dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Indeed fantom, most people do not need to endure the learning curve and will never use all those tools. However for most why burden oneself with the rental expense for a backhoe when a small shovel will do all the common tasks.

Perhaps Adobe does at this time or in the recent past... certainly the name rings quality and technical excellence as does the revered name, Kodak. Times are changing yet evaluators and writers are fearful of saying other than Adobe is Best.. But could be that even you could learn another way... and remove the red Make Adobe Great Again hat:
https://enviragallery.com/5-free-alternatives-to-lightroom/
https://www.culturedkiwi.com/best-lightroom-alternative/

"Mark Condon is a professional photographer with 10+ years of experience in taking and editing photos. If he didn't already use Lightroom, he'd use Luminar Neo to edit photos and Mylio to manage them." Sounds like he does not want the stress of learning a new tool. Being a professional, he must say "I use the best Adobe" and the monthly expense is trivial and a tax deduction.

"Adobe lost a lot of its users when it removed the option to buy Lightroom outright – now’s your chance to grab an alternative image editing software that’s right for you. When I tested the most recent versions of each software, I was surprised at just how far the features have come in 2023. The good news is the best options are actually more affordable than Lightroom." Perhaps the reason Adobe went to rental is because they were loosing base on outright purchase of Adobe. A lot of software that was very expensive closed shop when good alternative came forth. Many are going to the rental basis, many only a one year contract then one must "upgrade."
https://shotkit.com/best-alternative-to-lightroom/

fantom Loc: Colorado

You are stating your own, and quoting the opinions of others, that appear to be very closed minded, ill informed or are addressing their own specific crusade of agenda.

Your comment below says it all:
"However for most why burden oneself with the rental expense for a backhoe when a small shovel will do all the common tasks."
For your information a small shovel will not efficiently and quickly do the job that many of us require.

Can the programs that you seem to be enamored with compete with the sky, subject, background replacement options that LR offers? Can they add and subtract adjustments? How about with the luninance or color range options? Can they do immense batch processing, or cataloging or sophisticated masking etc. If yes, are they as fast and sophisticated as LR and produce repeatable quality results?

You seem to question Adobe's motivation with PS and LR and object to a ridiculously low price for what you get. Do the math---assuming that your small shovel hand crank calculator is large enough.

The Adobe monthly price is 10 bucks, times 26,000,000 million subscribers times 12 months a year. That's over three BILLION dollars a year just for the LR/PS package. That is why they can afford to continue improving the product and offering cutting edge technology. How do your favorites compare?

I will whole heartedly agree that there are stand alone, or plug in packages from other vendors, such as Topaz, that do a better job in certain situations. That's great, I use them and can afford them becuz I save so much on the basic workhorse LR PS package that does the vast majority of my work. My time is valuable.

Lastly, LR is easy to learn if someone is willing to spend a short amount of time and a minimal amount of brain power. PS requires more but it has a different objective so someone will pick and choose and learn what they need and don't wear out many brain cells in the process.

If someone is intimidated by learning something new and stretching their comfort zone that is fine and I can understand that. I spend a lot of time in the wilderness in the mountains and always want to know what is over the next ridge, or around the bend in the stream or if there are any fish in that remote lake so I love the challenge of finding something new.

So if that is contrary to someone's personal attitude, so be it. It's no big deal, but why try to demean it if you are uncomfortable with challenges, or don't want to learn something new or want the simple easy way all the time.? There is a whole big world out there, embrace it and learn from it.

Don-W

Go to preferences - performance and uncheck Use Graphics Processor as a temporary fix.

DanCSF Loc: SA Bay Area CA

Wonderful points there. But I often get worn out but people who whine about: either the cost or the complexity of PS. We all should remember PS is a powerful program and is not meant for those who want simplify or quickness or want cheap. There are plenty of alternatives that are better suited for the them.

Just use the tool that is best for you...

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

He's been trolling around for years - an old dyed-in-the wool Luddite. Just ignore. Misinformed posts like his are the reason I no longer participate here. I just dropped by to see if anything had changed over the past few years. Clearly it has not. Oh well.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

what are the version numbers of yours and your friends softwares?

kcj Loc: Seneca SC

Photoshop 24.3 on mine not sure of hers

JD750 Loc: SoCal

24.3 is the latest version.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

it’s great you found a solution to your frustrations with PS. It’s good to have choices is it not?

I agree that PS does have a rather steep learning curve. However in spite of that, some people do like to use PS. Maybe one of those people will provide a resolution to OPs concern about his software being up to date.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Keeping one's software up to date is not a PS specific problem. It is a universal activity that must be adhered to in order to remain current.

However, Adobe sends notices when your software is out of date and links to bring it up to date. In LR, for example, you merely click on LR help and you'll get a comprehensive page that should help with the problem. They don't feel very obligated to instruct in basic internet management.

I believe that there are several posts throughout this threadthat have offered solutions to the probable causes of the OP's concern.

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

Sometimes you have uncommon tasks. And I can vouch from experience that a backhoe can do a lot more than a shovel through the miracle of hydraulics.

Technology does wonderful things.