Need help choosing photo program please.

Sitting Bull · 03-08-2017, 04:54 PM

Hi There, I have been away for a long time and been completely out of the loupe as far as photography. I have an older Mac computer 2008. I have the latest upgrade for it ( el captain). My camera is a K200d, iPhone 5c and Canon point&shoot. I am looking for a photo program to replace the Photos installed with the computer. Something simple to understand and use. I will not be doing any kind of serious editing so not looking for a pro style program.
I am looking for your recommendations and opinions.
How do you feel about the original photo program that came with the camera (Silkypix photo browser3 and laboratory3)

Thanks so much for your help.

**lithedreamer** · 03-08-2017, 04:58 PM - **1 Like**

I find Silkypix very confusing despite years of tech experience. Instead, I'd recommend looking into Lightroom 6. Stores still sell it on DVD, and it's a great way to manage your photos as well as edit them. If you get stuck and/or need a primer, there are so many good resources for Lightroom too.

KiloHotelphoto · 03-08-2017, 05:09 PM

Lightroom may run real slow on a 2008 Mac. I just upgraded from a 2010, it was painfully slow at times.

I don't think you will find anything easier to use than Photos. When I got Lightroom CC I had to watch a lot of YouTube videos and got a real thick help book and I still don't think I've got it all down.

eddie1960 · 03-08-2017, 05:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by lithedreamer

I find Silkypix very confusing despite years of tech experience. Instead, I'd recommend looking into Lightroom 6. Stores still sell it on DVD, and it's a great way to manage your photos as well as edit them. If you get stuck and/or need a primer, there are so many good resources for Lightroom too.

I will add Lightroom has the huge benefit of being non destructive so you can revisit he original file as skills improve . It is very powerful but simple as well if you like. And as mentioned it is a great organizational tool

Sitting Bull · 03-08-2017, 05:20 PM

I should also mentioned that I would like to be able to create albums . The latest photos update has mixed all my photos up and I hate the faces . I don't even know if it can be disabled . I must confess, my skill set is very low.

Swift1 · 03-08-2017, 06:15 PM

Check out ACDSee Pro. It's very easy to use and loaded with features.

Caver · 03-08-2017, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by Sitting Bull

I should also mentioned that I would like to be able to create albums . The latest photos update has mixed all my photos up and I hate the faces . I don't even know if it can be disabled . I must confess, my skill set is very low.

If Lightroom is not an option (due to speed issues) you could try ACDSee Mac Pro. There's a free trial you can download.
ACDSee Mac Pro 3 - ACD Systems

SpecialK · 03-08-2017, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by Sitting Bull

How do you feel about the original photo program that came with the camera

Feeble and lacking :-)

I have been using Photoshop Elements since I bailed on the (feeble and lacking) Pentax software when it was v3.51.

I recently bought the DVD of v15, when it was on sale for $59.99, which included the Windows and Mac versions. It has 3 "modes" ranging from Basic to Expert. In expert, you can adjust the various sliders to taste, then open the image and do more things or just save it. If you don't want to get fancy you don't have to. There is a lot of tutorial info on the web, but a little trial and error on the main features and you should be good to go.

Otherwise, I would recommend FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ..., but it is Windows-only (and free).

Most of all, continue to read the threads in this section as it has all been answered, somewhere.

k22 · 03-08-2017, 07:35 PM

Photos with the External Editors for Photos extension. Then GIMP, Darktable, Lightzone, etc will be accessible from within Photos.

ellashan · 05-31-2017, 04:54 AM

Hi,
I’d recommend you to use Picasa Photo Viewer / Editor as it’s a simple app which can help you in editing your pictures, batch edit them and it also acts as a photo viewer.

Picasa for Mac lets you tweak, save changes and later upload them to Picasa.

**Craigbob** · 05-31-2017, 11:25 AM

LIghtzone is a good free Raw Editor. I've heard good things about Raw Therapee as well.

timw4mail · 05-31-2017, 12:36 PM

I'm a fan of digiKam, which is probably closer to Photos. Gives you basic raw editing and fairly simple collection management.

As a bonus, it's cross-platform. I've used the Mac version, and haven't noticed any real deficiencies.

DSLRnovice · 06-11-2017, 05:08 PM

This might be a good place for a question. For raw processing I have DCU5 and RawTherapee, but for detailed editing I have not upgraded from PSLe 5, which I know fairly well, and it can handle my K-1 photos. I had a full version of Capture One Pro that expired before I could really learn it, but I don't remember anything it did better than RT.

Would it be sufficient to upgrade to an editing software that uses layers, and continue with what I have for RAW development?

---------- Post added 06-11-2017 at 05:17 PM ----------

When I tried Capture One, I did not like how files had to be imported into the workspace. I understand other programs also work this way. Do some offer simple browsing of directories and opening individual files like Pentax DCU5?

amoringello · 06-11-2017, 05:26 PM

Somewhat of a newcomer is OnOne RAW (Or recently, now just/again renamed to "On One Photo"?)
It is pretty simple to use. It is similar to Lightroom with tagging, flagging, keyboarding, sorting, etc... but does not use a library (catalog). So it is very straight forward for importing and dealing with files in and out of the software.
I might recommend it before Lightroom for those not willing to buy into the long haul for Adobe products.

