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

I agree the catalog is great. Those who think otherwise seem to be missing the point. However, there are too points to consider. LR is not a photo finishing program, PS is. And the subscription model is just an easier way to pay for it for some. You can always send them a check once a year for $120 to pay for it instead of once a month if it really ticks you off. Or not - your choice. BTW, look at your software license - you'll discover that you own NOTHING, and you pay for the right to use it.

Two things stand out on the Lightroom 6 EULA (end user license agreement

2. Software License. If you obtained the Software from Adobe or one of its authorized licensees and as long as you comply with the terms of this agreement, Adobe grants you a non-exclusive license to use the Software in the manner and for the purposes described in the Documentation, as further set forth below. See Section 14 for specific provisions related to certain components.

3. Intellectual Property Ownership. The Software and any authorized copies that you make are the intellectual property of and are owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated and its suppliers.

So it's pretty clear you own nothing - so it is no different than renting, isn't it?

And this explains the benefits - which are mostly consistency, shorter development cycles, and considerably lower cost.

http://www.sunsouthlease.com/articles/commercialequipmentleasing/softwareleasingoptions.aspx

Those people who get ticked off by the subscription model just don't understand how it works and why it's better. Adobe has over 9,000,000 subscribers to their software, making a ton of money, and I for one am no longer spending a fortune keeping my Adobe titles current - so I LOVE the suscription model. The last full version Photoshop I bought cost me over $900, and I had to update it 18 months later and THAT cost me $150. It was a no-brainer for me to embrace the subscription model for PS and LR when the price settled down to $10/mo.

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

Nothing wrong with the import function nor the catalog - I have almost 200,000 pictures in it, about half of which were on my computer since 2000, and I have yet to experience even so much as a hiccup. It works flawlessly. Among other things, it has saved me hours searching, organizing and creating collections and viewing sets, and I have even set up a photo booth based on the watched auto import function and slide show. It's a great tool for professionals and serious enthusiasts.

Maybe you just haven't invested the time to learn it . . .

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

I do not understand why people are so opposed to the PS/LR model. its 9.95 a month. You get updates on a regular basis and to buy them as a stand alone is well over 900 bucks. and then you would have to pay for the updates every year. I you run into $$ problems you can cancel and the programs will continue to work you just would not have the updates. For my money these two programs are the best in the business for post processing our work.

Some folks smoke at the cost of close to 9 bucks a pack, other drink beer at the cost of around 10 buck a six pack. Heck just filling the gas tank on my truck cost me 30 to 40 bucks a week.

I don't dare talk about the cost of our equipment...

Gee, what is all the complaining about[/quote]



Some are just not content to be content - they always have to be complaining about something . . .

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Most of the comments he's getting are, "I've been using it for years so you should love it".

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

I'm not sure you get what is really being said! What I believe is being said is two things:

1. If you learn to use it and spend the time necessary to understand how to use it, it just works great.

2. If you are a half-way serious photographer, or a strictly casual photographer who takes a lot of photos and want to find specific photos in your collection, it is worth the cost of a couple of Starbucks coffees, a pack or two of cigarettes, or a six pack or two a month, to pay for top notch software for your photos.

Yes, it takes some effort to learn the software, but, it is excellent and there are plenty of free and low cost resources available to teach you the software.

If you don't want to take the time to learn the software, any software, sell your computer, your digital camera, and go back to film and some sort of manual catalogue.

In reference to replies that claim you can cancel your CC subscription after a year and still have all the features of the Lightroom and PhotoShop, sorry, but you are wrong. When you stop your subscription, you lose Photoshop, and you also lose all the modules of Lightroom EXCEPT the Library.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Did you actually read his question? He asked for an alternative for Lightroom. He said he loved Lightroom, but his complaint was with the subscription method. Not that it was too complex or not any good. He asked for an alternative to Lightroom. Not for people to try to convince him to stay with LR because it is wonderful. He asked for an alternative to Lightroom.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Yes I did, and after replying several times I fell into the trap of replying to some of the more recent comments, not the OP.

I cannot comment on alternatives to Lightroom, other than if he uses a Mac, consider using Photos. It comes with the operating system.

Perhaps I should have stopped there.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I agree When there is a problem with an import it was not LR fault but my error

rayr

Lightzone for windows or mac, or as G Brown stated, I use Linux and Darktable is a fantastic program or take a look at Raw Therapee.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

But you can buy it outright, can't you? That's what I've done.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Lightroom 6 stand alone version. $150.00. You lose some features like the dehaze tool. You get some updates but, I believe its more like new cameras added & software bug fixes.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I can understand your reluctance to get hooked into the monthly fee. In addition to cable, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and TiVo, I could also be paying about $100 more a more a month if I signed up for various TV services. Below are links to other processing programs.

Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
Others
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/03/23/best-photo-editing-software-photoshop-cc-and-7-photoshop-alternatives-tested/1/
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list/

For free -

http://www.download3.co/ic/picasa/index.php?kw=%2Bpicasa
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

Let me guess, you're probably running Windows XP.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

[/quote]
I do not understand why people are so opposed to the PS/LR model. its 9.95 a month. You get updates on a regular basis and to buy them as a stand alone is well over 900 bucks... Some folks smoke at the cost of close to 9 bucks a pack, other drink beer at the cost of around 10 buck a six pack. Heck just filling the gas tank on my truck cost me 30 to 40 bucks a week. ...Gee, what is all the complaining about[/quote]

You are correct ... IF I bought everything alone it would cost several hundred dollars. The fault with your reasoning is that there is an excellent chance that I would not use everything. As for filling your gas tank for $30-40 per week and close to/ $9 for cigarettes; there was a time when those things didn't cost that much. I have a feeling that as time goes by, the cost for renting Adobe will go up ... everything does. That being said, there is no right answer, everyone decides what is best for themselves. I bought LR and have found that there are plenty of other companies that produce similar or better plug-ins (or standalone) units for things that I want and not available to me in LR. I get by quite nicely with LR, Elements, and a few programs from Topaz. BTW keep your eye on ON1.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

If the OP is struggling with the Adobe subscription model he will probably have no idea what you are suggesting.