broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

You can get PS for free if you know where to look... LR too.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Ditto for me, and upgradeds are no extea. I paid $12.49 this morning for a grab-n-go McDs breakfast for my son and me. I think ican afford the $10.59 a month incl tax spent in a top-grade set of programs that Adobe provides.

Photocraig

Another note is that keeping software up to date is imperative to be sure you get all of the features working together and the latest (next to last, as they say) bug fixes.

While I'm no Adobe fan, I subscribe tot he 9.99 Lightroom, PhotoShop combo because it is excellent. AND, it is the most widely used. That means that there is education, both free and paid, universally available. And that means HERE! too.

The Canon software is good and useful to start with. It will convert RAW and provide the ability to make some adjustments. Get it and get started. RAW capture is really the best way to get files that can be fully processes so you can complete the job of image making.

One of the best skills I've ever learned is to get over (my bad) self. Hope it works for you, too.

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

I've been using ACDSee for over a decade and really like it. I've tried most and they all have strengths but I keep coming back to ACDSee. It's fast and simple to use, great DAM features and gives good raw processing results. It also has an integrated layered pixel editor so you don't need to buy a separate editing program.

PierreD

You can always "buy" DXO PhotoLab, Capture One, or On1 PhotoRaw - but you will pay outright for the initial license, and an annual "upgrade" fee - you will still pay for software on a regular basis if you want to keep it current. You'll find that you will change your computer, operating system, camera(s), add lenses, etc - over time, and you will also find that old software, especially orphaned old software, will not support your newer gear.

This is NOT entirely correct: To use DxO PhotoLab, for example, you purchase a one-time license and there is NO subsequent annual fee, as you seem to suggest, and NO upgrade fee either. Thus, once you purchased the license and if you are happy with the program, it is basically yours to use for as long as you like, at no additional cost. Of course, any software, whatever it is, eventually becomes obsolete and needs replacement to take advantage of new tools. But this is not unique to image-processing software. In fact, most of us trade our computers for new ones after a while because the old models are not up to modern standards. Not any different than our TVs, cars, microwaves, and the rest....

Occam'sRazor

The Can Man,

You say you shoot Canon and use an iMac and are looking for a program to edit RAW images. In addition to what others have stated you can use Canon's Digital Photo Professional 4 (free) and Corel's AfterShot Pro 3 ($80), both have versions that work for the Mac. There's no subscription for Corel's AfterShot Pro 3.

It's your choice whether you want to license software or buy it out right. Purchased software does provide updates and no you do not need to update your software all the time in order for it to work. If software needs constant updates then it was not ready to be released. Do you need the latest and greatest? That depends on what that program provides and what you need. For most people the latest version provides no greater value than the previous version. Again, it's what you require from the software.

Hope that helps.

broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

I have and use Aftershot Pro 3 and can attest to its simplicity and speed. I really like it for fast raw editing.

That's an awesome username, Occam'sRazor.

The Can Man Loc: Big Arm, Montana

I do not need a lesson in software pricing. But if you buy Photoshop let's say at Best Buy for example. I pay for the software. Then they want money each month to keep me up to date. It's called double dipping the consumer. A lot of software manufacturer s do this.

The Can Man Loc: Big Arm, Montana

Thanks for the simple answer. That's all I was looking for.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I think that many of us, especially those who have been victims in one way or another of financial fraud, are really most concerned about having our account information held by anyone else to cover recurring payments. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that a number of those who claim most loudly about their ability to keep such information secure are, in fact, not able to do so. We feel much less secure when multiple payments are involved. I know that for me, the amount is not a problem, but the recurrence is a big one.

I am a subscriber to the Photographer's Package, but I paid for the entire year with a product card purchased with cash at my local Micro Center. Right now, I have no credit card information on file at Adobe. My next cycle is coming up soon. I haven't yet decided exactly what to do about renewal. I'm considering purchasing a prepaid card with limited balance to do it.

So yes, there are very valid reasons not to prefer the subscription model.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I use the Canon Pixma Pro 100. I actually have two. I use Adobe Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC on my iMac and MacBook Pro. I use the Canon Print Studio Pro Application as a plugin to Photoshop to do my printing. I don't shoot JPG under any circumstances and I don't tell others how they should shoot.

Cudgel Loc: Hickory, NC USA

Yes. Canon gives you Digital Professional 4 as a free download. It edits RAW. It even handles CR3 files and you can do Batch Processing and importing to Jpeg. Go to the Canon site for the latest Version.

fjrwillie Loc: MA

I have skimmed thru the posts and surprised that no one has mentioned RawTherapee as a RAW processor. This is what I use which integrates very nicely with Paintshop Pro. This is free software and very powerful. If I didn't have the need to use layers and other tools such as cloning, I probably could eliminate PSP. Link >>> http://rawtherapee.com/

Willie

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

You seem to be confused about subscription software.
1. You pay $9.99 per month for the basic Adobe Cloud which includes Lightroom CC (Lightroom Classic which is what I use 99% of the time) Photoshop, the new Lightroom CC (to me overly simplified and not as good) and some others.. There is NO additional charge.

2. You can (for the $9.99 per month) have it active on 2 or 3 computers at a time. I have it installed on 2 desk tops and 3 laptops but only two are active. If you start a 3rd, Adobe asks which other you want to log out. For me, that's no big deal because Im not at the others.. In addition all are kept up to date as you login. If you were to purchase this package (and Adobe has discontinued ((I believe) outright purchase) it would cost you a thousand dollars or more for what you get and it would only be updated for the first year. My Adobe is ALWAYS kept up to date... and you don't miss the $10 per month. Heck I spend more than that on gas, sodas or any other trivial thing.

Sure, you can go use a freebie or you can purchase some other program but Adobe is the standard that everything else is compared to. and for $10 per month, it a steal. I also use a couple of other programs for portraits and hdr but they plug directly into or Lightroom exports images directly to these.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

That's a good point my friend. We shouldn't tell others how to shoot. All of us here on the Ugly Hedge Hog are here to learn from each other. At least that is what I hope is the case. I love to learn about photography since I am rather new. (I started in high school back in 1976). So I enjoy the threads shared here. We should strive to be good photographers learning more to become better photographers. When I'm a great photographer I will let all know. Until then,
Happy Shooting!