DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What are your goals? Do you really need software? Aren't jpegs out of the camera good enough? Is it your goal to have something easy to learn, which usually means a short list of features and commands with corresponding limitations, or are you looking for something that is easy to use once you've learned enough of it to do what you want to do to your images? What are you using for a camera and a computer?

Why don't you post a sample image or three that you think can be improved upon with some editing, along with the answers to the questions above. This will give us a better idea of what you are expecting as an outcome.

Without any information, one of the better recommendations might be Adobe Photoshop Elements, or if you want software without limitations, and that you can grow with, as well as a complete cataloging system that will help you import, cull, store, edit and manage your digital images - without needing a bank loan - Photoshop and Lightroom CC. It is also pretty much a standard in the industry. You can learn what you need to know fairly quickly - then as your skill level improves, you can continue to improve your editing proficiency with either of these products.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I saw excellent advice yesterday (sorry, can't recall from whom) that you shouldn't think in terms of learning the entire "Photoshop." Apparently, nobody ever knows everything in PS Instead, start out by picking a couple of actions you want to do, and learn that -- via You-Tube, online articles etc.

PS Elements has 3 layouts: quick, guided, expert. I think that helps novices not become overwhelmed, but it's still good advice IMO to choose one or two editing tools and learn those well, then move to whatever is next on your list of things you'd like to know.

OneShotOne18

THX Linda You hit it right on " overwhelmed ". To much to learn that I want know - yesterday. It's kinda like eating an elephant not knowing where to start.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Listen to Linda!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Helpful response?!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

It worked.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I believe the whole concept of something having been beat to death has been beat to death. This is social media after all, the purpose of which is, conversation.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Maybe beat to death but others are relatively new and haven’t heard it.
Everyone is not on the same page and info/technology is always changing.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Adobe Photoshop Express is a good one. Paint Shop Pro is fairly inexpensive and full featured. Fotor is free and has a lot of features. Photo Editor, Photos and Pixel Photo Editor are also free and offer lots of features.
My favorite quick editor is Photoshop Express. My favorite inexpensive full feature photo editor software package is PaintShop Pro.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

As far as I'm concerned, nothing has been beat to death, except maybe, what lens do I take on vacation. But I'm pretty sure that's more about the vacation than the lens.
Sure, lots of things have been discussed lots of times, but as you pointed out, there are always new members who have not participated in every conversation.
If a member doesn't feel like participating in a conversation, don't.
I guess it has a lot to do with the grumpy old men factor that's so prevalent here. I'm recently retired but by UHH standards, I'm a youngster here, even though I have been a member for 4 years now. I just hope I don't turn into one of those grumpy old men.
If people simply want information, Google or Bing are far superior resources than UHH, but UHH offers something the mighty search engines don't, conversation, the reason social media exists. Why is it that so many members don't get the concept that UHH is social media. How many potential new members have been driven away because the grumpy old men got to them?!

Photoguy120

Topaz has some pretty good products. Recently bought several and they do what they say. They are resource hogs. Some actions on large files take 10 minutes. Studio 2 crashed after attempting to use a filter or an effect. Their web site indicates it is the video card and suggests any card before 2016 needs driver update. So I updated the driver and now it won’t even load. Spirited conversations taking place via their “request” link.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Most software lets you easily crop, and adjust exposure, contrast, sharpness, white balance, and tint. It's when you get into the complicated adjustments that you'll need some education. There are many online tutorials.

Programs -
Affinity
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/software-review-affinity-photo-1-5-2
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/affinity-photo-1.5,review-4257.html

Others
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-lightroom-alternatives
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/photo-editing
https://www.reviews.com/photo-editing-software/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-photo-editing-software,review-1972.html
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
https://photographypro.com/photo-editing/

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Good advice from Linda.

You might want to save trying Topaz for a later time. Small steps beginning with something like PS Elements can build a foundation for adding later complications without too many problems.

Marshall

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

Elements is a good starting point. And, utube is full of good tutorials no matter what program you decide to go with.