WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Much better.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm using the freestanding version of Lightroom, but I see Affinity raising its hand to get some attention. There's also ON1 and many others. If all you're doing is cropping, adjusting exposure, color saturation, and things like that, almost any program will do the job.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

The Gold Standard is Lightroom and Photoshop. Everything else is compared to it as in... xyz program can do everything LR/PS can do except, or ABC program can do almost what LR/PS can do. It’s affordable at $10 per month. Not sure why everyone says the learning curve is steep. I would say there certainly is a lot you can learn but steep no. It can be as gradual or steep as you want it to be. With a few basics you can jump right in and start editing and get amazing results. With the largest 3rd party knowledge base of any photo editing software you can learn any technique as you go along for free via YouTube videos. For example the photo you posted. Want to figure out how to proffesionally retouch that? Just google portrait retouch in lightroom and photoshop and videos galore will pop up. Want to figure out how to replace the stein with a sword? Just google that. So you can pretty much learn as you go along. The phrase steep learning curve implies it is difficult, it is not. That is not to say that the programs are not complex because they certainly are. Yes the learning with lightroom and photoshop is constant but that makes the possibilities endless. Good Luck.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Adobe Elements is a good stand alone program that requires NO monthly or annual subscription. Also Luminar is another excellent stand alone program going for around $69.

stevetassi

There is no best photo editing software and there is no standard.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Peter, I'm in the Photoshop camp. Though I have Lightroom, I rarely use it. 99% of my processing work is done in Photoshop and it's accompanying ACR module.

Additionally, it's probably considered the industry standard.
--Bob

picsman Loc: Scotland

Try DxO free trial.

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

I've given up on all those fancy do everything programs. I now use Windows Photo Gallery and Smart Photo Editor. Easy Peezy.

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Not only am I surprised about the number of people who ask this question again and again, I am equally surprised about the number of people who answer, again and again.

Bill_de Loc: US

I used Photoshop ever since Adobe purchased it up until CS5. They added a lot over the years. I have always dabbled with Photoshop Elements as it used to come with scanners or other items. They have also added a lot to Elements, and as somebody mentioned, for $12 more you can open even more features already hidden in Elements.

My suggestion would be to start with Elements. You may find it does everything you want and more. If at some point in the future you outgrow it, it will be an easy transition to the subscription Photoshop.

The later versions of Elements have a very sophisticated organizer. They also have three editing modes, Quick, Guided, and Expert. There are lots of video tutorials.

You should definitely read up on these programs, and others, before making a decision. Too often people (including me) make recommendations on what we know best, but overlook something else. Beware of any post that says things like, there is only one good choice, or if you don't get XYZ you can't get the best results.

Good luck in your search.

--

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I use Topaz labs and ON1...both are terrific software.

DanielJDLM

I used Photoshop for many years; switched to Elements 14 when it cam out and have never looked back. I augment with ON1 Raw, Topaz Adjust and Nik Software. I recently added Aurora 2018 to the mix for additional HDR processing, even though I have Photomatix and ON1 now offers HDR processing with their latest iteration.

Try as many "trial versions" as you can before making a final decision.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

My suggestion, use the fee sofrware that comes on your computer.
I'm on a Mac so I'd start with Preview, then move to Photos for a few more tools. Cropping and colour adjustments are a great first skill set to get to know how to use.

davefales Loc: Virginia

I second fotoartist's desaturation correction and burkephoto's recommendation about a calibrated monitor.

Consider the NIK Collection which seems to still be free: https://www.google.com/nikcollection/ My normal workflow is Adobe Camera Raw to TK Actions for luminosity masking for toning down bright spots (if applicable) to NIK Viveza2.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"One question, 100 different answers."

I could not agree more. We all know that the "best" software is that one that makes us comfortable when we use it and gives us the results we want.
For NEF (Nikon files) my favorite is Capture NX2 that unfortunately has been discontinued and Nikon will no longer offer support for it. Since it was designed by Nik it uses Color Points technology that I find useful without the need of editing the file and then going to Nik software. Photoshop is standard, I use the old Photoshop CS5. Lightroom I tried but the fact that at the beginning of editing it is calling for a place to store the files never convinced me and I do not use it. Topaz Adjust 5 I use often to enhance my photos but I usually cut down on the effects to make it look more natural to the eye.
I guess Photoshop Elements could be a good start for you.
I do not know what happened to the picture you posted. The colors are off and correction is not going to be very easy.