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Ducky13 · 11-07-2021, 07:48 AM - **1 Like**

Hi All,

I've been into digital photography for almost two decades, but have never forayed into the world of post processing beyond making some minor adjustments in the Windows photo app. Off late I have realised that post processing is an important aspect of digital photography so I wanted to at least attempt to learn some basics.

Lightroom seems like the obvious choice as a step-up from the Windows photo app, but I'm not keen on having to subscribe and I don't need help organizing my photos. Hence I was hoping to get some suggestions for alternatives.

I don't mind paying, but nothing too crazy and I'm not keen on a subscription service. I don't need cloud space and would rather have the software installed on my laptop and be able to edit photos saved on my hard drive without uploading them to a cloud. Finally, I'm not looking to make any complex edits like the ones that Photoshop tends to offer.

Looking forward to seeing some suggestions

Thanks,
Ducky

**jersey** · 11-07-2021, 07:51 AM - **1 Like**

There is editing soft in all Pentax cameras or on included CD: Pentax DCU. Use this. Free, has all Pentax presets included, great piece of software.

bertwert · 11-07-2021, 07:53 AM - **7 Likes**

I like darktable - it's a free open source raw developer. It may not have all the features of Lightroom, but having never used Lightroom myself I don't find them missing. A bit of a learning curve as you figure it out (and having used it for years, I'm still learning!) but that comes with any raw developer.

https://www.darktable.org/

**i_trax** · 11-07-2021, 07:59 AM - **1 Like**

I am a Mac user , but there is very useful and free WIN software:
FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ...

bscott · 11-07-2021, 08:20 AM - **1 Like**

Capture One Pro.

**boriscleto** · 11-07-2021, 08:27 AM - **4 Likes**

On1 Photo RAW

disconnekt · 11-07-2021, 08:34 AM - **1 Like**

Ive heard good things about Affinity Photo (more of a Photoshop alternative), plus its only a ~$55 "one time buy" type of deal (no subscription service like Adobe)

vonBaloney · 11-07-2021, 08:35 AM - **2 Likes**

There are certainly alternatives, but just to be clear you can use Lightroom installed on your PC without ever sending anything to the cloud. The "photography plan" ($10/mo) also includes Photoshop itself...

texandrews · 11-07-2021, 08:39 AM - **3 Likes**

Well....yes, there are some very capable programs out there (I run a website for one of the free ones, LightZone), and if you like this sort of thing then trying different ones can be fun. I've used several, and from longtime bias I am an Adobe skeptic. But here I have to weigh in with a very hearty vote for Lightroom. I have been forced to use it for a few years for work, and have become impressed. The newest iteration, just out now, has the best available masking for a raw developer.

So, don't just dismiss it out of hand. The subscription model really isn't so onerous, and I now believe it has actually allowed Adobe to better roll out improvements in a more timely fashion.

Haenzel · 11-07-2021, 08:47 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by bertwert

I like darktable - it's a free open source raw developer. It may not have all the features of Lightroom, but having never used Lightroom myself I don't find them missing. A bit of a learning curve as you figure it out (and having used it for years, I'm still learning!) but that comes with any raw developer.

https://www.darktable.org/

+1 Darktable is amazing !!

**UncleVanya** · 11-07-2021, 09:23 AM - **1 Like**

DXO PhotoLab. There’s a free trial. I went from Lightroom to that.

New DxO PhotoLab 5

**StiffLegged** · 11-07-2021, 09:25 AM - **2 Likes**

I think you should decide whether you want to use free/open-source software or payware. If free/open-source, you have to take the time to learn whichever you pick because the capable ones are not immediately user-friendly. If payware, you're not going to get anything properly capable without paying proper money. i was frankly horrified at the price quoted recently for an Adobe rival - either subscription or permanent licence. People grumble at the "Adobe Tax" but it really offers remarkable value for money. No, I'm not a subscriber – I'm a long-term old Photoshop version permanent licence holder.

Your choice!

pschlute · 11-07-2021, 09:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Ducky13

I don't need cloud space and would rather have the software installed on my laptop and be able to edit photos saved on my hard drive without uploading them to a cloud.

Despite the name "Adobe Creative Cloud" which under which the Adobe products like Lightroom/Photoshop/Bridge/Adobe Camera Raw run, you do not need the cloud. There are two versions of Lightroom, LR Classic is the non-cloud based version, although you can still upload images if you want to.

I also think the Photography plan is great value. For £10 month I get LR, Photoshop,, Bridge, Camera Raw, and my own website. Constantly updated.

Ducky13 · 11-07-2021, 09:35 AM

Thanks everyone. I will look into all the suggestions. Really appreciate all the answers.

**Serkevan** · 11-07-2021, 11:22 AM - **2 Likes**

Since it has not been mentioned, I thought I'd drop RawTherapee here as a free alternative - admittedly it *has* a much steeper learning curve than Lightroom, but it is powerful and I personally feel I get better colours out of it; in fact, lately I've moved away from LR completely.

That said, like Tex, I wholeheartedly agree that the Adobe option is excellent: it takes no time to start getting decent results out of the software, and its spot healing/adjustment brushes are incredibly useful.

