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Lightroom replacement.
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Nov 29, 2019 10:03:26   #
JDG3
 
bittermelon wrote:
I have been an amature using Lightroom standalone version several years ago. Then I had a serious illness and had major surgery. For several years I stopped taking photographs. Now I am much better (although several years older) and am considering taking photographs again.

But of course there is no longer a standalone version of Lightroom. I am now looking for photo editing software that does not require a subscription. Prefer something that can edit raw files (mainly Canon but others too), something similar to Lightroom in look and feel if possible, does not have to be free, but not on a subscription basis.

Any suggestions?
I have been an amature using Lightroom standalone ... (show quote)


I am a hobbyist so I do not shoot thousands or even hundreds of photos per month. But several years ago after getting back into the hobby I signed up for the Adobe LR/PS subscription and loved it. I really enjoyed using LR though I thought the cataloging system was overkill for my purposes. However, I embraced and used it. I found that most of my post-processing could be done in LR and used PS very little.

However, now that I am retired from my job, my wife and I have made efforts to cut our monthly outflow of cash to subscriptions and other unnecessary expenses. After investigating various other solutions I settled on Adobe Elements 2020. Elements 2020 incorporates Adobe Camera Raw, a Photo Organizer similar to LR and a light version of PS.

Adobe Elements 2020 uses Adobe Camera Raw (just like LR) and allows almost the same capabilities as the LR/PS package. It also has an Organizer and a version of PS that has many of the same capabilities as the full version. All for a one time purchase of $99.

Adobe Elements 2020 meets all my needs, gets updated for new features AND new cameras when needed and there is no learning curve since most all the features are nearly identical to the full blown LR/PS. So far I have found Elements 2020 meets all my needs and I have only scratched the surface of its capabilities.

LR/PS subscription cost me approximately $120 per year. So even if I have to purchase the next newest version of Elements in a couple of years I will save money. However, from what I read here many people use these older versions for much longer usually depending on when they trade up their cameras and it will no longer read their raw files. But like I mentioned above, I have been running Elements 2020 now for several weeks and have already had 1 update from Adobe.

There is a 30 trial, try it I think you will like it.

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Nov 29, 2019 10:15:25   #
GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl
 
CorelDraw....about $69... easy to use, outstanding community support, try/buy

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Nov 29, 2019 10:18:19   #
wsnyder Loc: Illinois
 
eadler wrote:
Try Luminar 4. It's a one purchase and effective tool. There are plenty of videos on You Tube that demonstrate how it works. ( especially from Jim Nix).


I just go it and love it

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Nov 29, 2019 10:43:03   #
DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
 
bittermelon wrote:
I have been an amature using Lightroom standalone version several years ago. Then I had a serious illness and had major surgery. For several years I stopped taking photographs. Now I am much better (although several years older) and am considering taking photographs again.

But of course there is no longer a standalone version of Lightroom. I am now looking for photo editing software that does not require a subscription. Prefer something that can edit raw files (mainly Canon but others too), something similar to Lightroom in look and feel if possible, does not have to be free, but not on a subscription basis.

Any suggestions?
I have been an amature using Lightroom standalone ... (show quote)


What's wrong with Adobe's subscription plan? Do you have subscriptions to Netflix, YouTube TV, Hulu, etc.?

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Nov 29, 2019 10:49:04   #
Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
 
tcthome wrote:
Affinity Photo , cheap almost a photo shop, steap learning curve, lots of videos on you tube & I believe vimeo. I hear Capture 1 is pretty good, a lot of people say its better than Lightroom but it does look different. I do see some vids for it on you tube but do not know if there are any other training materials available for it.

Glad your feeling better & thinking about photography again, Tom


This is the second or third reference I have seen to Affinity Photo having a steep learning curve. Apparently there are personal differences in learning photo editing, as there are in many things we do. What some find easier others find more difficult and vice versa. I will fully confess that I do not find learning photo editing easy by any of the programs I have tried. However, of LR, PSE, FastStone, RawTherapee, darkroom, PDCU, and Affinity Photo, FWIW I found Affinity to be the easiest with the most gentle learning curve, and to be the most intuitive. But, obviously it's different for different people and that's just me. As indicated earlier, there is lot's of support for learning AP.

