Natural Means
Posts: 287
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The operating requirement for LR4 will probably beat me (or my lap top more to the point).
And I'm in the market for for an alternative. Preferably something low tech, that just comes on a CD and can be loaded independent of internet (if such a dinosaur option exists )
I'm not fussed about so called file handling - workflow qualities, just want a simple programme - I'm a light retoucher/editor/processor so a low horsepower option will do (bit more than Picasso though )
Natural Means
Posts: 287
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Al Lock Photography wrote: What camera system do you use? If Nikon, View NX2 can do a lot of what Lightroom does.
Thanks for thought. Im Using Pentax and the Pentax lab programme (i think thats what was called) was horrendous. Love the cameras but the software was about as much fun as filling in a tax return. Lol.
I assume you are using Windows. If you are willing to dual boot with Linux. Try this: http://www.darktable.org/install/ Its free and cool. It works with OS X but there is no Windows install. Picassa is also free but lacks many of the features of LR but try it out.
RKD Photographic
Posts: 2,989
Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
None really - it's why a lot of us still use it despite the glitches and slow performance issues...
But if you want a cheap and cheerful retouch/edit program then Photoshop Elements would probably do - maybe look for an older version on Ebay unless you need the latest tools... that said it might not be supported by the latest updates, so make sure your camera-type is supported by the RAW converter...
GIMP does little for workflow. Photoshop Elements has some workflow (it ain't Lightroom 4 but you can batch import raw files and batch this and batch that so it gets you going). its always going on sale for 59$.
Shot By Adam wrote: I believe you can buy Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro both on CD/DVD still. I see them at Office Max/Depot all the time.
And neither one of these is a Lightroom replacement.
OP,
If you have a Mac, try Aperture. If not, Lightroom is about it. The question you should be asking is whether you need Lightroom at all? Are you using features that it has that cannot be replaced in Bridge? If all you are doing with LR is developing Raw images, you don't need LR at all.
And neither one of these is a Lightroom replacement.
you should look at elements again. they added workflow a few versions ago. Its not LR but it does the job for many people (I dont use it). batch import, rating, etc etc. OP said they have minimal requirements.
Jeff Cohn
Posts: 3,821
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Time for new laptop, its somewhat inevitable if LR is already an issue, its just gonna get worse and you'll spend more time fussing over an inferior program trying to do what you want then you would just saving up and buying the right tool for the job you want to do.
Natural Means wrote: The operating requirement for LR4 will probably beat me (or my lap top more to the point).
And I'm in the market for for an alternative. Preferably something low tech, that just comes on a CD and can be loaded independent of internet (if such a dinosaur option exists )
I'm not fussed about so called file handling - workflow qualities, just want a simple programme - I'm a light retoucher/editor/processor so a low horsepower option will do (bit more than Picasso though )
Natural Means wrote: The operating requirement for LR4 will probably beat me (or my lap top more to the point).
And I'm in the market for for an alternative. Preferably something low tech, that just comes on a CD and can be loaded independent of internet (if such a dinosaur option exists )
I'm not fussed about so called file handling - workflow qualities, just want a simple programme - I'm a light retoucher/editor/processor so a low horsepower option will do (bit more than Picasso though )
It is called AfterShot Pro and I've been using it for about a year now. It is intended to be Corel's direct competitor to Lightroom. It doesn't have the same overhead as LR, and it doesn't require you to put everything in catalogs.
There is some concern among the userbase about how much support, updates, etc. Corel will be providing. Corel introduced it at $99 when LR was still $300, positioning it as a powerful, low-cost, alternative to LR. Adobe responded by dropping LR to $150, and I don't think ASP has sold as well as Corel had hoped.
You can trial it and make sure that your camera's RAW format is supported. I've been happy with it, but I don't have the latest-and-greatest cameras either.
As some has already said, give photoshop elements a try. I use to use it until jumping to CS6, and I was very happy with it. And believe me, it was a very good and cost effective editing software to use at the time and still is. Give it a shot and download the trial version.
SKITA Studios
Posts: 1,316
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Try Lightroom 3 (the previous version). Works fine for my Pentax files and less system intensive though it doesn't have as many features as LR4.
Darktable on Linux is an option if you want cheap.
Capture One has better skin tones from examples I've seen so you might want to take a serious look at it now that they've decided to compete w/ Lightroom's pricing :-)
If you get a cheap alternative that's what you'll have. Having messed around with inexpensive alternatives (elements) I quickly found that these programs are limiting and soon gave my elements away after purchasing LR and Photoshop. There are many advantages to LR, but one that I find valuable is non-destructive editing in LR.
Natural Means
Posts: 287
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
David Nelson Photograph wrote: If you get a cheap alternative that's what you'll have. Having messed around with inexpensive alternatives (elements) I quickly found that these programs are limiting and soon gave my elements away after purchasing LR and Photoshop. There are many advantages to LR, but one that I find valuable is non-destructive editing in LR.
Yeah, i guess.
But i really really want to throw my toys out of my pram...
Toby Key
Posts: 312
Chichester, England, United Kingdom
Capture One make an express version of their software which is cheaper than LR. You can also trial Capture One first see if you like it. I use Capture One Pro and find it's a lot more logically laid out than LR, but there isn't the same availability in presets and plug ins as LR, although you can make your own and it comes with some ready made ones.
Dan Brady
Posts: 554
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Natural Means wrote: The operating requirement for LR4 will probably beat me (or my lap top more to the point).
And I'm in the market for for an alternative. Preferably something low tech, that just comes on a CD and can be loaded independent of internet (if such a dinosaur option exists )
I'm not fussed about so called file handling - workflow qualities, just want a simple programme - I'm a light retoucher/editor/processor so a low horsepower option will do (bit more than Picasso though )
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