Bill P

The success of a particular software package is influenced by many factors:

Ease of use
Cost and licensing model
Functionality
Brand reputation
History
Universality (how many operating systems?)
Availability of training and education
Quality of support
Reviews by experts
Suitability for a user's particular purposes

...and so on.

Burk,
As usual, you can get right to the point. Of all your points, I think the last one is the most important. It shows the reason posts asking what's the best software for me, just like questions like what camera (or lens) should I buy, or do I need to upgrade my camera are a fools errand.

The software/camera/lens that's just right for me may be totally unusable for you.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

LR Classic & Topaz 2

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I'm sure I left out a lot... Many more attributes to consider.

Main point is to nudge folks into doing their own analytical research. It's never been easier.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yep! It really does depend on a huge range of factors.

I giggle at the naive posts from people who say, "Brand X Model yyy is the best whatsit money can buy." Okay, what are your criteria? They matter to you. Don't force them on others.

srt101fan

Researching pros and cons of editing software may be easy for someone familiar with basic editing concepts and tools. Not so easy for someone starting from scratch.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Learning what to look for is often challenging. It can take a while to figure out what you want to do and what you need to do it.

However, using the information on the Internet has never been easier or more fruitful.

In any case, diving in and reading/watching can be far more educational and useful than just asking others what software or gear they like.

You CAN learn what you need and like in software by trying demonstration downloads. Most of the software vendors offer 30-day free trial versions of their software. If you like it, buy it. If not, it dies automatically. Go directly to the software vendor's web site to find these. Dealers and app stores usually won't have them.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

Too contentious a question as it really does not have a yes/no answer. While I have heard of "Affinity," I don't use it as I am content with Lightroom and Photoshop. I believe most people use what is comfortable and what works for them. Consequently, "best" is really only what is "best" for each individual.

Scotty

bcplimpton Loc: Southern New Jersey

I use Darktable, Nikon ViewNX-I and/or Nikon Capture NX-D for RAW processing and Gimp for layered work with Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE) for stitching panoramas and sometimes Landscape Studio for enhancing dull skies. Note that the only one that required putting out any cash is Landscape Studio. I am very loathe to keep paying a corporation for functionality that is readily available for free.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Nudge folks into doing their OWN analytical research? Here? Surely you jest.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Absolutely agree. Which is why many of us have used multiple products over the years as our interests and skills have grown before we found the "right" one. I started out with PS Essentials 9. I became a Lightroom user starting with version 4 and used it as a front end to PSE. I upgraded PSE a few times over the years and for a short while used Photoshop as a backend to Lightroom. I also used Canon's Digital Photo Professional. But, I was unsatisfied, and when Adobe went to the subscription plan it encouraged me to shop for alternatives.

I downloaded 30 day free trials of almost every thing available as well as some freeware offerings like Gimp. Since I was looking to make a purchase decision, I took advantage of the free trial periods and spent many many hours learning how to use, and how to get the best from, a number of different post processing software packages. I already had extensive experience with Lightroom, PSE and, to a lesser extent, Photoshop. I downloaded and taught myself how to use Capture One Pro, ON1, Luminar, Affinity, DXO Photolab Elite, and a few others. I spent a bit less time with Luminar because I just didn't care for it.

I shoot raw 100% of the time. My current editor of choice is DXO Photolab Elite, with the FilmPack and Viewpoint plug-ins, and DXO's version of the Nik Collection. I also have a license for ON1 which I occasionally use for those times when I need a feature not in Photolab.

It's been a long journey, and may not be over yet. You will have to see if your software requirements remain the same as your knowledge, skill, and goals change over time. Buying software just based on a recommendation from someone who uses it, is not always the best choice. Experience and trial and error is the real teacher.

wmclark

Affinity for $50 and no upgrade costs. Runs on my old Win 7 laptop just fine. Loads fast and doesn't slow down my computer when booting up. But, to each his own.
BC

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Have used Photoshop Elements since my first PC computer.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

Affinity is my choice. Also use Topaz and PSE.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

No....Capture One + Affinity is the way I went. Plus I don't want to give another cent to a multi million dollar company that doesn't offer customer service to a professional photographer at weekends.

Al P.

I'm still using photoshop CS6, but will probably change; I'm not too keen on the subscription model, so I have pretty much the same question, but I wonder about Affinity vs GIMP; the latter is free and seems to have a lot of features in common with PS.

Comments?