What Software?

[Tony1967]

Hi All,
I wondered what was the most popular editing software that some of you use. I know that Photoshop seems to be at the top but it is a lot of money. Serif's Affinity has been doing well on the Apple platform but I wondered if I should be looking at different alternatives?

Cheers
Tony

[lookmore]

I run Linux on my computer. I tried several others then settled on Darktable. I never looked back since.

Sent from my thl 4000

[Shadowman]

Hi Antony,

I started with the basics ACDsee and overtime have tried about six or seven different packages, usually I'm looking for some particular aid to perfecting my images; such as a noise filter, sharpener tool, color modifier. How about uploading a few images, get some feedback, and then scrutinize the critiques to see what might benefit your post processing?

[Donald]

You don't need to go all the way and subscribe to the full Photoshop package. Buy a copy of Photoshop Elements. It's got what, probably, 90% of reasonable amateur photographers will use. And you can plug-in other software such as the Google Nik suite of software (Colour Efex Pro, Silver Efexc pro etc).

If and when you ever get to the stage that Elements is not enough for you, then you'll be at the stage of wanting Photoshop anyway.

[Tony1967]

I use Windows (10) - I have not heard of Darktable, is that only available on Linux?

[Tringa]

Hello Anthony and welcome to CiC.

I use Photoshop Elements(PSE). I bought (fairly cheaply) a copy of PSE 11 when version 13 came out. I find the stripped down version of Adobe Camera Raw that comes with PSE to be pretty good at doing what I want. However, the Organiser function in PSE is very good.

The only other editors I used are GIMP(which in addition to being free does just about anything) and sometimes Photoscape(also free). It is very basic but is very easy to use.

Dave

[mknittle]

I use the $10 a month adobe CC photographers package. you get the latest versions of Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge.

[Tony1967]

Hi Donald,

Thank you - I have been looking at PS Elements recently and I am certainly not at full 'Photoshop' stage just yet!

[Tony1967]

Hi Dave - Thank you, I'm really enjoying CiC. I have been looking at PS Elements which I agree seems a good option but will look at GIMP and PhotoScape to play around with...Cheers.

Tony

[Donald]

Hi Donald,

Thank you - I have been looking at PS Elements recently and I am certainly not at full 'Photoshop' stage just yet!

I use just what I suggested to you ... and I consider myself at the sort of 'Advanced Amateur' stage of the spectrum.

[JohnRostron]

I have been using Affinity Photo for Windows, first in beta, and now a paid-up version (around £30). I have not used Photoshop CC since. Unfortunately, Affinity will not import from a Scanner, so I have been using PS CS5 for that. Highly recommended.

John

[rpcrowe]

You don't need to go all the way and subscribe to the full Photoshop package. Buy a copy of Photoshop Elements. It's got what, probably, 90% of reasonable amateur photographers will use. And you can plug-in other software such as the Google Nik suite of software (Colour Efex Pro, Silver Efexc pro etc).

If and when you ever get to the stage that Elements is not enough for you, then you'll be at the stage of wanting Photoshop anyway.

I agree with Donald. Photoshop Elements is a very capable program that can often be purchased at quite a reasonable price. As Donald mentions, the addition of the Free NIK Software Suite can really make the PSE very versatile...

One very handy thing is that if you are working with PSE and feel the need to go to the more expensive Photoshop CC, much of your training and experience in PSE is applicable to Photoshop.

[Hevii Guy]

As are seemingly a few others here, I'm quite content with the combination of Darktable and Gimp/G'MIC. I use the former for Raw editing and basic post processing with the latter for final post-processing (Nik can also be used from within Gimp).

Other FOSS (Free Open Source Software) which I use regularly include:

• Digikam - digital asset management
• Argyll CMS with DisplayCal - camera, monitor and printer calibration
• Piwigo - customised photo web site
• QDslrDashboard - wireless (or wired) tethering from my tablet or MacBook

Photography is expensive enough. There really is no need to spend money on proprietary software when there are myriad FOSS options available which provide the same functionality (and sometimes, even better!). Unless, of course, you feel that owning the latest camera, ancillary gear and most expensive-software is the only way for you to produce great shots ;-)

[Manfred M]

Adobe is the "elephant in the room" and Photoshop is the industry standard. I think a good comparison is looking at all of the office software out there (word processing software, spreadsheet software, etc), but the industry standard is Microsoft Office.

At $US 10 a month Photoshop CC (which includes Bridge, Camera Raw and Lightroom) is a bargain, especially given some of the technology that does not exist in any competitive products - the various "content aware" functions, the dehaze feature, the concept of Smart Objects. These are features I use daily and would spend a lot more time on work arounds that I would have to use with the other products out there.

That being said, Photoshop has a very long learning curve (but frankly so does Gimp) and not everyone is willing to invest the time and effort required to become a knowledgeable user. Many people don't need that much functionality, so the other software out there is going to be more than adequate.

[chauncey]

but it is a lot of money.

At $US 10 a month Photoshop CC (which includes Bridge, Camera Raw and Lightroom) is a bargain

When you total all your photo gear/computers/etc, it is a bargain!

[Acorn]

The problem with Photoshop's high cost is Adobe's overall marketing thrust in the direction of businesses and professionals who can afford the use of such software and write it off against tax. I generally use Lightroom which can be downloaded as a one-off and PS Elements. But Serif's Affinity software, now also available for Windows-based computers, looks a very attractive proposition. Whether it has all the attributes of full-blown Photoshop I'm not sure, but it certainly offers more than PS Elements.

[mknittle]

I don't smoke and I can't drink so Photoshop it is. in light of that it is a bargain.

[chauncey]

At least tell me you have children.

[mknittle]

one stepson in his 40s, 4 step grand kids and one great grandson.

[Brev00]

I am another fan of Elements. I have been using it since edition #9 and am now on #12. I did a free trial of #15 but found that the ACR plug-in was the same as #12 so I passed. I have added Topaz, Nik, and the full onOne Software 2017 program as plug-ins to Elements. onOne is also a stand alone. I have also done free trials of numerous other programs to see if I like one more than Elements (particularly looking at the raw conversion systems). That hasn't happened yet and having everything inside Elements kind of makes it self-perpetuating. You can try all of these programs as free trials. Many companies also offer their older versions as free uploads. I recently uploaded DxO Optics 9 that way. The only problem with doing free trials is that one can get hooked on that system. I added Perfect Effects 8 as a free trial and have been paying for upgrades ever since. At this point, I do not recommend onOne as a standalone system as I have found some issues with the raw processor. They are hopefully working out the kinks for the full release (I have been using the pre-release version).