Reading mode: Light Dark

Post-Processing Software?

Go to last post
V

viper699

Veteran Member
Messages
1,675
Reaction score
251
I know Photoshop has a huge marketing machine, see them all over. I own a version of PS from 2006.

I'm debating on getting the latest Corel's PS Pro or another software.

It seems PSP has a nice price point compared to Photoshop (no surprise). No interest in renting software either, zero.

I own the last stand alone version of Adobe Lightroom.

Should I bother getting Corel's PS?

I'm just getting into digital processing. Before anyone asks "what's your workflow" I don't have one. At the moment it would be put the card in the reader and transfer RAW/JPEG files. That's it!

Thanks in advance
 
viper699 said:
I know Photoshop has a huge marketing machine, see them all over. I own a version of PS from 2006.

I'm debating on getting the latest Corel's PS Pro or another software.

It seems PSP has a nice price point compared to Photoshop (no surprise). No interest in renting software either, zero.

I own the last stand alone version of Adobe Lightroom.

Should I bother getting Corel's PS?

I'm just getting into digital processing. Before anyone asks "what's your workflow" I don't have one. At the moment it would be put the card in the reader and transfer RAW/JPEG files. That's it!

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I've been using different versions of Photoshop for nearly 15 years. I purchased CS6 right before the subscription took hold in 2103 and have been happily using it since.

But today I tried out Affinity Photo based on the suggestions of this forum. It's actually quite good. I was surprised to see how relatively full featured and inexpensive it is @ US$50. There's a free 10 day trial and I'd say give it a try. (It has a Develop Module which is similar to Lightroom/ACR.)

I'm not actually looking to switch - yet. But this is the first viable Photoshop replacement I've seen (I used Paint Shop Pro back before learning Photoshop around 2002 and haven't used it since so can't say if it's kept up or not.)
 
I use Picture Window Pro from Digital LIght & Color. Currently at version 8 and donation-only.
 
I tried, and rejected Corel's image editing software programs: Aftershot Pro 3 and Paintshop Pro due to program deficiencies combined with non-existent tech support.

I very highly recommend Affinity Photo and DxO PhotoLab 2 Elite. PhotoLab 3 has just recently been released, but have not used it enough yet to comment.

Hope this helps..!!
 
I own the last iteration of Photoshop that's possible to own, CS6. I'm so familiar with it I could use it in my sleep (although no doubt there are still features I've never used). A couple of years ago I downloaded free trials of a number of other programs, but found that none of them could compete with PS. Things may have changed in the last couple of years, but I'm more than happy to stick with the best.
 
I like Affinity Photo a lot. It does everything I ever did in Photoshop, and more (including RAW processing), and only costs $60 (or less).
 
If your editing skills are not 100% Photoshop based why not giving a try to the inexpensive (actually free of charge) open source alternatives like RawTherapee and darktable?

They are both very capable editing software, although quite different one from the other.

They are well maintained, have frequent updates and feature basically the editing options commercial software have.

My 2c
 
I have used PSP since before it was owned by Corel. While I am satisfied that it is fine for me, I would just raise up one capability that you may want to make sure is available in whatever software you ultimately end up getting -- support for the plugins that you may want to use. I use Topaz Labs and Focus Magic plugins, and both work flawlessly with PSP. There are plugins that do not support PSP, so make sure that the ones that you like are compatible with it. FWIW
 
On the other hand, some of the more aggressive companies are adding tools that make the old plug-ins redundant. Luminar is clearly headed in that direction, and there may be others.

Kelly
 
I'm a photoshop user but with that said; go for it!

Preferably try the trial of Corel out first (if avaiable).
viper699 said:
I know Photoshop has a huge marketing machine, see them all over. I own a version of PS from 2006.

I'm debating on getting the latest Corel's PS Pro or another software.

It seems PSP has a nice price point compared to Photoshop (no surprise). No interest in renting software either, zero.

I own the last stand alone version of Adobe Lightroom.

Should I bother getting Corel's PS?

