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

Or you can subscribe - which seems to be cheaper. I saved about $50 by switching from annual paid to annual subscription.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Don’t fear Lightroom Classic. Yes, it’s $10/mo. but their phone support can hold your hand and walk you through any thing you need to move forward. It’s sophisticated, but easy to get each image adjusted just the way you want. $10/mo.: that’s like…2 fancy coffees at Starbucks.

Canisdirus

I think all of the $$ PPP's are very good...competition keeps them all very close.
All of them are setup slightly different...but the learning curves cannot be that different.
There are TONS of tutorials for all of them.

The freebie programs...just ignore them.
They are way behind the coin programs...which is fine and understandable.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

That's an artificial limitation which will not necessarily get you where you need to be.

First of all, you never own a program. You own a license to use it. The license is revokable by the manufacturer if you don't abide by the EULA, whether you read it or not.

Second, cameras, computers, and software are not static. They change with time. A one-time payment will work fine until one of those things changes.

When I first started with LR, the price was a couple hundred dollars. Upgrades cost an additional payment. Photoshop was like $500. Now, at $9.99/month (plus sales tax) it's a bargain.

I didn't start using LR/PS until I determined that the free and low-cost alternatives did not fill my requirements.

bamfordr Loc: Campbell CA

👍.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Learn to use Photoshop it’s the best and has a very logical and practical learning curve that’s fun and enormously successful at making magnificent images. Don’t be a jerk get the best

tunesmithnw Loc: Eastern WA

I don't know you obviously, but I think many people are intimidated by Lightroom unnecessarily. Once you have watched a few videos and followed a few tutorials, it really, in my opinion, isn't that hard to learn and use. Now, with the new masking tools it's even easier. You will find that just like Photoshop, there are a number of features in Lightroom Classic that seldom get used. I would recommend checking out the videos by Anthony Morganti. Even his older ones will give you a good foundation and his newer ones are very good for learning the new features.
Good luck whatever you choose.

rfahrens

About six years ago I could have written the same inquiry as you have. I tried a number of PPP programs finding they all had a steep learning curve. So I decided to concentrate on the industry standard, Lightroom Classic (LRC). I have not been disappointed with that decision. I use the subscription option that includes PS and some other programs. I have somewhat mastered LRC but still struggle with photoshop, but use it for some things that LRC doesn't do so well. What ever you decide, I believe you must make the commitment to use LRC or any other program at least once a week or so to become proficient. Otherwise you tend to slowly lose your skills.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Well this should really confuse him. That will show him for asking for advice here!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Lightroom is a different way of thinking about your files. I fear some old dogs don't want new tricks, even with a bowl-full of treats. If you've spent 20-, maybe 30-years learning (engraining) 'save / save as' best practices, always making back-up copies of back-up copies, and you've expended multiple man-years of careful folder organization, it's tough to let all that go when using a software that doesn't even have a 'save' command.

The change can be immediate or gradual, the time it takes to change attitudes such as 'this is what I do and I'm not changing'. Lightroom doesn't force you to change anything, but hopefully, one will begin to see they can do the work both outside and inside LR or do the work only once inside LR -- the organizational work that has to be done either way. Some people see the light earlier than others, and see 'doing the work' inside LR as doing it once and doing it in a flexible way that allows for accomplishing more with less effort. The ideas of virtual copies and LR collections allow for multiple versions of a single image in multiple virtual locations, improving both your organization and search-n-find abilities.

The replication tools when editing allow for updates to 1 to n images all with a few keystrokes. You don't custom-edit 10 similar images. No, you edit one and replicate those changes across the other 9. Compare them all side by side, pick the best, delete the rest. Ideally, most of your edits are encoded into presets so your images all have standard processing applied, so your work has a consistent high-quality via consist processing, not inconsistent good days and bad days when you remember all the steps rather than only some.

Applying keywords also is a mass-update process, best done ahead of time. Pick all 10 of the group above. The time it takes to enter keywords to 1 is the same time / effort to apply all 10 as you have them all selected and they all get the same updates. The fact you eventually delete 9 of the 10 later, that doesn't waste any time and it doesn't matter which of the 10 you keep as they all were updated with the same keywords together.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

DirtFarmer said: That's an artificial limitation which will not necessarily get you where you need to be.
My reply in brackets [ ].