03-08-2017, 04:54 PM	#1
Sitting Bull Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 114	Need help choosing photo program please. Hi There, I have been away for a long time and been completely out of the loupe as far as photography. I have an older Mac computer 2008. I have the latest upgrade for it ( el captain). My camera is a K200d, iPhone 5c and Canon point&shoot. I am looking for a photo program to replace the Photos installed with the computer. Something simple to understand and use. I will not be doing any kind of serious editing so not looking for a pro style program. I am looking for your recommendations and opinions. How do you feel about the original photo program that came with the camera (Silkypix photo browser3 and laboratory3) Thanks so much for your help.

03-08-2017, 07:35 PM	#9
k22 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 153	Photos with the External Editors for Photos extension. Then GIMP, Darktable, Lightzone, etc will be accessible from within Photos. Last edited by k22; 03-08-2017 at 07:48 PM.

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03-08-2017, 04:58 PM - 1 Like	#2
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	I find Silkypix very confusing despite years of tech experience. Instead, I'd recommend looking into Lightroom 6. Stores still sell it on DVD, and it's a great way to manage your photos as well as edit them. If you get stuck and/or need a primer, there are so many good resources for Lightroom too.

03-08-2017, 05:09 PM	#3
KiloHotelphoto Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Glen Mills, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,030	Lightroom may run real slow on a 2008 Mac. I just upgraded from a 2010, it was painfully slow at times. I don't think you will find anything easier to use than Photos. When I got Lightroom CC I had to watch a lot of YouTube videos and got a real thick help book and I still don't think I've got it all down.

03-08-2017, 05:10 PM - 2 Likes	#4
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by lithedreamer I find Silkypix very confusing despite years of tech experience. Instead, I'd recommend looking into Lightroom 6. Stores still sell it on DVD, and it's a great way to manage your photos as well as edit them. If you get stuck and/or need a primer, there are so many good resources for Lightroom too. I will add Lightroom has the huge benefit of being non destructive so you can revisit he original file as skills improve . It is very powerful but simple as well if you like. And as mentioned it is a great organizational tool

03-08-2017, 05:20 PM	#5
Sitting Bull Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 114 Original Poster	I should also mentioned that I would like to be able to create albums . The latest photos update has mixed all my photos up and I hate the faces . I don't even know if it can be disabled . I must confess, my skill set is very low.

03-08-2017, 06:15 PM	#6
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	Check out ACDSee Pro. It's very easy to use and loaded with features.

03-08-2017, 06:17 PM	#7
Caver Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hungary (ex-pat from Transylvania, Romania) Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by Sitting Bull I should also mentioned that I would like to be able to create albums . The latest photos update has mixed all my photos up and I hate the faces . I don't even know if it can be disabled . I must confess, my skill set is very low. If Lightroom is not an option (due to speed issues) you could try ACDSee Mac Pro. There's a free trial you can download. ACDSee Mac Pro 3 - ACD Systems

03-08-2017, 06:43 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by Sitting Bull How do you feel about the original photo program that came with the camera Feeble and lacking :-) I have been using Photoshop Elements since I bailed on the (feeble and lacking) Pentax software when it was v3.51. I recently bought the DVD of v15, when it was on sale for $59.99, which included the Windows and Mac versions. It has 3 "modes" ranging from Basic to Expert. In expert, you can adjust the various sliders to taste, then open the image and do more things or just save it. If you don't want to get fancy you don't have to. There is a lot of tutorial info on the web, but a little trial and error on the main features and you should be good to go. Otherwise, I would recommend FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ..., but it is Windows-only (and free). Most of all, continue to read the threads in this section as it has all been answered, somewhere.

05-31-2017, 04:54 AM	#10
ellashan New Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 3	Hi, I’d recommend you to use Picasa Photo Viewer / Editor as it’s a simple app which can help you in editing your pictures, batch edit them and it also acts as a photo viewer. Picasa for Mac lets you tweak, save changes and later upload them to Picasa.

05-31-2017, 11:25 AM	#11
Craigbob Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Antonio, TX Photos: Albums Posts: 521	LIghtzone is a good free Raw Editor. I've heard good things about Raw Therapee as well.

05-31-2017, 12:36 PM	#12
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	I'm a fan of digiKam, which is probably closer to Photos. Gives you basic raw editing and fairly simple collection management. As a bonus, it's cross-platform. I've used the Mac version, and haven't noticed any real deficiencies.

06-11-2017, 05:08 PM	#13
DSLRnovice Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 192	This might be a good place for a question. For raw processing I have DCU5 and RawTherapee, but for detailed editing I have not upgraded from PSLe 5, which I know fairly well, and it can handle my K-1 photos. I had a full version of Capture One Pro that expired before I could really learn it, but I don't remember anything it did better than RT. Would it be sufficient to upgrade to an editing software that uses layers, and continue with what I have for RAW development? ---------- Post added 06-11-2017 at 05:17 PM ---------- When I tried Capture One, I did not like how files had to be imported into the workspace. I understand other programs also work this way. Do some offer simple browsing of directories and opening individual files like Pentax DCU5?

06-11-2017, 05:26 PM	#14
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Somewhat of a newcomer is OnOne RAW (Or recently, now just/again renamed to "On One Photo"?) It is pretty simple to use. It is similar to Lightroom with tagging, flagging, keyboarding, sorting, etc... but does not use a library (catalog). So it is very straight forward for importing and dealing with files in and out of the software. I might recommend it before Lightroom for those not willing to buy into the long haul for Adobe products.