Photo editing Best editing softwares

[Morexp57]

Affinity is a very good, inexpensive alternative Morexp57, and has nice in built focus stacking. Have you had a look at it?

I finally bought Affinity on your advice. I am starting to do some tests and I find that this program works very well.

 

[panos_adgr]

I finally bought Affinity on your advice. I am starting to do some tests and I find that this program works very well.

Great!
Some feedback would be well apreciated!

 

[Morexp57]

Great!
Some feedback would be well apreciated!

I will do. In fact, I’m using it only for focus stacking at the moment.

 

[panos_adgr]

I will do. In fact, I’m using it only for focus stacking at the moment.

Thanks for the reply!
I once used capture one pro but I couldn't get used to it....
I'm so used in using photoshop that I cannot move to another software... In Photoshop I use ACR, layers, stacking and other techniques amd it has become like an extention of me creatively.

 

[Greg Shchepanek]

My favourite two are Photoshop & ON1 but I lean on PS the most for I have used it since I discovered that app in the graphic design industry. It has never failed me

 

[Morexp57]

I'm so used in using photoshop that I cannot move to another software... In Photoshop I use ACR, layers, stacking and other techniques amd it has become like an extention of me creatively.

Indeed! When you are used to a tool or a program, it becomes like an extension of your hand or your mind. I used Lightroom for a while and then switched to DxO Photolab when Lightroom went to a subscription system.
Which means I don't have Photoshop for the same reason... Affinity seems to me to be a Photoshop clone that is sold for 10 times less.

 

[panos_adgr]

Indeed! When you are used to a tool or a program, it becomes like an extension of your hand or your mind. I used Lightroom for a while and then switched to DxO Photolab when Lightroom went to a subscription system.
Which means I don't have Photoshop for the same reason... Affinity seems to me to be a Photoshop clone that is sold for 10 times less.

I keep your comment for afiinity where you say that is like a clone.
I'll check it out.

 

[panos_adgr]

Morexp57

Today I took a look on the Affinity Pro.
It has all the functions I use.
Raw editing, Layers, HDR, Stacking, Pano stitching, Smart Object support e.t.c.
I might try it.
The functions are not always that important as the 'engine' of the software or else, the 'algorithms'. I've tried some other softwares and the results weren't satisfying. Sometimes though, it is the subjective judgment of the usual habit of working with a certain program for many years....

 

[Morexp57]

Morexp57

Today I took a look on the Affinity Pro.
It has all the functions I use.
Raw editing, Layers, HDR, Stacking, Pano stitching, Smart Object support e.t.c.
I might try it.
The functions are not always that important as the 'engine' of the software or else, the 'algorithms'. I've tried some other softwares and the results weren't satisfying. Sometimes though, it is the subjective judgment of the usual habit of working with a certain program for many years....

I don't know how it compares to Photoshop because I don't really know Photoshop. I bought Affinity photo and you talk about Affinity Pro. Is this another version? What I do know is that Affinity Photo is really cheap and it allows me to do focus stacking, that's all I ask of it.
Maybe Andy Smith can tell us more about it because he's the one who told me about it.

 

[Andy Smith]

As far as I am aware there is only Affinity Photo, although I think some people reference Affinity Pro as the whole graphics suite of 3 softwares including Photo, Designer and Publisher.
I like Affinity but at the moment it will not completely replace photoshop in my workflow, because there are certain things I can do in Photoshop that Affinity is not so good at. Luminosity masking with control over the masks is one such issue, and I have a few PS plug ins that manage this extremely well and they do not work in Affinity.
I do like the focus stacking in Affinity though as it is much better than PS.

 

[panos_adgr]

I don't know how it compares to Photoshop because I don't really know Photoshop. I bought Affinity photo and you talk about Affinity Pro. Is this another version? What I do know is that Affinity Photo is really cheap and it allows me to do focus stacking, that's all I ask of it.
Maybe Andy Smith can tell us more about it because he's the one who told me about it.

No... it was my mistake. It is Affinity Photo and not pro.

 

[newmikey]

I'll stick with Darktable for raw conversion and edits, Gimp for pixel manipulations (healing, cloning etc.), Digikam as DAM software, Photomatix and LuminanceHDR for HDR, Hugin for panos and NeatImage for noise reduction and sharpening. Apart from Photomatix and NeatImage everything if F/OSS and runs native on Linux. Both Photomatix and NeatImage are commercial, native Linux versions, paid software but have a decent update/upgrade policy and do not "phone home".

 

[Vas (Jack)]

I'll stick with Darktable for raw conversion and edits, Gimp for pixel manipulations (healing, cloning etc.), Digikam as DAM software, Photomatix and LuminanceHDR for HDR, Hugin for panos and NeatImage for noise reduction and sharpening. Apart from Photomatix and NeatImage everything if F/OSS and runs native on Linux. Both Photomatix and NeatImage are commercial, native Linux versions, paid software but have a decent update/upgrade policy and do not "phone home".

