What software do you guys use?

In the end I decided to learn darktable, which is what I'm currently doing.

I concluded that an Adobe subscription simply doesn't make economical sense for me.

Cheapo Marx wrote:

GIMP and Raw Therapee.

I'm still a digital noob (3-ish years) but shot lots of film last century. I can deliver competent exposures, mostly by heavily using bounce flash, so I'm not concerned with noise reduction.

I'm still gobsmacked by what Raw Therapee can do with a JPEG, particularly its Tone Map and Local Contrast controls.

For organizing.... I leave that to the Spaghetti Monster for now. All my stuff's backed up on external drives for when I get more ambitious.

Thanks.

As I mentioned, I'm changing from Adobe LrC to darktable...

GIMP  also seems pretty good, though it's doubtable to if I'll use it as I already have Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022. We'll see.

Digirame wrote:

I use the free IrfanView software and only take out-of-the-camera JPEGS. I try very hard to get the exposure, composition correct the first time from my cameras so I have minimal post processing. Of course, something always needs adjusting, but it normally is minor (that's my goal). I only do this as a hobby so I don't have the most expensive gear either. I just enjoy getting outdoors and capturing things that I can see.

I organize my photos by year in Windows. Then each folder has a date and location and the camera that was used. That way, I can quickly find old photos. I make a back up copy. I have to have a system that is fast to process. I'm constantly taking pictures.

If you don't mind, could you tell me please, do you use the viewfinder of your DSLR rather than the rear screen when shooting and if you do how do you judge exposure and white balance? I am thinking of getting a DSLR again but I remember when I owned a 1000D years ago having to take a shot then review it on the rear screen to check for blown highlights etc. At the moment I use a camera with an electronic viewfinder and I like having a live histogram so I know how my shot will look before I take it. I know I'd be better buying a mirrorless camera for the EVF but they're too expensive for me.

Thank you for your detailed and helpful reply. If I were to get a Canon DSLR now it would have to be something like a 550D because I'd like to get two or three lenses and a few accessories with it so that I can cover what I can shoot at the moment with my ailing bridge camera. Hopefully my bridge camera will keep going until I save up more cash or used gear prices come back down a bit.