miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I switched from Lightroom, to the new Luminar3, and I am pleased.

eadler

Luminar 3 would be a great choice. It now has a libraries function which is a great leap from luminar 2018.

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Never used Photoshop and did not like Photoshop Elements. I use Affinity Photo and like it very much. I use the Windows file system to organize my photos, but AP will probably come out with an organizer at some point.

Eric D.

Hi Andy,

Based on the replies, it seems Lightroom (& Photoshop) are still the most popular (which honestly is not much of a surprise). However, since you mentioned your wish to avoid the subscription model, there are actually other alternatives which offer the same features when to comes to your photo editing needs. Among the alternatives, some are more intuitive and some and some not so much.

I recently picked up Luminar and never looked back. Of the programs I have tested, it was by far the most intuitive, but I also like (and own) On1 Photo Raw which offers a bit higher learning curve. Both of them can do everything Lightroom does, and both offer additional features not available in Lightroom. For a one time cost of $50-60, you will get something that will take care of most of your photo editing needs. It is true that Affinity can replace Photoshop (and its exotic features) at for a mere $50 but Affinity also comes at a much high learning curve than both Luminar and On1 photo raw. Ultimately it comes down to your priorities. If you need the extra marketing and design features look no further than Affinity photo.

However, if you merely need photo editing from developing raw to adding creating touches using filers or effects look no further than either Luminar and On1 Photo Raw (I have no affiliation with either company and make no money making these recommendations) may be all that you need. No free program comes even close to these two. Both have an intuitive interface (Luminar even more so). I believe both are on sale at the moment, but you will need to check the websites to make sure.

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

And every other so-called perpetual licensed software either charges an upgrade cost for a small discount off the price of new, or they just withdraw support for older versions.

What the OP is looking for is for someone to let him use their car, forever, for a one-time cost. And the owner needs to take care of the car, for as long as he keeps the car.

$10/mo is pennies in the big picture. He obviously has spent some $$ - he has an underwater capable camera, a computer to do post processing on, electricity/gas/oil to run stuff and stay warm, etc. And some of these are ongoing monthly expenses. SMH . . .

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Don't feel bad about not using Search. I never use it. As you implied, it's virtually worthless.

As for processing software, you have lots of choices. I use Lightroom and Photoshop because I bought them years ago, and I own them, although some people object to that term.

If I had it to do over again, I doubt I would have bought these programs. They are mainstream, and they put you in the "in group," but are they necessary? Most of what I do involves cropping and adjusting exposure and color. Any processor can do that.

Lots of good choices -
Affinity
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/software-review-affinity-photo-1-5-2
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/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/affinity-photo-1.5,review-4257.html

Others
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-lightroom-alternatives
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.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/
https://photographypro.com/photo-editing/

For free -
https://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-edit-rawtherapee/
https://www.lightstalking.com/free-photography-software/
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-photo-editor
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Affinity Photo is about $50 ONE TIME. All upgrades are free.

PFUI on those who give bad information here. ;-)

Chief_Warrant

Agree on Affinity...inexpensive and there are plenty of instructional vids. I bought it about nine months ago...love it!

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

Affinity Photo

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Just curious if you have tried Nikon View NX2? it might do what you want for free.

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

A couple of freebies to try. Topaz Studio if you system meets the requirements. Comes with 10 free adjustments and you can buy individual ones if you want. Nikon's free ViewNX-i which can show focus points with your Nikon shots and also handles PP.

AndyGarcia

I use AlienSkin Exposure 4 as my main PP app - great film simulations and easy to use. The other apps I have are Iridient Developer (for some Fuji images), Luminar 3 (it has stability issues right now but will get sorted) and ON1. I retired from Lightroom when the subscription was introduced. There are, as others have said, many other inexpensive or free apps available. I would suggest you download free trials where they are available and do lots of research on line. Lightroom is a much-loved app by many as you will see from this site. Good luck.

bikertut Loc: Kingsville, MO

After years of working with various computer systems and software systems installing, supporting, and Training users, it is my opinion that software is a very personal tool.

We don’t all think alike and we all have our preferences. The “best” software in the world is useless if I can’t learn to use it. My entire working life was spent working with first DOS and then Windows systems. I was adept at using Windows but still disliked it. Upon retirement I bought a Mac and after a short learning curve I loved it. Apparently it thinks the way I think.

So, if you started with and have been using PS for years, it is the natural ‘only’ software to use. But if you like software that is more intuitive for your use, there are other choices.

After following this forum for some time now, it is obvious that I am a picture taker not a Photographer. In fact, photography is my winter hobby along with bowling. The rest of the year it is softball, shooting, motorcycling, and bicycling. I have several places to spend my $10 per month. I don’t buy new cameras so I don’t need updated software.

I bought Luminar ($70) and Affinity ($50) over a year ago. For my needs these are great.

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

ON 1 sale price $78.00 may be over? If you do a lot of masking,HDR, and panos this one does it better than all the others not to mention all the videos and training by all their coaches. Does require open GL Most good graphic cards now have this. Take a look at their web site to see all the features. www.on1.com.

Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

Affinity is absolutely the best, in my opinion. I have Photoshop CC for the moment, but I am ditching it. Affinity Photo has a workbook that is fantastic. Right now you can get Affinity Photo for $39.95 USD. It's better than Photoshop. Forget Photoshop Elements. Why get a cheap knockoff?
I've learned more in a month than I did in a year with Photoshop. Good luck with your endeavors.

Kozan