Which photo editing program/service?

[DigiFilm]

Programs I use

Darktable: An amazing and powerful free program, well supported and updated twice a year. As powerful as Adobe, but focused more on processing than editing. Ridiculously powerful masking and top-notch batch processing. There is a learning curve, so be aware. Current version is 4.8. DT has been my go-to since 2019 or so.

Affinity: A good do it all program with plenty of editing features. Kind of a weird setup with different 'personas', I don't like having to develop my RAW file before I can do basic functions like cropping. Abhorrent batch processing but works very well for one at a time files. Excellent modules. Affinity updates for free, I think since I bought it the first time there was only one paid update, from Affinity 1 to Affinity 2. All interim updates have been at no cost, and they do include new features. Affinity also has a suite with graphics programs and others that all work together as a unit.

Other cool software:

FastStone image viewer: This will do all kinds of stuff like basic editing and processing, but the main thrust is sorting/culling/management. It has shortened my post workflow from days to hours. It uses the standard Windows file scheme. It will open any files you can think of, including HEIF (HEIC). Totally free and very intuitive, never seen an update for it in the two years I've used it, maybe I should check. Regardless, it works well the way it is.

Paint.net: Another freebie and well suited for getting deep into a jpeg. Won't do RAW. Works with layers and has some interesting effects. Another well supported open-source program, updates are regular. This was originally supposed to be MS Paint on steroids, but when MS abandoned it, the developer carried on. As such, it will look very familiar, except the steroids part.

DXO Deep Prime: A Denoise program that works on its own while you eat lunch. The results from this are always pleasing and sometimes jaw-dropping. Probably the best $ I've ever spent on software. The program recognizes the camera/len combination and downloads it from their site. It applies demosaic, lens corrections including vignette, soft lens correction, distortion, and denoise at the same time. It takes 1-1/2 minutes per photo on my computer, but I can put a whole bunch in and walk away while it works. Everything is automated. The result is a DNG file that can then be further processed same as you would a RAW file.

 

[Strodav]

The only real difference between LRC and PS (ACR), is the name if all you are going to do is edit simple photographs. Even with AI, which I refuse to use, simple is simple. However once you get past simple, then PS is your lifelong partner. Now you have a program with layers, masks, channels, etc. As to difficulty to use, it's like the difference between driving an old car with a slushomatic and driving a new Porche; once you get familiar with the controls, life in the editing studio is the Le Mans and many more races after that. I've been using PS since ver 1.1 (1991) and Beta testing every version since 2001. The hardest part about learning photoshop is ignoring everyone who tells you how difficult it is to learn. T'aint so, I say.

Jools..PS was never free and yes, like all editing platforms worth a flip, you pay for upgrades, except with the Cloud version. Since it came into being, I pay $9.99 a month, which considering what I get is pretty close to free.

I understand your argument, but the days of buy a license and expect updates forever are gone. With the Adobe subscription I get frequent updates that are not only bug fixes by major feature enhancements. The work (read that as salaries) that is required for enhancements is expensive, so I don't mind the subscription. The enhancements made to LrC and PS have been amazing over the last 12 months. With regenerative fill, I've been able to take those once spoiled shots with a twig or branch in front of a bird and just remove it as if it wasn't there. AI helps me bring a new level of creativity to my photography. Maybe Adobe's tools are not for everyone, but they sure have elevated my game.

 

[DavidVallone]

A good option is one that balances ease of use with powerful features. Look for something with strong editing tools and an intuitive interface that fits your style and workflow.