Post processing apps or programs (Page 4): I use paint.net... lots of features and free. With a plugin, I'll convert to *.pdf and add comments using Adobe Reader or will convert from a...

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

jerryc41 wrote:

There are lots of good programs that are free or close to it.

I use paint.net... lots of features and free. With a plugin, I'll convert to *.pdf and add comments using Adobe Reader or will convert from a *.pdf to a *.png to embed the diagram into a program.

Dik

picpete Loc: Northern Alberta Canada

I find Luminar 3 awesome no problems at all on iMac.
It is the most user friendly software especially when used as a plugin to Photos.
Cheers.

gilpog

I have both PS CC ($11/mo) and Affinity Photo (one time cost: $50) and am about to unsubscribe to PS. Affinity is great!

JDG3

I just went back and reread the original post and some of the comments and it seems there are two main points that all come down to two issues. Both these issues are emotional ideas and beliefs that will not be changed by argument or debate. Neither belief is wrong or right, they are the personal beliefs of the people who hold them.

1. Owning or renting(subscription). Both have their places. As I have gotten older, owning (and maintaining/storing) things no longer interest me. If I need a tool to work on my house, I look around to see if I can rent it. If I need a truck to haul something I rent one. If I need a car to drive on vacation and haul 6 people, I rent it. Others feel it better to purchase these items. Both ideas have their merits and downside. I am a minimalist at heart so in my world, less is better.

2. Adjust or not adjust photos - Again, perspective. Are you recording history as is, or creating art? Or is it something in-between? We want to record what we have seen - beautiful landscapes, birds, flowers, urban life, or wildlife. BUT, maybe it would be a little better if tweaked a little. For most of us, it is a little of both, though there are purists at both ends.

As I approach my older years I now see there are no absolutes, no white and black in any situation. Everything is some sort of shade of gray (no pun intended). In any discussion there are opinions (many or most with valid points) from one extreme to the other. This is definitely one of those.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

digit-up wrote:

I’m in a photo/camera club that seems to think (as... (show quote)

I think I was the first person in the world to jump on Adobe's subscription program. When I looked at my expenses in my Excel spreadsheets for first-time purchase and subsequent upgrade purchases, it was a no brainer.

I went full-on with Adobe, so I didn't have to spend money annually for upgrades to all the software programs that I used to use.

Price for CS5 was $700, or $200 for an upgrade. Photoshop CS5 Extended was $1,000, or $350 for an upgrade. So $200-$350 every year for upgrades.

Pretty easy to see that spending $120 a year on a subscription saved me hundreds of dollars annually (which I then put into my margarita fund).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Our OP might consider changing to a different photography club, where maybe an emphasis on photo editing and a need to select / pay for software would probably be lessened.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Delderby wrote:

At $700 LR + PP was way too expensive for most amateur photogs. I think that is why they introduced the monthly subscription - which, if you stay with it (and after doing the learning curves who wouldn't)? will eventually cost as much as the old purchase option. So yes - do the Math.

I don’t care about “doing the math” I also don’t care to get anything “for free”.. I don’t wish to brag, but the cost of any pp doesn’t concern me. I dare say(being in the top 5% income bracket) money or cost was never an issue. So many here make wild assumptions as to my interests. I am happy to tweek my photos/images, but I prefer that most of the MAGIC that is my picture, comes from the choice of my shooting and the lens & camera I choose, NOT manipulations I can do with my computer and a program. Why not just sit in front of the computer and just manipulate pixels? The more you mess with it, the less the art of it. Just my UNHUMBLE opinion. What little manipulating I do is done with the MAC Iphoto app. But, if there was a great big benefit to some OTHERapp ...I’m buyin, not renting.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

digit-up wrote:

The more you mess with it, the less the art of it.

I think just the opposite. The more I mess with it, the more the art of it. I call my messings "Photographic Art" and, according to Excel, make an average of $10,128.12 monthly in residual income in my retirement years selling that Photographic Art to my target audiences. For me, it's always about the money. The Beatles might have sang "Money can't buy me love" but it sure can make life easier, especially in one's elderly years where expensive health issues can put a damper on things real quick. I also have to be prepared for Twitler and his ilk confiscating my health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid....

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Of coarse, computer programs and post processing pics, could be considered an ART unto itself, to me that’s a different hobby or pursuit, that I’m not all that interested in .That’s my reality and my choice. Minimal manipulation!!

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

bobmcculloch wrote:

Check out Paint Shop Pro from Corel, that's what I use and I feel the same way , BTW we share initials, RJM.

Thank you very much I will check it out. RJM

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

digit-up wrote:

Of coarse, computer programs and post processing pics, could be considered an ART unto itself, to me that’s a different hobby or pursuit, that I’m not all that interested in .That’s my reality and my choice. Minimal manipulation!!

Use the program that came with your camera. It is free and should do all you seem to need to do.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

russelray wrote:

I think just the opposite. The more I mess with it... (show quote)

So....how do you augment that income to survive??

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

rmalarz wrote:

From what you describe, assembling a photograph, your club seems to be more graphic artist than photographer.

Processing is not fixing, it's processing. Now, within limits processing can include techniques to accommodate scene contrast, etc. As for your opinion on fees, I pay them all the time. I need to purchase new chemistry on a regular basis. So, it's much the same.
--Bob

You hit the nail soundly “on- the- head” thanks.!! RJM

ShootingStar

Hi there, I've got some troubles with my photographer, so I've got photos in RAW on hdd. There can I get them edited?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Delderby wrote:

At $700 LR + PP was way too expensive for most amateur photogs. I think that is why they introduced the monthly subscription - which, if you stay with it (and after doing the learning curves who wouldn't)? will eventually cost as much as the old purchase option. So yes - do the Math.

You are correct, after 6 years of using Photoshop and Lightroom (with automatic updates almost weekly all for $10.00 a month) would then cost the same as an non-updated once purchased $700.00 package.