Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Does anyone use an alternative to Lightroom? I was thinking about Topaz Studio. Does anyone use Topaz Studio as a standalone? Do you just download your images to PICTURES on your computer's folder, then go from there?
What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some choices -

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/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/photo-editing
https://www.reviews.com/photo-editing-software/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-photo-editing-software,review-1972.html
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/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd recommend either of the two following. Light Zone and Phocus. However, Phocus is only available for Macs. Both are free.
--Bob
http://www.lightzoneproject.org/
http://www.hasselblad.com/software/phocus

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

My thoughts are that I will continue to use Lightroom--even on my iPhone.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Macohun Luminar.

Affinity

cthahn

I use Lightroom, Photoshop, and Bridge. It works, more features than I will ever use. No reason to take time to try something else that someone thinks is better.

leftj Loc: Texas

I use Luminar and am very pleased with it.

leftj Loc: Texas

That would be "MacPhun"

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Yes.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Capture One Pro. Available as a purchase or subscription and free for Sony cameras.

I prefer it to Lightroom because you don’t need to use the catalog that is such a problem for many.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

I'm using Capture One. I like it. It is expensive to purchase but there is no monthly charge. There is a learning curve, particularly for creating catalogs and files etc. I'm still climbing it. I'd been using Aperture but Aperture does not read the RAW files from the Olympus EM1ii. C1 allows a greater range of adjustments than Aperture. Alas, there is no good manual available. Some of the You Tube instructional videos are useless regarding how to create catalogs or sessions. Would prefer an approach: First you . . . then you. . . then you . . . as opposed to tangential (and frequently excessively self-referential) comments on photography. I suspect anyone who is familiar with Lightroom would find it a bit easier as the interface seems to resemble Lightroom.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Sessions are easier to work with. You have total control over where to keep the files and which ones to back up. You can also move your work to a second computer.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

My frustration with Adobe (Elements & Lightroom) when they went to the monthly rental plan, led me to try other editing programs that might be available for a stand-alone application. On1 Photo RAW was introducing it's 2017 program that seemed to offer a lot of promise, so I opted for it. It has been a frustrating year as they continually fought several instability problems that caused the program to freeze up, but I hesitated throwing it out as it had a lot of hope with tons of tutorial videos and response from actual techs.

They're about to introduce the 2018 version as I'm presently evaluating a Beta copy and so far, many (but not all) of the problems have been addressed. They offer a thirty day trial of a slightly stripped down version that contains all of the standard, non-destructive editing features including layers and an exciting resize module. The photos can be clicked on from your usual browse, whether in Windows or Apple, and does not need to be imported from a catalog. The final version, soon to be introduced, will have a Panorama, HDR module along all the bells & whistles you'll ever need. The program's going to need a fast GPU like those found in gaming computers to make it show off it's full potential.

I'm going to purchase the newer version ($79.99 upgrade, $99.99 full price) and say farewell to Adobe.
https://www.on1.com/promo/photo-raw-2018-beta/?gclid=CjwKCAjwmqHPBRBQEiwAOvbR8xeM4f-lHNnjnun-iTPUPpztzLbfA8cQ2nKX9yCOwvI1iysztFOa5xoChucQAvD_BwE

Jack

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

Lightzone is an open source "free" alternative. Also GIMP but it has a very steep learning curve, also open source.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

The version that is free when you purchase a Sony camera is a 'light' version, not the full featured version. It's not bad, but a purchase is necessary to get all the excellent features.