rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I've heard the word 'database' used to describe LightRoom. Is it a true 'database', which keeps extra files to make searches faster? If so, moving stuff on your own would confuse it.

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

Thanks for the kudos on my work! It's something I am constantly working on - being better at what I do.

On the other hand, I truly hate the "Evil Empire of Photo Editing" - but my beef is with people that dismiss it without really understanding why, or for a rationale not based in reality. My favorite is "I don't like renting software!". And this is bad, why? Another favorite baseless complaint is "Once they get you hooked they WILL raise the price!" Well this might be a legitimate concern, but given their history with the PS/LR bundle, the price has gone down from $30/mo to $10/mo. I know that past performance is no indication of the future. But only the beancounters at Adobe can tell you what their plans are, not some UHH poster. I am still waiting for that precipitous price increase, though.

When you get down to the numbers, it is very competitive with other titles, and basically more complete. If you are on a Mac, Paintshop is out of the question unless you want to run in a Windows emulator. If you want to run On1, which I happen to like a lot and use on nearly every image I post here, well, it's great as an add on to PS/LR but it is not a replacement for it. That is On1's target - but it's not quite ready for that just yet. If I am a shill for any company it's likely On1 and Capture One. Capture One is has the best raw editor in the industry and flawless tethering - but it's file management and "catalog" is awkward to use, and it does not play well with plugins.

Trust me, if Adobe changes the rules or the pricing substantially, I will most certainly explore my options, and it just might be I will convert my Sony-Only Capture One Pro to a $15/mo subscription to the full, supports all cameras, Capture One Pro.

I use 80% of LR, and about 25% of Photoshop, for what I do with my images. Most people will likely use less, and some, a bit more. If you get a new camera and want support for it's raw files and lens profiles and don't want to necessarily use dng, which can cause compatibility issues down the road, standalone versions of PS or LR are not going to work for you. There are so many people using software that is 10 yrs old and looking for ways to avoid paying for software by continuing to use the old stuff. The new software is faster, better, has more accurate masking tools, etc etc etc etc. it is beyond me why anyone would balk at getting it, with the price being so low.

So no, I am not a shill for Adobe, but I am someone who can appreciate good software and has no patience for trying to make not so good software work well. When someone puts software out there that is clearly better than PS/LR and lets me work more efficiently and make better images, it's goodbye to the Evil Empire. In the meantime, I am happy to pay the $10/mo. It costs me $15 per trip to cross from New Jersey to NY, or $15 to make the round trip from Westchester to Queens, and @20 to fill the tank up on my Prius. In the big picture $10/mo is pocket change.

Trust me, I am not in the habit of suggesting junk to people - I have a pretty high standard for what I use - be it hardware, cameras, lenses, or software. If it's junk I'll be the first to make that known. I am sure you've seen my mini-rants on that atrocity of a lens from Nikon - the 28-300. I have tried lots of the popular alternative photo editors - and while GIMP seems to do a decent job, it lacks refinement in the user interface, and it's only compelling reason for using it is the price. But talk about a learning curve. . . I almost got on board with Photoline, I believe it is a German title, because it was really good, at the time that Adobe was charging $30/mo for PS and was not including LR in a bundle. I almost pulled the trigger, but then Adobe dropped the price and added LR and the rest is history. I've looked at other titles and none are nearly as versatile as the Adobe stuff. When I have several thousand raw files to turn into proofs for an event such as a wedding with multiple shooters, or an equine Hunter/Jumper competition, there is nothing as fast as LR for the task.

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

Yes, it is a true database built on the old IBM SQL database platform from the 70s - SQL Light. It features really fast indexing.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

On my Windows 10 system I open two folders one where I want the photo to go, the other the folder on the card where the photos exist. I highlight the photos I want to move and use my mouse to move them to the first folder. I believe you can do the same with a Mac.

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

But he also needs an editing solution. What do you suggest?

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

Luminar 2018. It's straight forward to use and affordable.

You can save $10 if you use this code at checkout.

"Tidelandsphoto"

wildweasel

If you are looking for something to organize your images free of charge: https://www.digikam.org/

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I use Windows photo gallery, to do my first review of images, determine which ones should be keep and developed and which ones should be discarded. I use luminar for PP.
But I recommend that before buying you should take advantage of the free trail periods for several different software packages available. Adobe software, on1, Corel, Luminar, plus others. I do not know enough about the person's needs are and what work flow they would be comfortable with to make a recommendation for a single package.

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

Download Photoscape for free, it does not have all the whistles and drum's like Photoshop, but it will serve your needs. i have used this for years, as i try to get the photo as best as i can in the camera, and have very little PP to do in Photoscape.
Regards, Alfie.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

Luminar by Skylum is an alternative to photoshop. There is a fee without subscription payments.
I have a discount code, please pm me if interested.
Seems I am not allowed to post it on UHH.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Topaz Studio is becoming a very popular software and it is free. It comes with 10 free adjustments and just like the other programs discussed, you store your images where you want them.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

It is a misconception that Adobe programs reside in outer space on a cloud. Everything resides on your personal computer and only needs to shake hands with Adobe once in a while and can only be functioning on two computers at the same time. You only license the use of most any software program. Cheap and free programs are cheap and free for reasons. Adobe provides, for a fee, the finest image processing software in the world. So good that other software developers vie to have their programs function as plugins to Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom Classic. You are free to make your own choices and you should consider facts when choosing where you spend your money. I have found that when I choose the cheaper side of things that I often spend more correcting bad decisions. Good luck.

mackolb

And then there's On1 Photo Raw 2018. I LOVE IT and there are loads of online tutorials along with a free trial.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

Picasa 3 stand alone.