Shel B

Photo shop or light room? I have no experience with either and am only moderately computer literate. I presently use, now don't laugh, Picassa. Which is more user friendly?

twowindsbear

Maybe consider PhotoShop Elements. Less expensive but fewer features. Seems less complicated to learn, too. I have no experience with Light Room though.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Most post-processing apps offer free trial versions - a great way to find out what works works best for you personally.

tommy2slow Loc: Drippings Springs, TX

IMHO.. unless you are a Graphic Designer I say Lightroom is the best choice for photography. It is cheaper than Photoshop and much easier to use (learn). But like rjaywallace said.. do the trial versions first. As Photographers we want to enhance our work, not change it. Lightroom allows you to make the photo “pop” to the eye!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Try Corel Paint Shop Pro, easier, less expensive, does just about everything and easier to learn, IMHO, Bob.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

There are lots of free post processing software. Gimp will do most if not all that PS can. But there will be a learning curve.

try some of the smaller freeware and see what you 'need' to do to your images (some people like to do lots others very little)

remember that you can PP Jpg in several programmes so keeping Paccassa up and running and then using another programme to 'just do that!' is also an option. (Same if you shoot Raw as well) it may take some of the pressure off learning PP knowing that Piccassa is still there.

People seem hooked on LR and PS - as well they might....however there are a LOT of new and updated programmes to choose from now. Try for free....spend money on cameras or lenses!!!

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I have Lightroom and Photoshop...rarely use the latter (just too little time, too little brain for PS) Lightroom is superb as a file managing system and has some powerful editing tools. I developed skill with lightroom by using the free Tony Morganti tutorials on youtube.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Shel B did not say what kind of camera. Since Sony offers Capture 1 in a mild version for "free", it should be considered. MacPhun is bringing out a new product with a new name which will try to compete with LightRoom and can be installed on the computer sans subscription. Many on UHH have recommended Affinity, too.

If cataloging (as distinct from image processing) is desired then the real issue is that Lightroom will soon be subscription-in-cloud only. If image processing is the only real goal then Shel should consider some of the no-charge options even though they may be too complex at first.

If Shel is willing to use on-line then he or she should look at pixlr.com of which there are 2 choices. Both are good, free replacements for Picasa except they are on-line only and require Flash Player. That last item will become a problem in the near future as, finally, the big names are moving away from Flash and it will be dropped even by Adobe. It is not unreasonable to hope that there will be a Flash-less version in time.

Shel also did not specify the computer system. If Mac then there are some Mac only options such as Photos. If as is more likely, Windows, then there are numerically more options. Windows is very good at adding metadata to photos within the operating system and that can make catalogs less necessary with only a bit of learning.

Of course, all of the above gets complicated when we look at raw vs jpg. For example, pixlr doesn't do raw but neither, I think, does Picasa.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Take a look at Topaz Studio.

whwiden

Lightroom for a newcomer. But, you will see a lot of discussion over the monthly fee. If you really have not learned an app yet, consider starting with the free Darktable. It is similar to LR and easier than Gimp.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

PhotoShop Elements

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Elements has three levels of automation, beginning with what amounts to full auto. Next is guided, which takes you by the hand and leads you through all the basic adjustments. Kinda like having a tutor sitting next to you. Then comes expert, but you can go back to auto or guided at any time. Finally, they have a number to special edits that do things like remove fog and haze, add motion blur and adjust facial features (neat is you use a kit lens too close) and refine a selection. Experts can do these things by themselves, but it takes some learning. Elements also includes an organizer and RAW processor. Perhaps not the best around, but good enough to see if you want to go in that direction. Finally, Youtube has many, many tutorials (free) to help with things like color replacement and selection refinement. Full price it is like $80, but frequently on sale (Amazon).

Yankeepapa6 Loc: New York City

If you were to remove LR and PS install Elements would you lose all of your other; edit in software?

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

Took the words right out of my mouth, Morganti has some of the best and easiest to understand instruction videos I have ever used. I also use Yuri Fineart, he's really good at explaining how to dodge and burn.

Good luck and enjoy!

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Don't let anyone make fun of you because you use Picasa. I have been using it for years and it works for me! Good luck!!