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I've been reading reviews and watching Youtube videos but can't really decide which one I want to dedicate my time and photos to. I guess I'm trying to find a consensus and any help would be welcomed and hugely appreciated.
I've been using PaintShop Pro since their version 3 by JASC in the 90's. I still use the product, just updated to the recent version. There are a lot of options for editing and the type of editing you use.
While the PhotoShop apps are still number 1 relating to photo editing, in my view there are a few other apps that eventually could be used to abandon the dominance of Adobe software photo apps. For example, OneOne's PhotoRaw 2019, and DXO Photo Lab 2 are just two of the best kicking on the hills of PhotoShop (the Adobe CC software package).
The reasons for that are:
a. Having to pay a monthly fee to use the CC Adobe apps is a lot more expensive that buying the same but standalone Adobe apps. While CS6 and other adobe apps cost around $500.00 or more each before they went online, the money was well worth it to professional photographers and others around the world working on remote locations, or in places where there was no Internet available.
b. The OneOne and DXO software packages are standalone apps you buy up front without dependency on Internet connections once installed in your computer, and monthly fees aren't required. You can use these apps just as well as using the Adobe apps, although one would have to go through a learning curb for each. But the user manuals are readily available at their respective websites, on "youtube," and so on. The DXO ones are available in pdf format one can download and print at home, and it's a matter of time for instruction manuals to be written and sold at Amazon and other outlets.
c. Another advantage of the DXO and OneOne apps is that they are fully compatible with LightRoom, Elements, and the rest of the Adobe apps, and work as plugins within the Adobe CC apps. When one installs these two app packages on your computer, you can use them both as standalone, or as plugins (they are automatically installed as both in your computers). Photo Lab 2 incorporates the complete NIK Software Package, and if you have used the Nik Software in the past, you already know what I am talking about. A lot of Nikon users already know how good this software is.
I use Photoshop Elements 2018 with Topaz and Nik (or whatever it's called now) plug-ins. I have PE 2019 but at the time Topaz hadn't caught up with it so I installed 2018 because I wasn't giving up Topaz Studio. You'd be surprised what you can do with a bad photo if you are willing to artsy-fartsy (3 pages of effects) it up to save it from deletion. Right now, I'm in the process of going back 10 - 12 years and about 4 dslrs and 5 point and shoots ago to save some of those old bad photos I thought were goners with fabulous effects that hide my lousy photography skills, choices, then camera capabilities and then basic photo software capabilities.
A lot of people in my club who are much better photographers than I ever will be use Topaz Studio with regular Photoshop, now.
I’ve had only one software package I’ve stuck with over the years for imaging while many others have come and gone. I don’t need anything fancy and this has been a constant.
While the PhotoShop apps are still number 1 relating to photo editing, in my view there are a few other apps that eventually could be used to abandon the dominance of Adobe software photo apps. For example, OneOne's PhotoRaw 2019, and DXO Photo Lab 2 are just two of the best kicking on the hills of PhotoShop (the Adobe CC software package).
Photography plan
Includes Lightroom, 1TB of cloud storage, Lightroom Classic, and Photoshop.
US$19.99/mo.
I am just a hobbyist....
That's too expensive ($19.19 x 12 months = $239.00 per year). It may be a good deal for a professional photographer who can have somebody editing his or her photos, but not for me. Photo lab 2 costs a little over $100.00, and you own it once you pay for it, plus the upgrades are free. The same for OneOne Photo Raw 2019-.5.
I'd say the issue of "best" will never be settled. Truth is, the "best" is the one you'll take the time to learn and use. Most choices have far more tools than any non-pro will ever use.
Do consider that more popular programs have more support online. These days, I find google is better than the help function or books for issues.
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