The Best Photo Editing Software

**brightseal** · 12-13-2018, 09:55 AM

The best photo-editing software in 2018 | Digital Camera World

**Merv-O** · 12-13-2018, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by brightseal

The best photo-editing software in 2018 | Digital Camera World

I've always been a lightroom fan...I tried "SilkyPix" that comes with most newer Pentax models, and I think Apple's Newest IOS has most of the light room features, but I find WIndows X to be remedial at best and not very flexible for final images. ALso, I don't think either Apple nor WIndows process RAW images well.

**WPRESTO** · 12-13-2018, 10:56 AM

Curious that initially the review lists no support for plug-ins as a negative for both versions of Lightroom, then in the second paragraph is says a positive of Lightroom is ".... support for plug-ins and external editors." A big WGOH.

**brightseal** · 12-13-2018, 11:22 AM

I am intimidated by Photoshop CC and to a lesser extent Lightroom. I don’t fully utilize the available tools and features, then again I don’t take enough photos. On the other hand DXO Photolab 2 I’m finding is fun to play with.

**BigMackCam** · 12-13-2018, 12:42 PM - **3 Likes**

Weird to see that Darktable isn't included in the article. I can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's right up there with Lightroom in terms of capabilities... and it's free.

**CharLac** · 12-13-2018, 01:01 PM - **2 Likes**

Another vote for DxO....super easy to use if you need it to be and has all the complicated bits also if need be. Add on the NIK collection and it really rocks

**c.a.m** · 12-13-2018, 01:04 PM - **2 Likes**

I find the article to be light on substance. It doesn't discuss the criteria that were used to rate the products to arrive at the "best" ones. Furthermore, it doesn't list other programs that were considered -- or should have been considered -- but discounted. Most importantly, the article generally neglects to discuss real-life user experiences with key processing features or their effectiveness.

On the positive side, the piece provides a shopping list of potential programs to consider. However, I wouldn't make a buying decision solely on the scant information.

**StiffLegged** · 12-13-2018, 01:12 PM - **1 Like**

It's an online magazine article - it's someone's opinion, nothing more.

stevebrot · 12-13-2018, 01:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by brightseal

I am intimidated by Photoshop CC and to a lesser extent Lightroom. I don’t fully utilize the available tools and features, then again I don’t take enough photos.

I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important. I strongly recommend purchase of the book (named on some variation of "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book") for whatever version being used.

...Oh, and it also helps to take more pictures.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-13-2018, 01:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Weird to see that Darktable isn't included in the article. I can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's right up there with Lightroom in terms of capabilities... and it's free.

Lists of this type are generally composed of products that are available for sale with the aim being to provide income to the site. Note the list of other "best of" articles in the right panel.

A short list of top-tier open-source alternatives for RAW development and raster editing (two different things) might be an interesting sticky for this section of the Pentax Forums.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-13-2018, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Curious that initially the review lists no support for plug-ins as a negative for both versions of Lightroom, then in the second paragraph is says a positive of Lightroom is ".... support for plug-ins and external editors." A big WGOH.

The first is indeed a very strange statement, though I can strongly affirm the benefit of the second, particularly Lightrooms pass-through ("edit-in") feature that allows sync'ed editing with an external raster editor.

Steve

**cbaldeck** · 12-13-2018, 02:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by c.a.m

I find the article to be light on substance. It doesn't discuss the criteria that were used to rate the products to arrive at the "best" ones. Furthermore, it doesn't list other programs that were considered -- or should have been considered -- but discounted. Most importantly, the article generally neglects to discuss real-life user experiences with key processing features or their effectiveness.

On the positive side, the piece provides a shopping list of potential programs to consider. However, I wouldn't make a buying decision solely on the scant information.

Conspicuously absent are any programs which run under Linux. And I know there are several, some of them well regarded.

**Des** · 12-13-2018, 02:12 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important.

It's like marrying young. A choice based on inexperience and limited information, you invest a lot in the relationship, both of you may be very different (for better or for worse) years later and you'll never know how it might have turned out with someone else.

**BigMackCam** · 12-13-2018, 02:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important. I strongly recommend purchase of the book (named on some variation of "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book") for whatever version being used.

To the OP - Steve also recommended this book to me some time ago when I was having trouble with many aspects of Lightroom. Although I'm no longer a regular Lightroom user, I can confirm that Martin Evening's Lightroom book is indeed superb. It increased my knowledge and ability in Lightroom processing considerably. In fact, much of the knowledge I gained from it turned out to be broadly applicable in other software once I understood the differences in the way certain tools worked. Quite a bargain, then...

**BarryE** · 12-13-2018, 02:35 PM - **1 Like**

One thing that rarely seems to get a mention when PS is being reviewed (no idea if others work like this ...): if you take your shot in RAW/DNX and process it, sometime later Adobe will update their process model in the ACR/LR engine. This means you can easily pick up old files and re-process them with the new capability. There's been many an old shot that has come to life this way. Add this to the (expected) redundancy protection of a product that is likely to around for a good few years to come.