My reply: nikon123 said he is freaked by learning curves and [so you DirtFarmer are suggesting PS and or Lightroom both difficult edit program that may do everything but requires going thru a maze; in contrast, a simple approach with plugin will get nikon123 where he wants and needs to be for decades.]

My reply: [Nothing artificial, and of course we must define where we want to be. Photoshop is to most an "Ego-Tool" similar to a mechanic having "Snap-On" brand vs "Craftsman" or Chinese fully functional knockoffs. PSPro is a modern program with some limitations, however, by adding Plugin features {eg: Topaz} it is as or more so versatile than PS. PSPro Ultra comes with powerful AI features built-in. ]

DirtFarmer said: First of all, you never own a program. You own a license to use it. The license is revokable by the manufacturer if you don't abide by the EULA, whether you read it or not.
My reply: [Wow, Dirtfarmer, you are digging down to bedrock for this one!! In reality, my oldest PSPro will still be around in decades to come, if it works in Window-35, perhaps keeping my Windows-10 is a good idea.]

DirtFarmer said: Second, cameras, computers, and software are not static. They change with time. A one-time payment will work fine until one of those things changes.
My reply: [Farmer Grasping at straws in the barn BS! My one-time payment PSPro will have an update to adopt. In reality, I upgrade my PSPro every 2-3 years depending on added features. My legacy-old, Topaz plugin are still downloadable and work fine as do many PS plugins or alternatives.

Photoshop Actions, will not work because both Affinity and PSP use modern programing language. "PS does not use Python script language, but Psp does. <PS>Action cannot be used as a PSP script."]
https://artradarjournal.com/2021/12/04/can-you-use-photoshop-actions-in-paint-shop-pro/

DirtFarmer said: When I first started with LR, the price was a couple hundred dollars. Upgrades cost an additional payment. Photoshop was like $500. Now, at $9.99/month (plus sales tax) it's a bargain.
My reply: [In comparison to paying $500, certainly! Again, buying a suit at an expensive store with a label showing vs an equivalent Chinese suit... well, ya, an Ego issue. With photography, the end result is the game. The reality of what we can perceive is the issue... what is your output, Screen, TV, Print, all outputs generally have a limitation that is the final issue. Beyond that is imaginary and again ego.]

DirtFarmer said: I didn't start using LR/PS until I determined that the free and low-cost alternatives did not fill my requirements.
My reply: [So that we may better understand your torment, what are your requirements? Your requirements may be well beyond what most require if so recommend to self vs the general UHH population.]

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I use Photoshop Elements and I suggest that, if you go that route, get Scott Kelby's book, "Photoshop Elements [put your year number here] For Digital Photographers." Adobe Camera Raw (in PSE) is easy to use and Kelby gives good instruction on it.

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

I have used DxO PhotoLab for a number of years. It has more capabilities than I use. You buy the license for this product; you do not pay a subscription. They occasionally have major updates that require more purchases, minor updates have no charges.

I have been very satisfied. I believe they offer 30-day trial period.

You will have some learning curve, but I don’t think their product is radically different from other products.

DxO is probably best known for their camera and lens testing and ratings. They are a French firm. Program comes in English, so no worries.

I can’t speak to other programs really.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

As a portrait photographer of many years, I use PSE and ON1 for all my PP needs. Both are programs that are inexpensive. (And no "Subscriptions")

I really love both of these programs. ON1 has a great "Tethering Feature" that I use when shooting clients, and they love to see their images on a large screen as soon as I take them. ON1 has a "De noise Feature" that is as good as any on the market.

PSE (2022 version) has everything I need...and lots more.

I downloaded several programs on a free trial basis, and took a long look at each of them before buying ON1. I have used PSE since its beginning, so I was well versed on PP.

As far as the "Learning Curve", just bite the bullet, take your time, learn the tools in each program, and watch a lot of videos on youtube and learning videos for the specific program. I also have "Affinity", but this is a "Full Blown" program and one you might find a little more difficult as a first choice. I can't speak to you experience level, so give the "Free Trials" for each a good look. Make up your mind on a program that fits your needs, then "STUDY THE PROGRAM FOR ONE HOUR EACH DAY"!!!

After all...PP is no different then learning the guitar. It takes time and patients. And Now is a great time to get started.

After all..."IT'S WINTER....AND BY THE SPRING...YOU WILL BE PDG"!!!

Take your time...and don't try to learn more than an hour a day.

There is noting you can't learn...if you really want it!!!

Good Luck,
Boone.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Money doesn't buy love, but it pays for the subscription.