Michael, I don't think you read my post. I have said what I personally like, but that there are many other products that will work just fine. In fact, I think I specifically mentioned elements earlier in this thread. My point was, and is, that you should choose whatever software you think meets your ease of learning needs now and will grow along with your photographic progress.

I just don't think that how you pay for software should matter. Within our lifetimes, I expect that almost everything we use will be either freeware/shareware, or on some kind of subscription plan.

My company uses MS Office, a specific proprietary lending and underwriting software, AutoCAD, a proprietary construction / spec writing package, secure encrypted email transmission, and a customer contact package - plus, of course, our security and anti-virus packages. Although you can buy Office as a standalone, that version doesn't incorporate web-based email in the basic package. Every single other piece of software we use is available by subscription only. That's the way the world is turning. We may or may not like it, but the model of subscription services makes so much sense to both seller and consumer that it's soon going to be nearly universal for big companies.

Andy

Aw Andy, I was just funnin' ya. Every time I see a topic from an OP asking for a ' basic, entry level or beginner' post processing program you and many other Adobe sycophants chime in with LR/PS CC. Come on, Adobe's LR/PS CC $10 buck a month rental plan works quite well for you pro's, (or wannabe's) but is hardly an entry level PP program designed for beginners and does come with a steep learning curve.

Don't get me wrong Andy, I'm not anti-Adobe because Photoshop Elements 2018 is my go to, as well as Faststone Image Viewer for all of my PP needs being an advanced amateur. What gets me is when a beginner asks for a specific beginner PP program you pros (or wannabes) tout the Adobe LR/PS $10 buck a month rental plan, which is entirely more than they need. And if their abilities in photography and post processing advance to the stage they feel they need a more powerful PP program they can always sign up at anytime and have the pleasure of Adobe deducting $10 bucks a month from their checking account.

Incidentally, I did read your post and had you simply suggested basic programs the OP asked for, that are abundant and most being free without you fawning over Lightroom, I would have stifled my urge to josh you. You and me been down this road before.

Cheers;
Michael

Michael, Michael, Michael...

I get it! And I appreciate the good natured repartee - something that's missing from a lot of dialogues these days, both here and elsewhere.

I like LR because it most effectively mirrors the kind of darkroom adjustment I remember from film and wet processing days. And, yes, I'm a "fanboy" of a lot of stuff I have affection for - including both DeSotos and fountain pens (have we discussed steam engines yet???). My only real issue with you is on the issue of subscription vs. "one time purchase" pricing. I think we're all going to wind up with the former, no matter what our preferences might be. But yeah, it pisses me off a little too.

But I always enjoy our conversations, because we're both "old timers" in terms of our views of what photography can, and should, be.

Andy