12-13-2018, 09:55 AM	#1
brightseal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 629	The Best Photo Editing Software The best photo-editing software in 2018 \| Digital Camera World

12-13-2018, 01:04 PM - 2 Likes	#7
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,188	A shopping list of potential programs -- but more information is required I find the article to be light on substance. It doesn't discuss the criteria that were used to rate the products to arrive at the "best" ones. Furthermore, it doesn't list other programs that were considered -- or should have been considered -- but discounted. Most importantly, the article generally neglects to discuss real-life user experiences with key processing features or their effectiveness. On the positive side, the piece provides a shopping list of potential programs to consider. However, I wouldn't make a buying decision solely on the scant information.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Noise reduction in-camera vs photo editing software	Tigs	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	09-26-2017 07:29 AM
What's Your Experience With AFFINITY PHOTO Professional photo editing software?	Fenwoodian	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	13	03-22-2017 12:34 PM
Best photo editing software to use along with Lightroom 6	kjphilippona	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	10	07-22-2016 05:14 PM
Best editing software for a beginner	New 2 This	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	42	06-04-2014 08:42 AM
Best free photo editing software ?	old4570	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	47	03-15-2014 01:30 PM

12-13-2018, 10:45 AM	#2
Merv-O Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 2,098	Originally posted by brightseal The best photo-editing software in 2018 \| Digital Camera World I've always been a lightroom fan...I tried "SilkyPix" that comes with most newer Pentax models, and I think Apple's Newest IOS has most of the light room features, but I find WIndows X to be remedial at best and not very flexible for final images. ALso, I don't think either Apple nor WIndows process RAW images well.

12-13-2018, 10:56 AM	#3
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,103	Curious that initially the review lists no support for plug-ins as a negative for both versions of Lightroom, then in the second paragraph is says a positive of Lightroom is ".... support for plug-ins and external editors." A big WGOH.

12-13-2018, 11:22 AM	#4
brightseal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 629 Original Poster	I am intimidated by Photoshop CC and to a lesser extent Lightroom. I don’t fully utilize the available tools and features, then again I don’t take enough photos. On the other hand DXO Photolab 2 I’m finding is fun to play with.

12-13-2018, 12:42 PM - 3 Likes	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,661	Weird to see that Darktable isn't included in the article. I can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's right up there with Lightroom in terms of capabilities... and it's free.

12-13-2018, 01:01 PM - 2 Likes	#6
CharLac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Ottawa Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,419	Another vote for DxO....super easy to use if you need it to be and has all the complicated bits also if need be. Add on the NIK collection and it really rocks

12-13-2018, 01:12 PM - 1 Like	#8
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,615	It's an online magazine article - it's someone's opinion, nothing more.

12-13-2018, 01:21 PM - 2 Likes	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by brightseal I am intimidated by Photoshop CC and to a lesser extent Lightroom. I don’t fully utilize the available tools and features, then again I don’t take enough photos. I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important. I strongly recommend purchase of the book (named on some variation of "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book") for whatever version being used. ...Oh, and it also helps to take more pictures. Steve

12-13-2018, 01:29 PM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by BigMackCam Weird to see that Darktable isn't included in the article. I can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's right up there with Lightroom in terms of capabilities... and it's free. Lists of this type are generally composed of products that are available for sale with the aim being to provide income to the site. Note the list of other "best of" articles in the right panel. A short list of top-tier open-source alternatives for RAW development and raster editing (two different things) might be an interesting sticky for this section of the Pentax Forums. Steve

12-13-2018, 01:35 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by WPRESTO Curious that initially the review lists no support for plug-ins as a negative for both versions of Lightroom, then in the second paragraph is says a positive of Lightroom is ".... support for plug-ins and external editors." A big WGOH. The first is indeed a very strange statement, though I can strongly affirm the benefit of the second, particularly Lightrooms pass-through ("edit-in") feature that allows sync'ed editing with an external raster editor. Steve

12-13-2018, 02:04 PM - 2 Likes	#12
cbaldeck Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 14	Originally posted by c.a.m I find the article to be light on substance. It doesn't discuss the criteria that were used to rate the products to arrive at the "best" ones. Furthermore, it doesn't list other programs that were considered -- or should have been considered -- but discounted. Most importantly, the article generally neglects to discuss real-life user experiences with key processing features or their effectiveness. On the positive side, the piece provides a shopping list of potential programs to consider. However, I wouldn't make a buying decision solely on the scant information. Conspicuously absent are any programs which run under Linux. And I know there are several, some of them well regarded.

12-13-2018, 02:12 PM - 1 Like	#13
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,422	Originally posted by stevebrot I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important. It's like marrying young. A choice based on inexperience and limited information, you invest a lot in the relationship, both of you may be very different (for better or for worse) years later and you'll never know how it might have turned out with someone else.

12-13-2018, 02:22 PM - 1 Like	#14
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,661	Originally posted by stevebrot I am not a Photoshop user, but in regards to Lightroom, I am a long-time user dating back to version 1.x. Despite being very proficient from early on, it was not not until LR 5.x and purchase of Martin Evening's excellent book for LR that I truly started to understand what LR is able to do and how much was directly related to my needs for image management, editing, and publishing and how integration of those features is important. I strongly recommend purchase of the book (named on some variation of "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book") for whatever version being used. To the OP - Steve also recommended this book to me some time ago when I was having trouble with many aspects of Lightroom. Although I'm no longer a regular Lightroom user, I can confirm that Martin Evening's Lightroom book is indeed superb. It increased my knowledge and ability in Lightroom processing considerably. In fact, much of the knowledge I gained from it turned out to be broadly applicable in other software once I understood the differences in the way certain tools worked. Quite a bargain, then...

12-13-2018, 02:35 PM - 1 Like	#15
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	One thing that rarely seems to get a mention when PS is being reviewed (no idea if others work like this ...): if you take your shot in RAW/DNX and process it, sometime later Adobe will update their process model in the ACR/LR engine. This means you can easily pick up old files and re-process them with the new capability. There's been many an old shot that has come to life this way. Add this to the (expected) redundancy protection of a product that is likely to around for a good few years to come.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search