Get Prime Deal On Adobe CC or Learn To Use Affinity?

Hi All:

I purchased Affinity Photo but have not been too thrilled with the Raw Converter (though haven't used it in awhile). I know that LR is the most popular raw converter and I am really tempted to get the discounted 1 year subscription through Amazon.

I have watched a few tutorials but have struggled learning to use layers and masks with Affinity, which I would really like to do (along with some of the other great tools available). Should I take this opportunity to try out LR and PS and all of the tutorials available for them or just try to make the best of Affinity?

I currently use iPhoto for my raw conversion and feel it is holding my post-processing work back.

Thanks for any and all input.

Josh

I've worked with PS for years, am not even tempted by anything else and enthusiastically recommend it. That said, even with the massive support available the initial learning curve is steep. Not everyone is willing to spend the time needed to make PS a useful tool.

If you have the time to spend learning PS the $120-first-year Amazon deal looks like a good one. If you want more immediate gratification Elements 14 might be a way to ease into Adobe territory.

Thanks, George. I don't mind the time commitment and am willing to spend the time. It's more a matter of finding the time.

In any event, thanks for the recommendation. I think I will take the plunge and see how I like LR/PS.

I pretty much only use LR these days, with the occasional dive into PS if I need to really clean something up. I think it's well worth the investment for both LR and PS. Once you get the basics of LR down it's pretty easy to make some great edits to your photos without even needing PS.

AZGeorge wrote in post #18063997
I've worked with PS for years, am not even tempted by anything else and enthusiastically recommend it. That said, even with the massive support available the initial learning curve is steep. Not everyone is willing to spend the time needed to make PS a useful tool.

I have to agree, I am pretty good at learning software but Lightroom took me awhile. After a couple classes and watching videos I am very comfortable with it. I have tried other Post Process tools and I find Lightroom (& PS) absolutely the best. The others just don't do what Lightroom can do.

I have the CC and would not change I would also recommend it.

Thanks Graz and Lumens. I figure there has to be something with the interface, usability etc. that justifies its popularity. If I can't learn how to post-process using LR, I suspect there's no hope.

Looking forward to watching videos and maybe taking a class locally.

YouTube is your friend Adobe does have some helpful getting started videos on their site as well.

spooky action wrote in post #18064108
Thanks Graz and Lumens. I figure there has to be something with the interface, usability etc. that justifies its popularity. If I can't learn how to post-process using LR, I suspect there's no hope.

Looking forward to watching videos and maybe taking a class locally.

I would suggest starting with Adobe TV, and especially the LR series by Jullien (Sp?) Kost, a really good set of introductory videos, I really like her style, and they are free.

Alan

The advantage to using PS/LR is that because they are the most popular products there is a lot more help available. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are the best. The best option is to download trial versions of several different programmes and see which you are most comfortable using.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will check them out.

I'm also a Lightroom user, and find it very easy to use, but recall difficulties learning it. You might not get much out of a limited-time trial unless you really spend a lot of time with it. I suggest committing to it out of faith and then take the necessary time to learn it, at least the most important parts. I find the editing capabilities to be the most important; maybe for you it will be the cataloging features. Take it a step at a time or it might overwhelm you.

Thanks, Archibald. I'm primarily interested in the editing capabilities (raw conversions/editing, then hopefully learn to become adequate at layers/masks for tone mapping and other multiple exposure type editing), much less so the cataloging. I am going to purchase the full year, as I anticipate a pretty steep learning curve.

spooky action wrote in post #18064186
Thanks, Archibald. I'm primarily interested in the editing capabilities (raw conversions/editing, then hopefully learn to become adequate at layers/masks for tone mapping and other multiple exposure type editing), much less so the cataloging. I am going to purchase the full year, as I anticipate a pretty steep learning curve.

Probably a good decision.

However, I don't think LR will do layers. Har, I've been using LR for about 8 years and have to hesitate about what it can do. I'm still learning - just learned about Split Toning yesterday.

I wouldn't try to learn the whole program; that is unrealistic anyway. Learn what you need, and soon you will get good at that part. Then add other tricks as you need them.

Ha! Yeah, that may be PS. You're absolutely right about learning what I need - basic global and location editing - and learning it well.

Lightroom doesn't do layers but it does have the (local) adjustment brush, the graduated filter and the radial filter (as well as the spot removal tool) which allow you to do an awful lot while still working with RAW data.