via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I think Luminar would be a wise choice for you given what you've stated. The program is targeted at users who simply want an easy as possible way to process an image. It has many filter choices and does allow you to alter the filters as you desire. Try a free trial. I think PS Elements may be more than you need but you can also, most likely, try a free trial for that software. If you want to move on from Luminar at some later point you can investigate additional options then.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

If your going to learn a new program, learn the most versatile. Subscribe to the Adobe Creative Cloud photography package for $9.95 a month. It includes, among other things, two versions of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. They are and have been the most universally used editing software for many years. Adobe provides free high quality understandable video tutorials for all their programs so you should have be able to start using it quickly.

RLSprouse Loc: Encinitas CA (near Sandy Eggo)

For ten bucks a month, you get access to both Lightroom and Photoshop, and a bunch of other useful things. They are the most fully-featured and widely-used post-processing tools in the industry for good reason. There is a vast community and resource pool for training, assistance and inspiration. I think it is an incredible bargain.

John O.

I recommend Photoshop Elements. You own it for less than $100. It is designed to work equally as well for Apple as well as PCs. It has 3 modes: Guided, Quick and Expert. It does layers only if you want to use them. It easily processes RAW if you want to. It has hundreds of free on-line videos. It has excellent support. My wife is not a techie and uses Elements and has won several local and statewide competitions and she won't spent more than 15 minutes on an award winning image in Elements.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Whatever you do, a trial version should be a first step. Some are easy and fun, others are for the serious.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

jgrosesr

I am new to photo editing, so could someone provide a list of softwares that is associated with each of these types of editors?:

1-Parametric editors.
2-Raster or pixel editors.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

[quote=JBA]For some years now my wife and I (both in our 80s) have been using Apple Photos to manage and edit our photos. When extra fine editing - layers, etc - and printing have been required for entry in various contests (and winning) we ha

PSE is really all you will ever need. Many tutorials on YouTube. Affinity Photo is great for a full blown editing software.

Thanks,
Boone.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Ysarex, thanks for you suggestion. Well, I can afford $10 a month so I am better off sticking to Lr. Especially at my age. I have difficulty with learning new stuff.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Parametric editors:
Lightroom
Capture One
On1
DarkTable
PhotoLab
SilkyPix
(Parametric Converters):
DPP
Capture NX-D

Raster editors:
Photoshop
Photoshop Elements
Affinity Photo
PaintShop Pro

rcbind

I recommend ACDSee Ultimate 2020. It makes using layers a snap as you can designate adjustment areas without using a mask. You simply select areas that you want to edit using a series of tools (ie lasso, or brush) and you select layer and your done. Unlike elements where liquify adjustments are almost useless, in ACDSee it is a breeze. Only area elements prevails is the tool to straighten your photo, but I have elements as a plugin and can switch back and forth. Give it a try, free trail available.

jgrosesr

Thanks for the lists. What does a Parametric Converter do? All of this terminology,so new to me.

jgrosesr

I guess somewhere there is a place to define all this terminology, I sure don't have it yet. Thanks again.

reverand

I'd suggest Adobe Lightroom. I didn't like the idea of subscribing to it, but at $9 a month, it turns out to be a pretty good deal. If you get some other program, you'll find yourself spending money to upgrade it every year or so anyway, so you aren't, in the end, saving money. When you subscribe to Lightroom, you also get Photoshop. Adobe is hoping you will use the Lightroom online version, and store your images in the cloud, but, of course, as soon as you use up your space, you'll be charged more. I think it's advisable to use Classic Lightroom, which is now on your computer, and store your images in an outboard hard drive. Unless you're striving for special effects, Lightroom gives you about 80 % of what you need. However, Photoshop has a few tools (like layers, filters, magic wand, quick selection tool, etc.) that help in removing objects, retouching, and so forth. My advice here is Scott Kelby's book, Photoshop for Lightroom users. Then, do basic work in Lightroom, and move to Photoshop, if necessary, for finishing touches. When you then save something in Photoshop, it's automatically saved in Lightroom.