I did heard about both those softwares, however never used them. Probably got used to Photoshop and Lightroom .

Have you tried Topaz Denoise ?

 

[newmikey]

Have you tried Topaz Denoise ?

Topaz doesn't have a Linux version so no, never used it.

 

[Vas (Jack)]

Topaz doesn't have a Linux version so no, never used it.

Alright, why are you using Linux ? I know the soft is free, but nowadays all Pc and laptops are coming with licensed windows. Unless you have cash for Apple products.

 

[newmikey]

Alright, why are you using Linux ? I know the soft is free, but nowadays all Pc and laptops are coming with licensed windows. Unless you have cash for Apple products.

Why would I NOT use Linux? I've moved to Linux as my daily driver back in the WindowsXP times, over 15 years ago. It allows me to control my own PC, liberates me of most network-born threats, allows me free access to a huge software domain, OS as well as applications are updated regularly, does not clutter or slow down my drives, requires minimal maintenance, no BSOD, no unwanted crapware eating up space and processor-time. In the end, it allows me to literally achieve any result I want whether it is office-related, photography-related or multimedia-related.

I use Win10 at work and every time I log in I'm confronted by its crippled interface, lack of customization options and limited software availability (although cross-platform software being ported from Linux to Windows is becoming more popular these days). I'm also very much aware of the fact my PC is constantly communicating ("phoning home") without me being able to stop it. Installing and then removing software leaves bits and pieces all over the place. My wife uses a Mac, quite intuitive interface which she likes but restrictive as hell - you're basically using what someone else has decided is the best interface and software.

I'm not at all against paying for software (and I have paid for both Photomatix and NeatImage) but when I pay for something, I expect to pay once, then own it and have the right to do with it as I please, use it alongside other options and not be tied to a single monopolistic supplier.

So your mention of "free" as in "no money" is not what drives me (and most other Linux users) at all. It is "free" as in "freedom" to control my own hardware and software and make it do exactly what I myself require.

 

[Vas (Jack)]

My wife uses a Mac, quite intuitive interface which she likes but restrictive as hell - you're basically using what someone else has decided is the best interface and software

I would never use Mac, yes it is intuitive and user friendly, but as you said is very restricted, you have to purchase any software.

So your mention of "free" as in "no money" is not what drives me (and most other Linux users) at all. It is "free" as in "freedom" to control my own hardware and software and make it do exactly what I myself require.

I know that Linux is free gives you access to a lot of free softwares as well. To be honest, I have never tried and don't know how easy is the interface. I do have Windows 10, and so far I'm happy with it. It's just struggling when editing videos, apart from that runs smoothly.

Why would I NOT use Linux? I've moved to Linux as my daily driver back in the WindowsXP times, over 15 years ago. It allows me to control my own PC, liberates me of most network-born threats, allows me free access to a huge software domain, OS as well as applications are updated regularly, does not clutter or slow down my drives, requires minimal maintenance, no BSOD, no unwanted crapware eating up space and processor-time. In the end, it allows me to literally achieve any result I want whether it is office-related, photography-related or multimedia-related.

I still remember windows XP. I think was great piece of software at the time.

 

[Morexp57]

I would never use Mac, yes it is intuitive and user friendly, but as you said is very restricted, you have to purchase any software.

First of all I bought an iPhone. I thought it was great. Then I bought an iPad. I thought it was great. Then I had to change my PC and I thought why not a Mac? And I thought it was really good. It doesn't slow down over time and it still works great. And it has a lot of programs already installed. No need for Word, Excel, etc.
So, yes, it's expensive. But it works the first time and it lasts over time.

 

[panos_adgr]

First of all I bought an iPhone. I thought it was great. Then I bought an iPad. I thought it was great. Then I had to change my PC and I thought why not a Mac? And I thought it was really good. It doesn't slow down over time and it still works great. And it has a lot of programs already installed. No need for Word, Excel, etc.
So, yes, it's expensive. But it works the first time and it lasts over time.

There have been many times that I've thought of buying a Mac. But they are so expensive.... Their displays are so top!

 

[Vas (Jack)]

First of all I bought an iPhone. I thought it was great. Then I bought an iPad. I thought it was great. Then I had to change my PC and I thought why not a Mac? And I thought it was really good. It doesn't slow down over time and it still works great. And it has a lot of programs already installed. No need for Word, Excel, etc.
So, yes, it's expensive. But it works the first time and it lasts over time.

I would get an Mac, if I would have the cash 😅. But so far, I'm happy with Windows laptop.

With Apple products, you pay more for brand in my honest opinion.