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Photoshop Alternatives
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Jun 30, 2019 10:51:19   #
shotgunner
 
In order to avoid paying an eternal subscription fee to Adobe, I'm researching alternatives to Photoshop. I'm hearing good things about Corel Paintshop Pro and Affinity Photo, but I have not used either one. If you have experience with either of these programs , or other Photoshop alternatives, I'm eager to hear what you have to say. FYI, my interest in photography is strictly as a hobby.

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Jun 30, 2019 11:02:53   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
Luminar from Skylum
Lots of fun and able to “fix” some of your terrible photos 😀

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Jun 30, 2019 11:04:21   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
Affinity. Just like PS.

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Jun 30, 2019 11:05:02   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
You might want to check out Paint.net.

Dik

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Jun 30, 2019 11:18:50   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
If you've been paying for the real Photoshop, your learning curve will be minimal with Photoshop Elements. Install the free trial and try it. If you buy direct from Adobe sites, it has a money back guarantee for a couple weeks.

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Jun 30, 2019 14:08:33   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
shotgunner wrote:
In order to avoid paying an eternal subscription fee to Adobe, I'm researching alternatives to Photoshop. I'm hearing good things about Corel Paintshop Pro and Affinity Photo, but I have not used either one. If you have experience with either of these programs , or other Photoshop alternatives, I'm eager to hear what you have to say. FYI, my interest in photography is strictly as a hobby.


If you want the most comprehensive photo editing solution - there is only one real choice -

However, you can do quite well with On1, Capture One and DXO PhotoLab/NIk collection. Everything else pales in comparision. But you do sound convinced that paying for software is a terrible idea - so I hope you find happiness. If by stating that you are a hobbyist you are ok with accepting lower quality images, hassles with incompatible software, unsupported cameras, unstable software etc for the sake of saving a few drachmas, then I understand . . .

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Jun 30, 2019 14:34:22   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_73gAANqY

"If by stating that you are a hobbyist you are ok with accepting lower quality images, ... is Gene being overly enthusiastic about his favorite software. It is absurd to think that not using Adobe products will give you lower quality images.


---The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

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Jun 30, 2019 14:55:18   #
Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida
 
I use Affinity Photo and I really don't think I'm missing out on anything at all by not having Adobe. Affinity does most everything you could possible need and it is getting better all the time. It also allows you to use the plugins such as NIK and Topaz. There are excellent video tutorials and a workbook for further learning. I have never regretted choosing Affinity.

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Jun 30, 2019 15:49:22   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
Gene51 wrote:
If you want the most comprehensive photo editing solution - there is only one real choice -

However, you can do quite well with On1, Capture One and DXO PhotoLab/NIk collection. Everything else pales in comparision. But you do sound convinced that paying for software is a terrible idea - so I hope you find happiness. If by stating that you are a hobbyist you are ok with accepting lower quality images, hassles with incompatible software, unsupported cameras, unstable software etc for the sake of saving a few drachmas, then I understand . . .
If you want the most comprehensive photo editing s... (show quote)


Come on Gene....The world moves on and there are a number of post processing options to choose from.
Being an amateur does not mean 'accepting' lower quality images at all. Amateurs have pushed the accepted boundaries in many if not all fields including Photography. After all, those who profess to be professionals are merely 'doing a job of work' at an acceptable (or not) level for the masses. Amateurs can and do work to their own high standards.

Digital Photography has ceased to be 'just' about Professionals earning a living and the rich affording the tools to mimic their printed images in glossy magazines. The Digital Photography market has responded by broadening the software available. That is why Adobe's ridiculously traditional high price has plummeted to a seemingly affordable subscription. However, it is no longer a 'benchmark' for many people. Where companies like Topaz 'fed' from one fountain - they now support others too.

Having many choices drives technology. The dinosaurs are struggling to keep up!

Explore the choices....you may be surprised.

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Jun 30, 2019 18:21:11   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
I use Corel PaintShop Pro 2019 (and been using some version since PaintShop 7) and have been very happy with results, as have family & friends, so imagine my surprise to learn in this thread I am settling for crappy, amateur work because I don't use what the elitists recommends.

You can try a trial version for free, and if you can get your hands on an older copy cheaply or free I was able to upgrade for $29, no future fees.

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Jun 30, 2019 20:28:08   #
martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida
 
ON1 Raw does an excellent job of processing raw files and has the ability to merge photos, pre set applications, works in layers, etc.. like Photoshop. Fairly new software and they do supply upgrades as they go. It also has a library to keep photos. It's a Non Destructive software, meaning you can go back at any time and remove any adjustments applied..... I too want to avoid the monthly payment.

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Jul 1, 2019 02:30:42   #
josecarlmk123
 
Be that as it may, you can do very well with On1, Capture One and DXO PhotoLab/NIk gathering. Everything else pales in comparision. Be that as it may, you do sound persuaded that paying for programming is an awful thought - so I trust you discover satisfaction. On the off chance that by expressing that you are a specialist you approve of tolerating lower quality pictures, bothers with incongruent programming, unsupported cameras, temperamental programming and so forth for sparing a couple of drachmas, at that point I get it.
https://rajesharya.com

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Jul 1, 2019 05:05:54   #
fjrwillie Loc: MA
 
shotgunner wrote:
In order to avoid paying an eternal subscription fee to Adobe, I'm researching alternatives to Photoshop. I'm hearing good things about Corel Paintshop Pro and Affinity Photo, but I have not used either one. If you have experience with either of these programs , or other Photoshop alternatives, I'm eager to hear what you have to say. FYI, my interest in photography is strictly as a hobby.


I have been using PaintShop Pro for about 10 years. I am very pleased with my results and suspect it can do anything that Photoshop can (I have not used so can not comment).

For RAW processing I use RawTherapee, which is FREE and pretty sophisticated. This integrates very nicely with PSP ( http://rawtherapee.com/ )

For additional processing I also use NIK filters. Also integrates nicely with PSP.

For Panoramic processing I use Microsoft ICE (free)

Willie

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Jul 1, 2019 05:51:39   #
johneccles Loc: Leyland UK
 
Do not forget "Zoner Photo Studio" I have been using it for many years, They are European based so don't let our US members put you off trying it out.

https://www.zoner.com/

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Jul 1, 2019 06:30:36   #
oldgrayowl
 
Gene51 wrote:
If you want the most comprehensive photo editing solution - there is only one real choice -

However, you can do quite well with On1, Capture One and DXO PhotoLab/NIk collection. Everything else pales in comparision. But you do sound convinced that paying for software is a terrible idea - so I hope you find happiness. If by stating that you are a hobbyist you are ok with accepting lower quality images, hassles with incompatible software, unsupported cameras, unstable software etc for the sake of saving a few drachmas, then I understand . . .
If you want the most comprehensive photo editing s... (show quote)



It doesn't sound like he is objecting to paying for software at all. He is simply looking for an alternative to paying for a monthly subscription to the software he wants to utilize. You consider that Photoshop is the defacto best on the market. Apparently, so does the OP, but he wants to see if there is anything that compares to the standard.

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