Best File Management Software/Editor for Amateur/Enthusiast?

I currently use iPhoto to manage and even make adjustments to my RAW photos. I also run them through DPP RAW conversion first. I am fed up with the lack of options for editing in iPhoto (I know, I know, it's not really intended to be an editor). I was planning on upgrading to Aperture before Apple discontinued it. I am also leery of the Adobe LR + PS subscription because I don't see myself having the time to really take advantage of everything offered.

Thus, I would appreciate some suggestions on a file management and editor solution (preferably an all-in-one). Stand-alone Light Room? Some of the free open source options available online? Adobe Elements?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and advice.

I love using stand-alone LR5

I would highly recommend a stand alone copy of Lightroom.

You can do all of your basic raw editing, key words, and move folders, create collections etc..

Personally as a hobbyist lightroom meets 95% of my photo editing needs and if you used iphoto before of should more than meet your needs.

That's what I am leaning towards. There are a ton of free web tutorials on how to accomplish virtually anything in LR, so I figure I can pick it up in a timely manner.

You could download a 30 day trial of Lightroom to see how you like it. Then you could better decide if a subscription or standalone version is better suited to you. I would offer you alternatives if I could but since I started using Lightroom I've never looked anywhere else. For my purposes it is that good. Highly recommend you give it a look.

Thirty day trial sounds perfect! I wasn't aware Adobe offered it. Is that for the standalone, subscription or both?

Another vote for LR5. It's great at File Management as well as post processing. Easy to learn for a Amateur/Enthusiast.

BTW, I recently read that Apple is discontinuing Aperture.

I was sold on Aperture until they discontinued it. Apparently, the local brushes on Aperture were excellent, plus I like the Apple ecosystem. In any event, the early consensus appears to be LR. I will give it a shot.

LV Moose wrote in post #17369403
I love using stand-alone LR5

This, although I'm still on 4 since I tend to skip a version.

I use Bridge. I really don't like LR, even after reading a book and trying it three separate times. I find it slow and clunky. Many love it though.

spooky action wrote in post #17369428
Thirty day trial sounds perfect! I wasn't aware Adobe offered it. Is that for the standalone, subscription or both?

You can get a 30 day trial on just about any Adobe software. There is no difference in user experience, interface, etc. between the standalone and subscription version.

I use both DXO 8.5 and Lr 4.4 both Free versions and very good and user friendly

P.

XNViewMP

I haven't heard of bridge or XNViewMP. I will look into them. I know of DXO, but did not know there was a free version, same with LR 4.4. What features are you locked out of on the free version of LR?

http://www.xnview.com/​en/xnviewmp/