Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

First of all, I mean you no disrespect, but your request says a lot about you. 1. Apparently you've been taking photos for awhile but haven't mastered the techniques and have grown impatient with the results. 2. Now you are looking for ways to enhance your shots but aren't interested in taking the time to learn how. I wish you the best with your quest for instant knowledge.

Bison Bud

For processing Raw files, try a free download of "Rawtherapee," I've found it able to do most everything I need and the learning curve isn't quite so severe. There are some decent tutorials on YouTube that will help you get started. Rawtherappe is open source software and I believe it to be a downsized version of "Gimp" which is the open source solution often compared to the other commercial packages like Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity, etc. It can't hurt to give it a try, the price is certainly right! As for a .JPEG editor, there is an online solution called "PicMonkey" that has quite a few options. PicMonkey lets you try out the basic editor first, but then does ask for a fee for the full software access. It's been awhile since I've used it, but the fee wasn't much and my local library now provides free access on their computers. Good luck and good shooting to all.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Try Paint Shop Pro, easy to learn, very complete, frequently on sale, Bob.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I had that on my PC, but when I went totally to Mac for photo editing found out they don't make a Mac version.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

There is a learning curve for almost any software and that certainly applies to image editing software. As for cost, there is a wide range from free to quite expensive. Often you can download a free demo copy and that may be helpful for weeding out poor choices, but generally a 30-day trial is not enough time to get very comfortable with new software unless you are ready and willing to make it your sole activity for that trial period.

I do use Lightroom for my initial editing, but mostly I admire it for its file management capabilities and file management is not what you want to start with as a beginner. With a Google search you can find a free download of Darktable that is somewhat similar to Lightroom in capabilities and perhaps that would be a place to start. Another editor that is low-priced but not free is the one I started with, Corel's Paintshop Pro. It is a very capable editor similar to Photoshop.

I now use Topaz Studio quite a lot and I do like it; if it were any good at managing files I'd probably switch to using only Studio. I suspect it would be easier to learn to use it than most other capable editors, but if you go this way take the time making sure your PC is up to the job. I found I had to upgrade my graphics card in order to use Studio and that took some time and effort.

rayr

Smart Photo Editor. http://www.smartphotoeditor.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-uzVBRDkARIsALkZAdlwn0JXkKqa_1RyS5slHNT306MuQaeOHWz6AtXqAFCfjgde4l8Fb-oaAoeBEALw_wcB

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

OK, OK, your lucky day... Give Away of The Day... is your til midnight.... Free today only....
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bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I've used that , an older version of course, was pretty good, stopped using it though as I had PSP, didn't need two programs and PSP fitted my needs better.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Also there are a lot of presets that work well and easy to get to- you can make the software as easy or as complicated as you chose. And it is reasonably priced and not a subscription.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Affinity Photo runs on Mac & Windows, is just under $50, no subscription, intuitive, and has many tutorials linked to it. I don’t miss Aperture anymore, REALLY don’t miss Elements, and though the learning curve to proficiency is steep, the learning curve to basic functioning is not.

timcc Loc: Virginia

Years ago I started with Picasa, which is a free and intuitive program that is easy to learn and fun to use, especially if you don't want to spend a lot of time learning more complex PP software (I currently use Capture One, but would not recommend it given your needs). Google no longer supports Picasa 3, but if you Google it, you will find a site where it is downloadable.

andrew12

DxO Optics PhotoLab

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use Photoshop Elements, a parred down version of Photoshop but does everything I want to do. It's about $70. Has Quick, Guided, and Expert modes for editing, plus a RAW editor. Its Organizer is a database where you can create tags for your photos, batch them together in events, or create albums. Lots of options for organizing. Lots of YouTube videos for free to get you started.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Try the free Adobe Photoshop Express. Excellent for quick edits and easy to use.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Ok. You want good photo-enhancing software, you have a LOT to learn, and you don't want to spend a lot of time learning. Almost any post-processing application can be used to improve the quality of your images, but I think you will be dissatisfied with whatever you choose, because the image quality is highly dependent on the knowledge and skill of person using the post-processing application, and it takes time and effort to develop that knowledge and skill.

I want to be a brain surgeon, but I don't want to spend time learning. What advice do you have for me?