roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca

I am ready to progress to better PP, currently using Adobe Premiere. I need a program for processing RAW, layering, etc. Recommendations? And should I also purchase "How To" use the program. I have no personal help available. Would like to have a free grace period in case I am over my head.

chevman Loc: Matthews, North Carolina

You can try Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom CC for 30 days. Or you can continue with your current PP using Elements Premier by just opening your RAW files in Adobe RAW (ACR) and adjusting all of the revelent parts of your photo in that which is 16 bit before going to the rest of the editing in Elements. ACR has all the basic tools that you will find in the develop module of Lightroom CC. Or you can buy Adobe Lightroom 6 and be able to organize all your photos and also do almost all of the editing necessary for a good photo to print or share. Lightroom is a very powerful program and has lots of capabilities for almost all your processing needs unless you feel you need to do alot of pixel editing.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I would suggest switching to camera raw format in your camera. Then I would suggest subscribing to Adobe Cc which will give you access to both Lightroom and Photoshop. You will need to signup for a year at $9.99 per month. Both have a steep learning curve. Then buy training videos for Lightroom first or check with your local community colleges or photograghy clubs/ organizations to learn the program. I have been very pleased with Laura Shoe's online training videos. See Laurashoe.com. Once you feel you have a good understanding of LR look for training for PS. You will be amazed at what you can do during post processing. But, what ever you do based on the excellent advice you will receive here, practice, practice. Practice taking pictures and practice during post processing. The results will be gratifying.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Adobe Premier is a video editing programme. This is usually paired with Photoshop Elements. If you have both then PE only requires ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) loaded as a plug-in and you are good to go.

DvlDawg Loc: Pensacola, FL

Check out Lynda.com. We used this in my college graphics classes.

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

Books by Scott Kelby. He writes books for photographers on LL PS PP. He shows you how to edit and make adjustments. I own several of his books and now subscribe to Kelby one web site.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I'm a bit confused when you say you want to move on to better software and are currently using Adobe Premiere. Confused because Premiere is video software not stills software. Did you mean Photoshop Elements?

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Take a look at the Photoshop alternative called Affinity Photo, it is less expensive at $49.99 non subscription.

https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/photo/

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I have used Zoner Photo Studio for several years, why not give that a try:

https://www.zoner.com/

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

I suggest Lr/PsCC/ - it will serve your immediate needs, and those for years to come. Things go best if you work with raw files.

Learning curve is really no different than any other software that has similar functionality.

Lr is easier - fewer commands, less ability to edit images, but it only edits parametrically - in that it is hard to be precise with where you apply adjustments. It is called "workflow" software because it does very short work of very large tasks. It is easy to apply edits to large numbers of raw files at once. It's output, while good, is not considered "finished" - there are always opportunity to improve on an image edited in Lr. The editing part is easy and powerful.

The Lr catalog is what makes everyone crazy. In order to edit a file in Lr, you need to add it to the catalog. You can let Lr import images to the location of your choice, or you can import the image files outside of Lr, then you must synchronize the folder you imported with Lr. Most people don't understand this and really struggle with it. Once you start using Lr, it is much easier to conduct all of your file management inside of Lr, unless your computer skills are up to snuff, in which case you can work inside and outside of Lr, as long as you understand the rules and abide by them.

Ps is the undisputed king of image and graphics editing - a true standard in the industry. It has a formidable set of commands with myriad options, and there is nothing you can't do with it. But it does have quite a learning curve if you set out to learn everything, but most people can use it productively with learning just what you need to know to adjust your images to your taste. I've been using Ps since 1999, and I use it professionally, but don't know everything, but I know enough for my needs, and I also know that if there is something I need to do, there are literally 1,000s of web resources that I can turn to, the majority of which are free.

A steep learning curve should not be a reason to consider other software. Learning is good, and once you get the learning curve behind you, it's in the past. The pain is temporary, the benefits are limitless.

If your computer skills are thin, it would behoove you to get them up to speed.

As far as how to apply the power of Lr and Ps - you will need to ensure that your image evaluation skills are solid. You look at an image and you can immediately identify weaknesses that you should be able to address with software. This is true for any package you might use. if your skills weak in this area, your results will be similarly weak. It's all about vision, aesthetic and artistic sense and balance. No software in the world can provide that, but good software will help you leverage the power of a powerful package.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lots of choices, many with a free trial period. As for getting in over your head, most of your processing will involve adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights, saturation, and sharpness. Almost any program can let you make those adjustments easily. You don't have to spend a huge amount of money.

Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
Others
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/03/23/best-photo-editing-software-photoshop-cc-and-7-photoshop-alternatives-tested/1/
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/

For free -
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

I agree with this recommendation, including the fact that Lightroom is the place to start, not with Photoshop. However, I would warn you that Adobe CC is different (and more expensive, at about $30/month) from Adobe Photo CC which is still $9.99 a month with a 1-year commitment. The Adobe website is pretty confusing regarding this distinction.

The more expensive Adobe CC does include Adobe Premier but that is a video editor that you are not likely to need. In fact if you do feel you need a video editor I would suggest Corel's Video Studio as being less expensive and easier to use.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Regardless of whatever software you choose, learn it a step at a time. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to learn all of it at the same time.
--Bob

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Most people recommend the software they have learned and currently using. Few have tried more than one package, and fewer yet are familiar enough with two or more to give you good advice. I have used PS Elements since version 2 and now have version 15. Over the years I have tried most free or trial versions, but never long enough to determine if they are better, or worse than Elements. To people who ask, I first recommend the free software that came with their camera, and if they don't like that package, Elements. If they are good friends I will let them play around with Elements on my PC, and offer some tutoring here and there.

If you are still undecided,aAsk Yahoo or Google for digital photograph editing software reviews and read those that compare two or more products.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Beware of "Helsinki Bus Station Theory" when choosing any photo editing software.

If you can be bothered you can read all about here: http://www.fotocommunity.com/info/Helsinki_Bus_Station_Theory