An advice on a simple photo editor for a not-very-experienced photographer (Page 2): Try Ashampoo Photo Commander or Photo Optimiser https://www.ashampoo.com/en-us They both cost next...

philmurfin Loc: Bakewell, Derbyshire UK

Try Ashampoo Photo Commander or Photo Optimiser https://www.ashampoo.com/en-us

They both cost next to nothing and do a really good job.
I have used them for years for my basic editing and I have never been let down.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

If you opt for AFFINITY 2 (also available on a free trial) I can recommend Robin Whalleys (LENSCRAFT) guides on You Tube. He also does guides in e-reader forms and paperback.

Most other editors have some coverage on You Tube, but Photoshop / Lightroom and AFFINITY seem to have the best coverage.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Chris63 wrote:

For years I have been using the simple editor my PCs came with.
Now it may be time to graduate to something more powerful.

With the multipicity of various softwares, what would be a good place to start?

I am looking for general sharpening, perhaps changing from color to sepia, B&W, etc.; changing the perspective in architecture, replacing skies, darkening, brightening, removing undesirable objects, changing contrast, etc.

Thanks

If you’re a Canon shooter, their DPP program does 90% of what you’ve listed here, it’s fairly simple to use, & it’s free.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I don't know what your shooting with but Nikon offers a free editing program. It does the basic things you might want to do such as cropping, brightness, color hues and masking. You can't do things like sky replacement etc. buy it's free. I think Canon does too.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Chris63 wrote:

For years I have been using the simple editor my PCs came with.
Now it may be time to graduate to something more powerful.

With the multipicity of various softwares, what would be a good place to start?

I am looking for general sharpening, perhaps changing from color to sepia, B&W, etc.; changing the perspective in architecture, replacing skies, darkening, brightening, removing undesirable objects, changing contrast, etc.

Thanks

There is more to life than Adobe! Google "PhotoFiltre Studio" for a 30 day free trial of an excellent easy-to-use and inexpensive editor that has everything you will need (raw editing, layers etc) as you progress.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Chris63 wrote:

For years I have been using the simple editor my PCs came with.
Now it may be time to graduate to something more powerful.

With the multipicity of various softwares, what would be a good place to start?

I am looking for general sharpening, perhaps changing from color to sepia, B&W, etc.; changing the perspective in architecture, replacing skies, darkening, brightening, removing undesirable objects, changing contrast, etc.

Thanks

Each camera manufacturer (OEM) provides a free editor. OEM editors are optimized to convert RAW files and process RAW and JPEG files created by that OEM's cameras.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

jackpinoh wrote:

Each camera manufacturer (OEM) provides a free editor. OEM editors are optimized to convert RAW files and process RAW and JPEG files created by that OEM's cameras.

Would be grateful if you could advise which one for Leica

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bill_de wrote:

...One big advantage of Elements is that if/when you want to do more, moving up to the PhotoShop subscription should be a smooth transition.

---

Yes, absolutely. Many tutorials for specific PS tools or results can be achieved (more or less

) in Elements, so Elements seems like a great intro to a more complex world if one desires.

If I had a larger computer I'd seriously be considering PS right now, for the Generative Fill

chachie27

Chris63 wrote:

For years I have been using the simple editor my PCs came with.
Now it may be time to graduate to something more powerful.

With the multipicity of various softwares, what would be a good place to start?

I am looking for general sharpening, perhaps changing from color to sepia, B&W, etc.; changing the perspective in architecture, replacing skies, darkening, brightening, removing undesirable objects, changing contrast, etc.

Thanks

I use PhotoScape easy to use...

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I will cut to the chase. Lightroom and Photoshop.
Lightroom is great for cataloguing and will read RAW files. It integrates seamlessly with Photoshop, which is part of the Adobe package at approx $10 per month after the free trial.

It’s what I use and I am very happy with it. There are loads of training videos online so you will always have support.

That’s what I would do if I were in your shoes and you plan on growing your library and working on photos.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Robertl594 wrote:

I will cut to the chase. Lightroom and Photoshop.
Lightroom is great for cataloguing and will read RAW files. It integrates seamlessly with Photoshop, which is part of the Adobe package at approx $10 per month after the free trial.

It’s what I use and I am very happy with it. There are loads of training videos online so you will always have support.

That’s what I would do if I were in your shoes and you plan on growing your library and working on photos.

For a novice recruit? I can’t think of a better way to frustrate and turn her/him against post processing.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

47greyfox wrote:

For a novice recruit? I can’t think of a better way to frustrate and turn her/him against post processing.

I started with Lightroom and found it easy to learn.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I started with Lightroom and found it easy to learn.

I’ve visited your website, Jim. Beautiful images, but I respectfully think you’re the exception when it comes to quickly learning PS and LR.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

47greyfox wrote:

I’ve visited your website, Jim. Beautiful images, but I respectfully think you’re the exception when it comes to quickly learning PS and LR.

I didn’t say I quickly learned PS and LR, I said I fairly quickly learned LR. Luckily with the advances in masking in LR there is very little I need to do in PS.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I second the motion by Linda from Maine for Photoshop Elements with its Quick, Guided, and Advanced levels in the Editor. For example, you can do a Quick or Guided edit and then switch to Advanced to see all of the changes that were made. This really helps when you want to do advanced work. Its Organizer is a powerful data base that’s easier to learn than the one in Lightroom.