11-07-2021, 07:48 AM - 1 Like	#1
Ducky13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 74	Lightroom Alternative Hi All, I've been into digital photography for almost two decades, but have never forayed into the world of post processing beyond making some minor adjustments in the Windows photo app. Off late I have realised that post processing is an important aspect of digital photography so I wanted to at least attempt to learn some basics. Lightroom seems like the obvious choice as a step-up from the Windows photo app, but I'm not keen on having to subscribe and I don't need help organizing my photos. Hence I was hoping to get some suggestions for alternatives. I don't mind paying, but nothing too crazy and I'm not keen on a subscription service. I don't need cloud space and would rather have the software installed on my laptop and be able to edit photos saved on my hard drive without uploading them to a cloud. Finally, I'm not looking to make any complex edits like the ones that Photoshop tends to offer. Looking forward to seeing some suggestions Thanks, Ducky

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11-07-2021, 07:51 AM - 1 Like	#2
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,064	There is editing soft in all Pentax cameras or on included CD: Pentax DCU. Use this. Free, has all Pentax presets included, great piece of software.

11-07-2021, 07:53 AM - 7 Likes	#3
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	I like darktable - it's a free open source raw developer. It may not have all the features of Lightroom, but having never used Lightroom myself I don't find them missing. A bit of a learning curve as you figure it out (and having used it for years, I'm still learning!) but that comes with any raw developer. https://www.darktable.org/

11-07-2021, 07:59 AM - 1 Like	#4
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	I am a Mac user , but there is very useful and free WIN software: FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ...

11-07-2021, 08:20 AM - 1 Like	#5
bscott Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 483	Capture One Pro.

11-07-2021, 08:27 AM - 4 Likes	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	On1 Photo RAW

11-07-2021, 08:34 AM - 1 Like	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,702	Ive heard good things about Affinity Photo (more of a Photoshop alternative), plus its only a ~$55 "one time buy" type of deal (no subscription service like Adobe)

11-07-2021, 08:35 AM - 2 Likes	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	There are certainly alternatives, but just to be clear you can use Lightroom installed on your PC without ever sending anything to the cloud. The "photography plan" ($10/mo) also includes Photoshop itself...

11-07-2021, 08:39 AM - 3 Likes	#9
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,400	Well....yes, there are some very capable programs out there (I run a website for one of the free ones, LightZone), and if you like this sort of thing then trying different ones can be fun. I've used several, and from longtime bias I am an Adobe skeptic. But here I have to weigh in with a very hearty vote for Lightroom. I have been forced to use it for a few years for work, and have become impressed. The newest iteration, just out now, has the best available masking for a raw developer. So, don't just dismiss it out of hand. The subscription model really isn't so onerous, and I now believe it has actually allowed Adobe to better roll out improvements in a more timely fashion.

11-07-2021, 08:47 AM - 3 Likes	#10
Haenzel Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 151	Originally posted by bertwert I like darktable - it's a free open source raw developer. It may not have all the features of Lightroom, but having never used Lightroom myself I don't find them missing. A bit of a learning curve as you figure it out (and having used it for years, I'm still learning!) but that comes with any raw developer. https://www.darktable.org/ +1 Darktable is amazing !!

11-07-2021, 09:23 AM - 1 Like	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	DXO PhotoLab. There’s a free trial. I went from Lightroom to that. New DxO PhotoLab 5

11-07-2021, 09:25 AM - 2 Likes	#12
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,639	I think you should decide whether you want to use free/open-source software or payware. If free/open-source, you have to take the time to learn whichever you pick because the capable ones are not immediately user-friendly. If payware, you're not going to get anything properly capable without paying proper money. i was frankly horrified at the price quoted recently for an Adobe rival - either subscription or permanent licence. People grumble at the "Adobe Tax" but it really offers remarkable value for money. No, I'm not a subscriber – I'm a long-term old Photoshop version permanent licence holder. Your choice!

11-07-2021, 09:35 AM - 2 Likes	#13
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	Originally posted by Ducky13 I don't need cloud space and would rather have the software installed on my laptop and be able to edit photos saved on my hard drive without uploading them to a cloud. Despite the name "Adobe Creative Cloud" which under which the Adobe products like Lightroom/Photoshop/Bridge/Adobe Camera Raw run, you do not need the cloud. There are two versions of Lightroom, LR Classic is the non-cloud based version, although you can still upload images if you want to. I also think the Photography plan is great value. For £10 month I get LR, Photoshop,, Bridge, Camera Raw, and my own website. Constantly updated.

11-07-2021, 09:35 AM	#14
Ducky13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 74 Original Poster	Thanks everyone. I will look into all the suggestions. Really appreciate all the answers.

11-07-2021, 11:22 AM - 2 Likes	#15
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Since it has not been mentioned, I thought I'd drop RawTherapee here as a free alternative - admittedly it has a much steeper learning curve than Lightroom, but it is powerful and I personally feel I get better colours out of it; in fact, lately I've moved away from LR completely. That said, like Tex, I wholeheartedly agree that the Adobe option is excellent: it takes no time to start getting decent results out of the software, and its spot healing/adjustment brushes are incredibly useful.

Lightroom Alternative

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!