digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I’m in a photo/camera club that seems to think (as a group) that all images taken, should be FIXED..in other words, if you haven’t post processed the image, it isn’t good enough. I’ve seen folks that grab a sky from here, a foreground from there, layer in some flowers, and delete/or crop much of the original image, to get a so-called acceptable photograph. I’m not that keen on tha CONCEPT, generally speaking, but I don’t have a problem with some “after-shot TWEEKING”. On the other hand , I’m adamantly opposed to buying a program That requires a renewal fee monthly or per annum. Seems like a screw deal to me. I would like to hear from Hoggers on their approaches to getting and using post-processing programs. What’s the good, the bad, and the ugly?? RJM

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

Stay with something simple and free at first. Faststone Imagine Viewer
is my go to for view my files including raw. And can do some pretty good edit work in it. And, FREE.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

This topic comes up weekly on UHH, so you can find lots of reading material

At the bottom of one of PP Forum's stickied topics here is a list of free software for those just starting out or who prefer to spend their time away from the computer.

I personally love the creative opportunities with using layers (PS Elements) and plug-ins like Nik Collection and Topaz Simplify, as well as textures and composite work.

Viva la différence!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I fought the concept of Adobe’s monthly subscription for years, but came to appreciate the value. That said, I am parring down my camera inventory and, when finished, I may keep one advanced premium compact and buy PS Elements for post-processing. I do not use my current subscription to remove backgrounds, add a moon or star that was not there in reality, etc.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

You don't buy the program. You subscribe to Adobe CC photographer's plan for $10/month. That's it!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Another Adobe fan here. Yesterday I bought a $10.99 bag of beef jerky for hubby. That is less than what I pay monthly for Adobe. I'm sure I'll have a few weeks more use of my fee paid after the jerky has disappeared.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are lots of good programs that are free or close to it.

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/

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I use postprocessing programs a lot, and I depend on the Adobe Photographers package which requires a $9.99/month (plus sales tax) license. I feel I get my money's worth from that package so it doesn't bother me.

Having said that I believe that (1) most, but definitely not all images need some postprocessing and (2) postprocessing need not use an expensive program in most cases.

Cameras today are pretty good at getting exposures and colors close enough, but the format is a fixed aspect ratio. Many images would benefit from cropping, either to fit a different aspect ratio for printing or just to modify the composition. That might be all the postprocessing they need. Cropping can be done in all editing programs. You can use the editing program that's available from your camera manufacturer. Check the manufacturer's website. They probably have a free download. There are simple free editing programs like IrfanView (Windows only) or FastStone. If you really need fancy effects which require postprocessing with layers, GIMP is freeware and PS Elements is fairly cheap (and not subscription based).

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Just start with the free Adope Photoshop Express. It will tweek the color and the light, etc. and that's probably all you'll ever need.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Why is it a "screw deal"?! When Lightroom and PhotoShop were standalone the combined initial cost for both was around $700 and if you wanted to upgrade to the latest version of both when they were released every 2 1/2 to 3 years it would cost you another $350 to $400 each time. Now for only $10 per month and no other costs, you get the most.current version of both applications. As opposed to being a "screw deal", it's an absolute bargain. Do the math yourself.

srt101fan

Relative newcomer to post-processing. At this stage mostly interested in getting the most out of my RAW files. Bought Affinity Photo and am vary happy with it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You've bundled several ideas into this one post under an idea if you haven’t post processed the image, it isn’t good enough

I can't speak for everyone, but when I think of post processing, I have zero conception of replacing image elements, not skies, not flowers, not people's faces, etc.

First, I'm shooting in RAW, so by definition: I shooting for the specific purpose of editing the image via post processing. As a RAW shooter, I'm expecting to perform processing that is typical to all digital images (sometimes more, sometimes less): cropping for composition, leveling the horizon, sharpening, adjustment to the white balance, adjustments to the blacks and whites, adjustments to overall contrast, overall saturation and overall exposure.

Once you go beyond my own typical adjustments identified above, the processing work depends on the specific of the image and the vision of the individual photographer. If someone thinks a new sky is needed, good for them. I'd just delete the image if that level of effort was needed to bring one of my images to "successful". That's my own personal approach, which has no bearing on what others desire to do to their images. Although I seek to avoid complex edits best performed in layers, I do adjust the Luminance, Saturation and Hue of individual colors as well as clone away minor distraction in an image, where these improve the content of the image.

Regarding subscription vs purchase approaches to software, you seem to be unaware of how digital editing software companies operate as ongoing business concerns. Only this morning was there another post on a regular UHH topic, to paraphrase: I bought a new camera but my old software cannot edit RAW files from this camera. link > https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-590077-1.html

If you only shoot JPEG and keep the lens profiles up to date within your camera, you likely can purchase a powerful standalone software package and maybe not require any new purchases, ever. A tool that accomplishes the typical edits, identified above, would be all that is needed, as least for the basics of my editing approach. Most any software priced in the $60 to $120 range will address these needs. And again, if you keep to JPEGs, you'd be well prepared for your digital editing needs for the immediate future, and possibly "forever" if you can migrate the software to new machines and OS versions.

But, when you change your camera model, replacing and / or add new models or vendors, and you shoot in RAW, now you're presented with the fact that all of these software vendors are ongoing for-profit businesses. They each offer their own value proposition you're free to evaluate, typical for 30-days free of charge. If you think they should support and update their software for free for new cameras models into the unlimited future, based on your 1-time purchase payment, alas it doesn't work that way. Certainly not for $120. That 1-time payment approach would route you toward JPEG as described above, a perfectly valid and widely followed approach, but with the limitation you probably can't replace the skies and flowers and such.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I always write the same things on this topic.....

Because millions use the Adobe $10/ month plan, there are limitless opportunities to learn. The learning is at least as fun as shooting with a camera.

If a $10 per month fee is objectionable, consider trimming back your cable subscription, make a bottle of wine last two nights or skip a trip to McDonald's.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Try On1 2019. Has all you will ever need and for a one time purchase of about $100.00.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Whether ON1 has all one will ever need is, of course, open to debate. ON1 can currently be purchased new for $80, but if you always want to have the most current version going forward then it's not really a one time purchase. You have to pay for the upgrade each year. The upgrade price may vary between $50 to $80 depending on the sales they run. It is now $63.99. So, for example, if you want ON1 to be up-to-date for the next three years you will need to buy the initial software for $80 and two upgrades for $64 each for a total of approximately $208 at current sale prices. That's a bit cheaper than Lightroom and Photoshop, but LR and PS is better software than ON1, so its a trade off.

By the way, lest you think I'm an Adobe fanboy, I own a license for ON1 2019 as well as one for DXO PhotoLab Elite. I no longer use the LR/PS combo, but the reason had nothing to do with the pricing.