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Nov 29, 2019 11:38:27   #
morkie1891
 
Capture One

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Nov 29, 2019 11:54:37   #
Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio
 
I use Luminar 4. Excellent editing, and relatively easy to learn.

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Nov 29, 2019 11:56:48   #
joelbolden
 
My $10 a month buys me access to Creative Cloud, which includes Lightroom, Photoshop, RAW and others; plus constant updates. That's for a bit more than a fancy cup of coffee.

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Nov 29, 2019 11:57:40   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
Gene51 wrote:
All software requires a subscription - that is if you desire to remain current.


It's OK to chose not to remain current. And if you make that choice Adobe's software shuts off and will no longer work. The non-subscription software will keep right on working. That can be a huge difference.

Joe

Gene51 wrote:
At least Adobe and others are a little more transparent in calling it a subscription. In an industry driven by innovation, there is no such thing as a "permanent license" if you really think about it. It's only $10/month. not a lot of $$ for getting access to the best software out there - all things considered. Lightroom is not photo finishing software, in any case. you still need to use a raster editor if you truly want to produce finished images. $120 a year is a great deal for that.
At least Adobe and others are a little more transp... (show quote)

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Nov 29, 2019 12:29:42   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
johngault007 wrote:
DarkTable and RawTherapee do not require a subscription, or any type of payment. So All should read "all paid software".


You are missing the point. In order to remain current and up-to-date - you need to routinely upgrade your software. Therefore, it behaves like a subscription.

The "subscription" model is so misunderstood - and has been pointed out as being a bad thing. I fail to understand how good software gets a bad rep just because a company changed its policy on how to deliver it, accept money for it, and let's not forget how much cheaper they made it in the process. In addition, there is no more aggressively updated/upgraded software in the industry.

The aversion to a subscription model is not a rational one.

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Nov 29, 2019 12:44:20   #
bittermelon
 
Thanks everyone. Lots to think about and research.

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Nov 29, 2019 12:44:27   #
dasgeiss
 
I have been using On1 photo editing for years and it provides everything I need and am quite happy with it. It is stand alone but accepts plug ins like Photoshop, etc. No subscription is necessary. Continuous updates and training available.

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Nov 29, 2019 12:49:53   #
johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle
 
Gene51 wrote:
You are missing the point. In order to remain current and up-to-date - you need to routinely upgrade your software. Therefore, it behaves like a subscription.

The "subscription" model is so misunderstood - and has been pointed out as being a bad thing. I fail to understand how good software gets a bad rep just because a company changed its policy on how to deliver it, accept money for it, and let's not forget how much cheaper they made it in the process. In addition, there is no more aggressively updated/upgraded software in the industry.

The aversion to a subscription model is not a rational one.
You are missing the point. In order to remain curr... (show quote)


Gene,
I didn't miss the point. I am not arguing the benefit of paying for software or the monthly vs. one-time fee. Whatever people do with their money and the results they achieve is perfectly fine.

There are plenty of open-source based projects that remain up-to-date with no costs associated. In fact, the source code is openly available, and if a user does have the ability, can update their copy and never rely a second-party. The original post you provided was centered around defending costs associated with a subscription and/or a one time license purchase, but it was a blanket statement that "all" software is subscription based, and I was just pointing out that open-source doesn't necessarily follow that model.

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Nov 29, 2019 12:53:13   #
Larry Powell Loc: Columbus OH
 
Adobe Photoshop Elements does not require a subscription. It is usually available for $79.It can be downloaded or bought on a CD. If you buy the optical you get both Windows and Mac versions. Photoshop Elements 2020 was just released. It has a very good organizer.

The learning curve is as simple or as difficult as you want or need to make it. For most image manipulation it is very simple.

BONUS BONUS BONUS. With Elements you can also add text to a project. Whether it is an image from vacation or a group picture of your organization you can add names, positions, logo etc. I do not have lightroom so I am not sure but I do not think LR has this feature. I do not see what people rave about LR.

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Nov 29, 2019 13:50:24   #
AnthonyBiss Loc: Toronto, Ontario
 
My choice is LUMINAR, I USE LR 5 AND WELL AS THIS, ALSO COREL 2020.
Go for any one
Dr. Albert

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