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Want to select and learn a new photo editor
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Sep 14, 2020 14:30:28   #
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 have used the services of a local custom editing facility. That facility is moving out of town and we will no longer be able to sit down with them to direct custom editing.

We have decided to bite the bullet and undertake editing ourselves. We both use Apple computers.

We are soliciting your input in the selection of software that will allow us to do a more sophisticated job of editing than is possible with Apple Photos. At the same time we do not need the power and complexity of Photoshop. Please help.

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Sep 14, 2020 14:40:01   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
Do you want to edit raw files or just the JPEGs from the camera?

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Sep 14, 2020 14:40:05   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Photoshop Elements. They have a free trial:
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Check the system requirements if your computer is older.

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Sep 14, 2020 15:06:59   #
JBA
 
So far we have only shot jpegs. However, raw is a possibility.

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Sep 14, 2020 15:12:26   #
Steved3604
 
I have to second Linda above on Photoshop Elements. I just got the PSE 2020 that was on sale with the video software Premiere Elements. I have regular Photoshop and use most of the features. Well, I was surprised that the PSE 2020 had just about all the features that I use "all the time". They have put a bunch of great stuff on PSE and I think it can do 80-90 percent of what I use Photoshop for. This was a big improvement over my 7-10 year old PSE that I never used because it couldn't do the actions I needed to do. It does contrast, brightness, color correction, levels, spot remover, etc. IIRC they have a Windows and Mac version. PSE can open raw files according to their specs -- haven't done it. There are many other programs that will work to do advanced or simple editing of photos. The nice thing about Adobe is that there are many training and instructional programs (videos) that will help you through the learning curve. Adjusting and editing your photos is another "fun" part of photography. Enjoy.

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Sep 14, 2020 15:15:18   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. For Ps the price per month, it's worth it even if you don't use a lot of the features. Elements one purchases outright, I believe.
--Bob
JBA wrote:
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 have used the services of a local custom editing facility. That facility is moving out of town and we will no longer be able to sit down with them to direct custom editing.

We have decided to bite the bullet and undertake editing ourselves. We both use Apple computers.

We are soliciting your input in the selection of software that will allow us to do a more sophisticated job of editing than is possible with Apple Photos. At the same time we do not need the power and complexity of Photoshop. Please help.
For some years now my wife and I (both in our 80s)... (show quote)

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Sep 14, 2020 15:49:33   #
maciej
 
Consider Affinity and Luminar as well. I have the full Photoshop and rarely if ever use it. Photoshop elements can be useful for some things.

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Sep 14, 2020 15:54:26   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
What software did the local custom editing facility use?

If you are used to sitting with them and directing then you have knowledge and familiarity with their software. And you know it is capable of delivering the results you need.

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Sep 14, 2020 15:57:00   #
Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon
 
FWIW, I concur about Affinity and Luminar. Particular for your desires I think Luminar. Very powerful, and, importantly, easy to use.

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Sep 14, 2020 18:26:23   #
Jim Bianco
 
Photoscape X, is a good program to start with it is easy to learn plenty of videos on it and the best thing it is FREE. Hope this helps good luck Jim Bianco

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Sep 15, 2020 07:00:29   #
FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Photoshop Elements. They have a free trial:
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Check the system requirements if your computer is older.

I use only Classic Lr CC but also have Ps as part of my monthly subscription ($10.61) but I don't use it. But Elements is just a scaled down version of Ps and I think that I could not edit my raw images in the same manner as I do in Lr. Is Elements a blend of both Lr and Ps but just a scaled down version ??

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Sep 15, 2020 07:03:38   #
picsman Loc: Scotland
 
Try affinity but also look at DXO photo lab and their NIK Software. Capture one is also very good but a bit more expensive. They all do trials. I own all 3 for different reasons.

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Sep 15, 2020 08:04:41   #
jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA
 
I've been using Luminar for a couple of years now and find that it will do anything and everything you can possibly think of. It's easy to use, and Jim Nix has some awesome videos on YouTube that walk you through Luminar from A-Z. IMHO, I think it's better than Photoshop as it's more intuitive, comes with numerous presets, you can purchase other user's presets, and you can make your own presets as you learn to use the program and figure out how you edit most of your photographs. Great program....

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Sep 15, 2020 08:15:56   #
Bison Bud
 
JBA wrote:
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 have used the services of a local custom editing facility. That facility is moving out of town and we will no longer be able to sit down with them to direct custom editing.

We have decided to bite the bullet and undertake editing ourselves. We both use Apple computers.

We are soliciting your input in the selection of software that will allow us to do a more sophisticated job of editing than is possible with Apple Photos. At the same time we do not need the power and complexity of Photoshop. Please help.
For some years now my wife and I (both in our 80s)... (show quote)


"Custom Editing" by a professional third party for entering photos in various contests and winning seems a bit bogus to me! Virtually all of the amateur level photo contests that I have entered would frown severely on this sort of thing and probably disqualify you if they found out about it. Anyway, learning to do your own editing is the answer and the right way to go. Most folks here will steer you toward Photoshop and Lightroom which now are only available with a monthly fee. If that doesn't appeal to you there are many other options available, some of which are free downloads and still very capable. I have used "RawTherapee" with good success, but recently started working with "Darktable" and "Gimp" and the more I use "Darktable" the more I like it. In any case, the choice is yours and any software decision is going to take a commitment in time and effort to become proficient and to get results your looking for, especially if your used to getting a professional to do your editing for you. Good luck and good shooting to all.

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Sep 15, 2020 08:17:36   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
jcwall396 wrote:
I've been using Luminar for a couple of years now and find that it will do anything and everything you can possibly think of.

I can think of one thing it can't do that is important to me. I want my raw workflow to be 100% non-destructive and non-linearly re-editable. Luminar is a destructive editor that won't allow me to re-edit or tweak the processing done to an image without trashing work I've already finished and don't want to do over.

jcwall396 wrote:
It's easy to use, and Jim Nix has some awesome videos on YouTube that walk you through Luminar from A-Z. IMHO, I think it's better than Photoshop as it's more intuitive, comes with numerous presets, you can purchase other user's presets, and you can make your own presets as you learn to use the program and figure out how you edit most of your photographs. Great program....

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