mborn Loc: Massachusetts

The one which works best for you!!! Each of us has their own favorite, me LR/PS

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

I use Zoner for most of my editing. I have the most recent standalone version of Zoner. Now they have gone to subscription so I will probably go to a different editing program in the future.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

A lot of good food for thought for one's first post. Where else can you get this?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use Photoshop Elements. Has an easy learning curve, decent Organizer, edits RAW. Has Quick, Guided, and Expert modes in the Editor. If you use either of the first two you can go to Expert and see how the effects were created using the advanced tools like layers and layer masks. You can then figure out how to modify those effects which really helps with the learning process.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Hi Peter, If it's 'movie editing' you're thinking of:
If you want just a simple, straight-forward editing program, (if you're a Windows user), give "Movie Maker" a try. It's part of Windows 10. If you want to 'move-up' a bit more into a moderate priced program, I suggest "Filmora" by Wondershare. If you're still wanting more, there is Pinnacle. Just three that come to mind, but of course you'll get many other suggestions. I've found Filmora to be a fairly simple but efficient program and it will accept more 'out of the ordinary' extensions than many I've tried.

Baracuda Loc: Kentucky

It is interesting seeing the replies here. I was busy during my active career years ago and had to settle for Elements for processing because it did 80% of what I needed at the time and was rather intuitive. Lightroom was much better at a complete editing and cataloging system, but despite trying several training programs, I never got to third base. Lately, I think Elements had gotten TOO simple in a way and was too automatic if thta makes sense and I did not like the results nearly so well.

Basic fact: Adobe CC is the top start, but requires a lot of training, and plenty of time on the computer to learn and hone your skills. I had planned to do that when I retired three years ago, but retirement is almost as busy as normal career years, so I have not made that much progress.

THEN - Out came Luminar and Aurora. One of my basic desires was a simple HDR, and I personally think that unless you are already very good at Photoshop, Aurora 2018 is fabulous. VERY simple and completely intuitive. I got it for $69 and am totally happy. Luminar 2018 is going to give Adobe a run for it's money in the "advanced amateur" and especially "editing dabbler" market segment in my estimation. It's pretty good on Mac but is still got a few too many glitches on PC version.

Even with the glitches on PC, I am finding a quicker learning curve and better personal results with these two programs and I feel like I have made a quantum leap forward in processing my images.

Apologies to the well-trained dedicated people that are touting PS/LR (and I sincerely believe that these are the top programs in editing) but for the beginner, I think Luminar 2018 and Aurora 2018 are the perfect match for the person just starting to edit images. I deeply love my photography (I use Nikon D850 etc) and have been doing it since 1972, but I don't want to spend all night on my computer. I have other things to enjoy in my golden years.
Best wishes

mikegene1

I have used PE for years (currently still using PE11) and am very happy with it. When I started shooting Raw format, most of my PP is done in the Camera Raw part of PE11. I go to the editor for cropping as I can crop to a specific size or free transform and change the dpi all in one operation. Then I will try "enhance image" to see if I like it better. I am not a professional photographer.

Idaho

user friendly means Elements as a starter with possibly a move to LR at some point in the future.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My vote is for Adobe Lightroom Classic CC at $ 10 per month. Best by far and the most training available. I also highly recommend the training by Laura Shoe. Best of luck.

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Again, really? This topic has been discussed here ad nauseum. People, please search for prior questions and answers before posting the same question over and over again because there has been a lot of really great and detailed discusion about PP software.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

True, as more and more photographers are coming to realize that post processing can take their shots to the next level.

Carusoswi

Only one among all these posts mentioned GIMP. You can now download version 9.x, the development version (I think it is 9.7 at the moment. It comes with darktable which works as a plug-in to open raw files, will handle but rates up to 32 bit floating point.
Most who have spent little time with the application will cite it's "steep learning curve". That curve is not a bit stepper than LR PS. I use both ps/Gimp, and find neither to be all that step. Gimp runs on Windows, MAC, and Linux.
It is very powerful, and there are plenty of tutorials to help you familiarize yourself with the workflow.
Especially, if you are just starting out, you should give it a try.
Caruso

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Can't speak for the NIKON software but I find CANON DPP very good for quick & simple edits, then I'll use ELEMENTS 2010 for anything more detailed. I find learning all software torturous!

Henri Loc: Granbury, Texas

For a quick easy edit of photos, I use Ribbet.com and picmonkey.com, both of which have some parts free. I also use Photoshop Elements.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I fully agree --- Over the years DPP via continued updates has gotten better & better