jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The author must have gotten paid by the word - the more words, the more money.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Read Gene51's post several times, and then re-read it; and, if your are serious about progressing, follow his advice. The Lightroom learning curve is steep, seriously frustrating; but once learned will be forever useful.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

This is probably true, but some of us have tried more than one. I used Corel's Paintshop Pro for many years and I still have a copy that I use occasionally. I then started using Raw Therapee as a front-end for PSP and Topaz FXLab for special cases. When Topaz Studio came out I started using it - again for special cases.

About a year ago I started using LR and I have grown to like it. What I like about it is that editing is fast and efficient - and by fast, I mean that I spend less time editing. By efficient I mean that I generate fewer extra files than I did using other editors. I don't think my best photos come out any better with LR than with other tools I've used but I do think more of them come out as acceptable. Perhaps more of them come out in that best category as well - I'm not sure.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That's why you set the WayBack machine for 1988 and latch onto PS version 1.0.

anotherview Loc: California

Good morning. I have not yet read any other responses to your post.

But I can speak from experience and good sense. I use Photoshop Creative Cloud for my post-processing of photographs. Adobe rents PCC for $9.99 per month, last time I looked. This rental includes Lightroom (which I never use -- it doesn't include layers). I believe Adobe also offers a trial period of its photo-editing software.
With PCC you will have the premier photo-editing software on the planet. Many third-parties offer plug-ins for PCC -- for example the Google Nik Collection, a free download.

That said, I suggest you may wish to try Photoshop Elements to get your feet wet. Some say PE can do most of what a photographer needs to process his photographs. I make this suggestion because PCC does present a daunting learning curve. PE can serve as an introduction to PCC.

You may also wish to consider taking a workshop or two teaching the basics of photo-editing using PCC. This experience will give you some skills and confidence when using PCC.

Both, PCC and PE have tutorials, written and video, available on the Internet for learning these programs.

I could say more but leave it at this for now.

Your post, however, likely will generate the usual responses suggesting the numerous other free and low-cost photo-editing software. Some responses may include an attack on Adobe for renting its software instead of selling it outright to users. Please note that Adobe does not sell its software; instead, Adobe sells a license to users of its software.

Good luck to you in moving up to more capable photo-editing software.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Those who never use LR probably don't understand its purpose.

Lightroom was designed in the mid-2000s as a competitor to Apple Aperture, and as a complement to Photoshop for professional photographers.

What throws most folks at first is that LR is a DATABASE. It is designed for:

• Storing original image files and NEVER modifying them. All changes are database references, only applied to COPIES when you export, print, or upload an image.

• Acting as a "cull editor" to review a job, rate images, and decide which to delete, ignore, or process further.

• Applying Adobe Camera Raw effects and "development" adjustments to images (raw, TIFF and JPEG, although functionality is limited with formats other than raw).

• Creating Photo Books printed by remote printers.

• Exporting images to files, to Photoshop, and to other editing programs.

• Printing to any sort of layout you can dream up, including packages.

• Uploading images to online web sites.

• Cataloging your work.

Lightroom is a complement to Photoshop. Pros who use it spend roughly 80% of their time in LR, 20% in PS. Lightroom does global things to images, while PS does pixel-level editing. One does not supplant the other. The things it does, LR does much faster and more elegantly than PS... and vice-versa.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Adobe Premier Elements has two parts - the Premier part for videos and the Elements part for photo editing which includes RAW editing. If you're confused about the two, then upgrading to a more complex package might not be a good idea.

mkaplan519

I personally use Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop CC. I have for years and love all its capabilities. It becomes second nature to import, edit and export while cataloging at the same time.

That said, you can also use the free software that came with your camera. Its workflow is usually subpar when compared to the bigger better programs but alot of people even prefer the end results to those more expensive options especially the colors.
There are also many other alternatives like On1 Photo RAW (which I also own but do not use regularly, yet).
On the other hand, since you use Premiere, you are already an Adobe person so why not just stick with their other apps.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

When Gene speaks, I listen!

No matter what editing program you choose, there will be a learning curve. Effort you put in is directly related to the results you get out of it. The LR/PS CC subscription is worth it. Learn LR first, make sure you understand the cataloging system, and how to use the various tools. Then when you feel comfortable with LR, you can tackle PS. My original reason for learning PS was to be able to use layers. So that is what I got into first. Along that path I also learned how to use several other functions. Just do not expect to be able to do everything quickly. I still have not even tried some of the things that PS can do. Just take it step-by-step.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

"Lightroom doesn't use layers"
WELL!, LR does use layers, it only uses One however. Any and all changes to your photo go on that one layer and are stored in another file. Nitpicky, Yes I know but the way it is.
Also, the current version of Photoshop does a very nice job with videos. You can pull in a video, add a filter to lighten it or change colors, and save it with the changes. Works great for making that unexpected video segment you shot in that dark room with your DSLR viewable.....
Sure, I can do it cheaper but personally I just like to know that whatever comes up can be handled by the LR/PS/Bridge/ACR package and the 10 bucks a month is tax deductible.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Take a look at the free Faststone software. It does everything I need, granted, I'm not a pro.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. I have used them all and this is the best in my opinion.

roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca

I mis-spoke? I actually have both Adobe Premiere and Elements.

roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca

I actually have both and should have said Elements.

rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

Get Lightroom. You won't regret it. You will need a "how to" tutorial. I suggest the one by Laura Shoe. I believe her website is laurashoe.com.