I do not use Capture 1 Pro so I cannot comment on that program. But in Lightroom when you hand a RAW file to Photoshop you have two choices - "Edit in Photoshop" or "Edit original". When you "Edit in Photoshop" you give Photoshop the RAW file and the Lightroom edits in a sidecar file - I do not think Photoshop can edit the Lightroom catalog. Photoshop will edit the sidecar file and hand it back to Lightroom. I use sidecar files so I do not know if Lightroom automatically creates a sidecar file if one is not there for the hand off to Photoshop but I assume that it does. Other editing programs can also use the sidecar file but none that I know of will edit the Lightroom catalog. "Edit Original" hands the unedited RAW file to Photoshop and I assume that Photoshop creates a sidecar file with its Adobe Camera Raw edits in it.

Since you are backing up your data anyway I do not see the downside to having sidecar files from a backup standpoint.

A view in favor: https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/79552/are-there-any-downsides-to-automatically-writing-changes-to-xmp-files-in-lightro

A view against: https://fstoppers.com/post-production/most-important-setting-lightroom-set-default-8366
Note, I have no issues with Lightroom performance due to sidecar files.

A good discussion on sidecar files: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/lightroom-catalogue-backup-vs-xmp-files.21431/

My Google search with more viewpoints: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&ei=kSr6XYSxKcGv-gT3i5WwCQ&q=lightroom+sidecar+vs+metadata+in+catalog&oq=lightroom+sidecar+vs+metadata+in+catalog&gs_l=psy-ab.3...98344.98888..99495...0.2..0.62.122.2......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.8n6-eqxvF70&ved=0ahUKEwjEvbXgp7_mAhXBl54KHfdFBZYQ4dUDCAo&uact=5

I use sidecar files.

And as to converting your RAW files to DNG files - if you do not keep the original RAW file in addition to the converted DNG file you loose the ability to see how other programs interpret the RAW file. Each RAW editing program has its own way of interpreting the RAW file and that is lost when you let Adobe interpret the RAW file and bake it into a DNG file.

Assuming you are on a Windows PC try re-installing the application and it might just re-appear in your Add-Remove Programs list in the Control Panel. Uninstalling using the program's uninstaller will remove the application and any remnants from the original install.

You summarized Mr. Steele's viewpoint in this video very well. He removes his filters if he wants the best his camera/lens can produce (unless there is dust or salt spray in the air) and has them on his lens the rest of the time.

And the Kelvin scale is named after the Belfast-born, Glasgow University engineer and physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907). [From wikipedia.]

I am glad it all went well.

Wikipedia knows everything about fractals - maybe not everything.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal-generating_software

Towards the bottom of the page is a list of free and not-free software to create fractals.

Did the professional offer a reason for his advice?

And I would guess that you can set your camera to save both the RAW file and a JPEG file to compare your editing efforts with the camera's editing efforts.

No, it cannot be used to connect a second monitor. Here is the page at Dell with the specs for your new monitor: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-30-monitor-with-premiercolor-up3017/apd/210-ajgt/monitors-monitor-accessories

Your monitor has a few ways to connect the video but the USB is for attaching USB devices to the computer after you attach the USB connector supplied with your monitor from the back of your monitor to a USB connector on your PC (preferably USB 3). The monitor acts as a USB 3 hub when it is connected to your PC using the supplied USB cable.

The Dell page shows these interfaces with the first four (two HDMI) being for video with the preferred being the DisplayPort or Mini Display Port as they support the most data.

Interfaces

DisplayPort (HDCP)
Mini DisplayPort (HDCP)
2 x HDMI (HDCP)
DisplayPort output (MST)
2 x USB 3.0 upstream (Type B)
4 x USB 3.0 downstream (Type A)
Audio line-out

Check the box that your monitor came in for information for connecting it.

Those would be problems for me. You must be very forgiving!

Both work very well for me. I see what you mean about the clean background but the blurred background in #6 still makes the race car the item that draws the eye to it. Very nice.

Many cameras have an AF-assist lamp but a quick reading of the manual for your Canon 5D Mark IV implies that the controls for the AF-assist lamp only pertain to when a Speedlite is mounted on your camera. And the manual page with the Front-Of-Camera controls and features does not show an AF-assist lamp.

Were any of the phone cameras in use employing their built in flash? That would explain the confusion along with the fact that your camera being the nicest one at the event meant you must have been in charge.

By phone:

Correct answer. Adobe can fix it and has for others here at UHH after the Mojave upgrade.

This is probably what they were seeing. It is on by default and is used when there is insufficient light for the camera to easily auto-focus. Mine is an orange color but still annoying if it is pointed at you.