Everyone can make a mistake. Indeed the act of typing on a computer keyboard can be challenging. Those who are communicating in a language not their native tongue should be both admired and given some leeway. The nuances between American, UK, Australian etc., should be recognized and allowances made. Also, we should make allowances for customary use changes like using photo instead of photograph. Complex grammar rule mistakes are also understandable, after all few of us are professors of linguistics. We should all be tolerant. Spelling is a complex matter but spell checking software can be useful.

However, some things are unforgivable. The incorrect use of what is known as the 'grocer's apostrophe' - i.e. photo's when referring to plural as different to possessive. The incorrect use of your and you're. The incorrect use of to, too and two. Of course, their, there and they’re.

Someone earlier said that the subject was mute to him. I don’t think he meant it a being silent to him, more that it was debatable, in which case moot would have been more appropriate.

Grammar and spelling ARE important. They aid our comprehension.

When I was studying photography at university back in 70/80s, we were told that 'the cheapest thing in photography is film. Take lots of pictures'. True then and true now. The restriction on how much to shoot was down to how much you could afford and how much you could carry. There is no degredation to our photography skills. The more you do, the more you can learn.

By the way, 'professional' means you're paid for your work, not that it's any good!!!

Your reply was not only unhelpful but misleading in the extreme.

I have never read so much garbage.

You can transfer photos from a camera to an iPad a number of ways. Cable, wifi or a card reader that apple supply. You can transfer RAW or JPG files. You can use many post production tools. You can also transfer the photos further either via iTunes, or via cloud services (like Adobe cc, iCloud, Dropbox etc etc.)

It's all remarkably simple.

The first subscription services were razor blades. You bought the handle but then were tied to buying new blades that only fitted that one handle.

Why does everyone want something for nothing? Companies have to make money. They owe that to their shareholders. This is a capitalist society. As someone said earlier, you don't work for free, why should they?

The latest stupid reaction is 'my dog needs eclipse glasses' or 'I'm keeping my dog in'.

Followed by 'this is the first eclipse in 40 years'. Maybe in your town, but there have been many, many in different places.

Writing technical manuals is a difficult task, even in your native language.

I think the references to 'putting a signature on the back' and 'as bad as a time stamp' just mean that that the commentators are not understanding that the world of images and publishing have moved on.

Yes, if someone wants a print of one of my photos and I choose to either give it to them or sell it to them, then I would certainly not put a copyright mark on the front - unless they specifically wanted it. I have provided images for many friends, companies and organizations - more often than not free - and certainly wouldn't add a copyright or signature.

However, if I am publishing an image on my blog, website, a photo display site (500px, Instagram etc) then I will place a mark. If someone the wants to use my image we'll discuss why, what the aim is, and where it will be shown. Then we can come to an arrangement either free or paid, to do so. Then we discuss the attribution or not as applicable.

To do otherwise is just allowing your work to be copied, changed, or displayed with no control. That's fine if you are feeling particularly altruistic and require neither payment nor recognition. How would you feel if you gave your work away for the greater good of mankind, but then found that someone was either passing off your work as their own, or making money out of it without your permission?

It's simple common sense, but that of course is the least 'common' element in the galaxy!

Sorry, what is SOOC?

A photographer is anyone who uses a photographic process to create an image. Nothing more.

Some people produce better images than others. Some create technically good images. Some create works of art that bear varying degrees of difference from that simply captured by the photographic or image capturing processing.

I don't earn my living from photography (which is what the definition of a professional is) but do publish photos in many places. Too often people have used my photos without permission. I have frequently offered to let them have a better (or more appropriate) image if they will either ask my permission first and/or give me a by line.

Putting a name/copyright on a photo doesn't mean they won't use your image without permission but does indicate an element of ownership. It could stop someone from using your image to make money from them, without passing a share on to you.

I'm sorry if a copyright or ownership mark offends some people, but to use someone's property without permission or payment (IF that is even required) is plain theft. ....unless of course you intend to donate your work to the world as a whole.

It appears that Google have retired Picassa. http://picasa.google.com

This thread is taking on the attitudes go Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or rather Program Acquisition Syndrome! As a Mac user the original poster has a great program available already and free. That will get a free upgrade this fall. Then they can decide if they more facilities or not. Let's not keep suggestion more complicated solutions than are needed.

I'd completely agree with cmcaroffino. Start with the relatively simple yet good Photos app that comes with your Mac. Apple will release a free update to your operating system this fall called a High Sierra and the Photos app will be much enhanced. It's a good progression. Once you have mastered that, you may want to move to a more comprehensive program or you may be satisfied. You will learn a great deal by using Photos though. Always better to walk before you start to run!

As someone who was born in England, spent my life traveling (or travelling) and now a resident in the South of the USA, it would be great if we spoke English in the US! - he said with tongue firmly in cheek and a big grin.

Acronyms are usually used to infer that the user has a special knowledge not shared with normal mortals. Different companies use different marketing terms to infer they have something unique.

We should always celebrate diversity of language yet attempt to ensure that we speak simply enough to make our meaning clear to others, and create understanding.

Much of the advice has been about the technicalities of photography. A deal of my training at university on photography was based around seeing what other photographers had done. Studying Cartier Bresson, Parkinson, Karsh, Bailey, Adams and many others. That develops your eye. Makes you aware of light and composition.

Most can learn to take a technically accurate image. Becoming an artist is a whole different thing.