First and foremost, a "tech" in a computer shop is more biased than most.

(Worked in a computer store for five years, where we built computers. We sold what the owner bought and told us to sell. As a rule, independent stores make a much larger markup on most retail software and NOT on Adobe products.)

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks. What you say makes a lot of sense. I actually mentioned to the computer tech that there's a lot more info regarding Lightroom than what I've seen about Paintshop. I am going to go on youtube to see what's available for Painshop. BTW, this computer shop doesn't sell either of these programs. He looked it up on Amazon so that I could compare prices. Lightroom costs about 3 times as much as Paintshop so I would be quite happy to save that additional money if Paintshop is actually comparable. Thanks again.

Kuzano wrote:

Corel PSP has always been highly regarded, so let ... (show quote)

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I have used both, I also pick Corel Paint Shop Pro over Lightroom.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks. I have a feeling that I am going to end up with the Corel Paintshop Pro program. I just hope that I can find good instruction on how to use it. I'm a totally beginning novice with pp programs.

HOT Texas wrote:

I have used both, I also pick Corel Paint Shop Pro over Lightroom.

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

PVR8 wrote:

I'm wondering if any of you guys have used both C... (show quote)

One is a pixel level editor, the other a raw converter - comparing apples and pears - both are fruit, they grow on trees, but they really are different.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cool analogy. I suppose Lightroom is the raw converter. Does that mean that Paintshop can't convert raw images? Is there any advantages or disadvantages to either of the platforms when it comes to pp and editing?

Gene51 wrote:

One is a pixel level editor, the other a raw converter - comparing apples and pears - both are fruit, they grow on trees, but they really are different.

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

PVR8 wrote:

Cool analogy. I suppose Lightroom is the raw converter. Does that mean that Paintshop can't convert raw images? Is there any advantages or disadvantages to either of the platforms when it comes to pp and editing?

Actually, a comparison between Photoshop and Paintshop would be a fairer one. Both have raw converters, file browsers, and pixel-level editors.

In the same vein, a fair comparison could be made between Aperture, Lightroom, DXO Optics 10 and Phase One Capture One - all are regarded as batch-capable raw converters and organization tools. Fast, but only as good as a parametric editor can be - nowhere near the accuracy possible with a pixel level editor.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks! Your expertise has actually helped me to decide to go with Paint Shop. Thanks again...

Gene51 wrote:

Actually, a comparison between Photoshop and Paintshop would be a fairer one. Both have raw converters, file browsers, and pixel-level editors.

In the same vein, a fair comparison could be made between Aperture, Lightroom, DXO Optics 10 and Phase One Capture One - all are regarded as batch-capable raw converters and organization tools. Fast, but only as good as a parametric editor can be - nowhere near the accuracy possible with a pixel level editor.

Griff Loc: Warwick U.K.

Could I put in a few words for FastStone Image Viewer as a 'first instance' photo editor?
It is fast and has a brilliant work space.
The only drawback I have found against PaintShopPro is that it seems not to have any correction for perspective distortion, though I may have missed it.
It is also freeware but with no 'stowaways'!
You will need something like PaintShop for more advanced editing but as a starter it is excellent, and fairly intuitive .

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Have both. Like PSP better

Have been with PSP since its beginning when I also had PS. Dropped PS and have PSP. .

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

PVR8 wrote:

Thanks! Your expertise has actually helped me to decide to go with Paint Shop. Thanks again...

Think about his before you jump. The cloud version is LR 6 aka LR CC AND Photoshop in one for $10 a month. A powerful combination. You can do from 90 to 100% in LR and when you need to get to the pixel/layer/etc level you jump into PS and save you results in LR with it's organizational strength. As for education, to get yourself up to speed, there are thousands of free videos and oodles of books on both.

My opinion Paint shop is not the way other than you current familiarity and avoids the learning curve. I have a few computer geeks in my extended family and they each have a set of biases, and facts be damned. :)

bearwitme Loc: VA, USA

PVR8 wrote:

I'm wondering if any of you guys have used both C... (show quote)

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I use PSP Ultimate. I am still learning this post processing thing and I am getting better. I found a web site that provides FREE PSP Training online. You have to request access and maintain doing projects that they provide once a week. the link is http://bw-forums.com/index.php. Corel web site also have training videos you can watch and there is You Tube as well. I also contemplated doing the Light room/ Photoshop thing but decided to go with PSP. Good luck with your decision..

R Crawford Loc: Bryan, Texas

I have both. To me I can not believe the arguments for LR.

Yes it is the most popular, yes there are many learning venues, yes it easy to buy & maintain, but PSP has all the learning venues from U tube, and user forums that you could possible need.

It has layers, and with Topaz plug-ins it is as powerful as they get. Plus it is much cheaper.

You can use just a small section of PSP called "Adjust" I think mimics LR to some extent as it is the easy section.

Much of what goes on with the love of one or the other is familiarity.

The latest version (PSP Pro X7) has taken on a whole new refinement. If you watch & wait you can get it for a heck of a discount.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks to everyone for your input. This forum is as good as it gets and you guys are the best. I have decided to go with PSP because it seem like a much better value. Thanks again!