Suppliers to the photography market are a fortunate lot: They have a meek audience which for the most part believes that in order to produce “better” results, they must have the most expensive gear, both hard and soft, which they can afford. Not having this allows them to blame the lack of such material goods as the reason why their shots aren’t as impressive as the next person’s (who may have actually shot their fotos with a cheap smartphone!).
Tired of being taken advantage of by the incumbents? Take action. Embrace Open Source Software. Yeah, yeah, we’re sure to have somebody piping up saying that the learning curve is steep and that the software isn’t identical to what the commercial bandits provide. Indeed. Absolutely correct. However, a neophyte on any unfamiliar software will encounter the same initial struggles until he or she eventually produces the same quality of results.
Break out of that well-worn rut created by legions of sheep slavishly and unflinchingly following the next in line. Rather than paying ever-increasing outrageous monthly fees, redirect your well-earned or well-saved money to perhaps taking your spouse out to dinner instead. This in itself will probably, in the end, have a greater impact on your ability to create better art.
I use the following:
Raw Processor:
Darktable
Post Processor:
Gimp
Library:
Digikam
Here’s a great resource:
Free/Open Source Photography