rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I think part of the issue is your operating system. Around 2020 Ps would not run on 32bit systems. I upgraded with a new Mac and currently run Monterey. Fortunately, I kept my older Mac because a couple of programs I rely on don't have 64bit versions. So, I remote into the older Mac and run those. Upgrading is a necessary part of digital photography.
--Bob

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Use the program that came with your computer!

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Well said!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Please note for both Classic and the cloud-based systems, there are updated system requirements:

The minimum Windows 10 supported is v20H2 or later, or Windows 11.
The minimum macOS now supported is macOS 11 (Big Sur) - 10.15 (Catalina) is no longer supported.

Source: The Lightroom Queen - 2022-10-18
https://mailchi.mp/lightroomqueen/adobe_max_october_2022-10?e=18f2f467df

tovie

What date was your iMac manufactured? MacOS Monterey is only applicable to iMacs made after 2017. I have a 2017 iMac, running Big Sur (vers. 11.6.8) and run PS 2023 and LrC vers. 12, no problem. I just recently updated these apps. You should contact Adobe tech. support. Perhaps your problem is shortage of memory or storage.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yep.

FYIU - I had a 2017 MBP and it was working great and as you said, unable to run newer OS. However I finally broke down and bough a 16" MBP M1. I love it. ;)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

illinioms seems to have "left the building". He hasn't replied to a single post. So we are merely conversing with each other right now.

I'm standing down on this thread until illinioms replies. Those who use Adobe, enjoy the the new "toys" from Adobe. :)

National Park

You might want to try Photoshop Elements. Not as complicated as full Photoshop and you only pay for it once: one and done.

bob h Loc: Greenville NC

While I don't use Macs, I find Photoscape X quite easy to use and it's free. It's available to download online. It allows you to do all those edits that you mentioned.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

I used to find Smart Photo Editor was very simple to use back in the days before I was in to LR and PS. It is still out there, very reasonable and you can trial it before buying to see if it might work for you. I keep it around as another tool in the box.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sounds like PSE will do what you want and much more with a far simpler interface and only a one time cost.

JimGray Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico

I worked as a software engineer for many years and I have a perspective on the monthly license fee. (As an aside the software I worked on had nothing to do with graphics or photography.) Software is a different thing than tangible items like tires and cameras. Essentially all software is licensed instead of owned. This is true even if the software vendor sells you a permanent license for a one-time fee. What you pay monthly for Photoshop and Lightroom is more akin to the monthly fee you may pay for cable TV or internet access. A large part of commercial software is licensed with monthly or annual fees. As a software engineer, it was a pain in the neck to deal with users who did not install the latest version of the software. With the monthly fee you are entitled to the lastest version and you should install it. The monthly fee that Adobe charges is reasonable and modest in comparison to the charge for upgrades that occurred every few years before 2007 and that did not include Lightroom. An important thing you get with the monthly fee is support via chat or phone.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Lots of possible suggestions. First you're Mac. If Big Sur is the latest version of macOS it can run you will find shortly that most software will require new OS. However if your computer can run Big Sur you should be able to upgrade to at least Catalina (but if you use any 32 bit apps they will not work ) or even Monterey.

I am assuming if you only have Photoshop 2020, you had a subscription but it lapsed. An easy step would be to renew it at about $10/Month that will bring you up to Photoshop and Lightroom Classic 2023 with a whole lot more features. if you are in CA you can take a free class at your local city college then you can get the entire creative cloud subscription (Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Illustrator, etc) for about $80/yr.

If you don’t do that you can look at Photoshop Elements , Apple Photos (free) which has gotten a lot better of late and does allow you to have plugins to other apps like On1, Topaz, Nik, etc, Affinity Photo which is the best value around at $50 or less but does have a learning curve.

I personally use On1 even though I have Photoshop , Lightroom Classic, Affinity Photo, Luminar 3, Luminar 4 , Luminar AI, Neo, and Topaz Studio 2. It can be purchase outright or as a subscription and it has a complete Data Asset Management like Lightroom Classic or you can use it like Bridge, a very good raw processor, NoNoise, Resize AI ,etc plus 2023 which was released Monday has added a lot of masking using AI which is as good as Lightroom Classic and Photoshop in my tests. Try it. it might fit you best.

JBGLADSTONE Loc: Oregon

I second using ON1 2023. This editor is just WOW with all the new features and capabilities.
1] You do not have to load in your photographs to a file. Yes you can create how you would like to store images.
2] If you are like me and take pictures that are not as sharp as they should be. Well, "2023" can take care of that.
3] I suggest you view ON1 on Youtube and view Scott Davenport or ON1 staff for ON1 2023 featured videos.
And see how simple it is to edit.

4] The beauty of ON1 2023, is simple it is to click a few tabs and have great results.
However, as you learn more, you can begin to make adjustments to create the "photo" you visioned.
5] Try the 14 day free offer.
Oh, remember, you can use a 20% discount from Scott Davenport's website to help lower the investment fee.

you can view Anthony Moranti introducing ON1 2023 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1VFH4D9yBM