I'm just getting into digital processing. Before anyone asks "what's your workflow" I don't have one. At the moment it would be put the card in the reader and transfer RAW/JPEG files. That's it!

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
 
KCook said:
Photoshop is not my bag. I simply don't need all those graphic tools. Mostly I use ACDSee Professional. Dabble once in while in Darktable. Will admit to being tempted by Luminar. There are lots of choices today!

How much Photoshop/Lightroom vs other editing software do you use?

RAW processor software

Thoughts on Affinity Photo for a beginner?

Photo editing software recommendations for beginner

Kelly Cook
Click to expand...
Yep that’s the problem- so many choices.

how would I know if one software suits my needs or not- given that am new to digital, ie how do you know what you are missing if you don’t crazy trying them all??
 
Felice62 said:
If your editing skills are not 100% Photoshop based why not giving a try to the inexpensive (actually free of charge) open source alternatives like RawTherapee and darktable?

They are both very capable editing software, although quite different one from the other.

They are well maintained, have frequent updates and feature basically the editing options commercial software have.

My 2c
Click to expand...
 
tclune said:
I have used PSP since before it was owned by Corel. While I am satisfied that it is fine for me, I would just raise up one capability that you may want to make sure is available in whatever software you ultimately end up getting -- support for the plugins that you may want to use. I use Topaz Labs and Focus Magic plugins, and both work flawlessly with PSP. There are plugins that do not support PSP, so make sure that the ones that you like are compatible with it. FWIW
Click to expand...
How would I know what plugins I want haha- I’m a film person.
 
24Peter said:
viper699 said:
I know Photoshop has a huge marketing machine, see them all over. I own a version of PS from 2006.

I'm debating on getting the latest Corel's PS Pro or another software.

It seems PSP has a nice price point compared to Photoshop (no surprise). No interest in renting software either, zero.

I own the last stand alone version of Adobe Lightroom.

Should I bother getting Corel's PS?

I'm just getting into digital processing. Before anyone asks "what's your workflow" I don't have one. At the moment it would be put the card in the reader and transfer RAW/JPEG files. That's it!

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I've been using different versions of Photoshop for nearly 15 years. I purchased CS6 right before the subscription took hold in 2103 and have been happily using it since.

But today I tried out Affinity Photo based on the suggestions of this forum. It's actually quite good. I was surprised to see how relatively full featured and inexpensive it is @ US$50. There's a free 10 day trial and I'd say give it a try. (It has a Develop Module which is similar to Lightroom/ACR.)

I'm not actually looking to switch - yet. But this is the first viable Photoshop replacement I've seen (I used Paint Shop Pro back before learning Photoshop around 2002 and haven't used it since so can't say if it's kept up or not.)
Click to expand...
 
viper699 said:
KCook said:
Photoshop is not my bag. I simply don't need all those graphic tools. Mostly I use ACDSee Professional. Dabble once in while in Darktable. Will admit to being tempted by Luminar. There are lots of choices today!

How much Photoshop/Lightroom vs other editing software do you use?

RAW processor software

Thoughts on Affinity Photo for a beginner?

Photo editing software recommendations for beginner

Kelly Cook
Click to expand...
Yep that’s the problem- so many choices.

how would I know if one software suits my needs or not- given that am new to digital, ie how do you know what you are missing if you don’t crazy trying them all??
Click to expand...
There is photo manipulation and there is photo adjustment. All of them can do adjustments (change contrast, color tints, etc). The more advanced programs do this to a more sophisticated degree (which led me to ACDSee). Some have more novel adjustments (example Luminar).

Photo manipulation is a whole other bag of tricks. For example, in another post here you cited "the ability to remove people from an image". That is manipulating the content of the image, not just smoozing adjustments. Some "easy" editors attempt to provide the more common tricks (example Adobe's Elements). But the whole range of tricks requires a large program like Affinity or Photoshop.

You are perfectly correct, the more you expect from a photo editor, the more research you will need to do. Unless you pony up for the full Adobe CC suite. Which will be the opposite of taking the easiest or simplest route.

Kelly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top