Back into photography after 10 years

Was always into photography as a hobby and decided to get a real camera, a Rebel T1i roughly 15 years ago or so and had some fun with it with a couple lenses and a decent non Canon wide angle lens and some filters. But the camera never really satisfied me.. I wanted more higher detail. I wanted a full frame and L series lenses and back then, that was not a option. So expensive, they cost more then the car I was driving..

So I just sold everything I had and bought a S100 and just used that for a while and couple years after that, I just sold that and used my cell phone cameras on my Note phones.

But now is a different time in my life and now I can afford it.
I'm getting back into photography all over again.
Just ordered the EOS R6 Mark II, 50mm 1.8 and the 100mm L. And later will probably get the 14-35 L and for sure the 70 -200mm F4L
Always been into pretty much most types of photography, but mostly landscape and macro.
Feels good to finally get what I always wanted. It's the tool I needed for myself to do the best I can and be happy and will be my main hobby for now on I want to learn with this new camera and grow to be a better hobby photographer.

I always used just regular photoshop, but after watching videos, I feel like there is a different photo editing software I should be using? Lightroom? Software Filters?
I wanna make sure I'm using the correct program since I'm able to take photography more serious now.

And what are some of the best photo hosting websites where I can upload photos and share them with others at full image quality. A place that is free or low cost. Any recommendations?

I'm really starting to feel at peace finally getting what I always wanted and needed.
And it's really nice seeing this group still active.

Adobe has gone subscription. There are now two versions of Lightroom. Lightroom Classic or LrC that is like the old stand alone versions that requires local file storage. You can sync to the cloud but that does not send your files, only Smart Previews. Masking it pretty amazing now with version 12.

Lightroom or Lr was introduced about 6 years ago and the nickname is the cloudy version. It sends your files to the cloud automatically. It was designed for mobile applications.

LrC and Lr were never meant to be installed on the same device because to simply describe it both want to be the boss. That being said people have found workarounds. These days you get an install app and you can install whatever you like. The plans comes with LrC, Lr and PS. I never installed Lr because I’m not interested in the cloud You also get 20GB of cloud storage.

The reason I mentioned Adobe is because of your query. The plan also comes with a personal website via Portfolio which is integrated with LrC. You can sync collections to the cloud (Smart Previews only). Your family, etc can access your site whenever you like. I have a link to my portfolio site at the bottom.

For me that is where the value is when you compare other personal websites like Zenfolio. Careful about sales they offer because that is just for one year. There is always Flickr. SmugMug personal site via portfolio is expensive.

DXO PhotoLab is very good product. Top notch AI noise reduction. Something Adobe is missing but will come one day. There already is a Neural Noise reduction in the PS wait list. I use a 3rd party app for that if needed. No website. PhotoLab is on an annual upgrade cycle (October) which you don’t have to get every year. Just a heads up because if you buy it in August you will have to pay for the upgrade in Oct if you want it. Your timing is good right now.

ON1 has become quite popular but I don’t know much about it. Lot of AI adjustments.

C1 Pro is a very good product. If I was a pro portrait photographer I’d likely be using it. It was a little expensive for me and so are the annual upgrades but many here swear by it. Their fame to claim is Colour.

As for free software it seems darktable is the most popular. I tried it but didn’t like the interface.

There are more both paid for and free but i can’t think of any others

As as summary subscription does not work for everyone. If Adobe ever ticks me off currently my two backups are ON1 or DXO PL. I may yet even go back to Canon's DPP and use it with Affinity photo. Affinity is similar to PS.

https://fixthephoto.co​m/best-raw-photo-editor.html

Watch some of the tutorials of these editors/processors on You Tube too. Photoshop has lots of support as do others in lesser amounts. These will help you as you'll get to see the workflow and results. Then whether or not the subscription or outright purchase suits your uses/wallet.

I've been pretty happy with ON1 though still learning as there are many features it has.

digital paradise wrote in post #19451897
C1 Pro is a very good product. If I was a pro portrait photographer I’d likely be using it. It was a little expensive for me and so are the annual upgrades but many here swear by it. Their fame to claim is Colour.

Capture One is available as subscription or full purchase.
The subscription works pretty much the same as Adobe.
The full purchase gives you the current full version to use forever.

They bring out a new version every year or so but don't need to upgrade every version.
I have only last month upgraded my pro version 10 to the new Capture One 23 (v16?),
and professionally I'm finding studio's with different versions from 12 through 22.

So If you went with Capture One—presuming they don't bring out a revolutionary tool so
good no-one ever saw the need for it before—you'll be set for years.

It's like Photoshop used to be, where you'd buy one release then skip a couple.
...probably why they switched to their current rental model.

Affinity Photo is also good with same old school the buy a version keep that version sales model.
Serifs Affinity products are also extremely good value for an excellent tool set.
As a company they've been around since the 90's so have experience in developing graphics
and publishing software.

*Scruffy* wrote in post #19452356
Capture One is available as subscription or full purchase.
The subscription works pretty much the same as Adobe.
The full purchase gives you the current full version to use forever.

They bring out a new version every year or so but don't need to upgrade every version.
I have only last month upgraded my pro version 10 to the new Capture One 23 (v16?),
and professionally I'm finding studio's with different versions from 12 through 22.

So If you went with Capture One—presuming they don't bring out a revolutionary tool so
good no-one ever saw the need for it before—you'll be set for years.

It's like Photoshop used to be, where you'd buy one release then skip a couple.
...probably why they switched to their current rental model.

Affinity Photo is also good with same old school the buy a version keep that version sales model.
Serifs Affinity products are also extremely good value for an excellent tool set.
As a company they've been around since the 90's so have experience in developing graphics
and publishing software.

$30 a month in still steep for me as an amateur editor.

Thank you for all that info. Been using PS for many years, but was never a pro at it, but was able to do most everything I needed. Now my PS won't read the new version of raw files..
All the tutorials I see are lightroom, so I feel I will be left in the dark by not using it.
But, after looking at the prices, it just doesn't make sense for me to buy unless I was a professional. I just don't need it at a monthly fee as I'm just a hobbyist photographer, but looking for professional results.
I might even go a month or few months and not even use it or there might be a month where I only do a couple edits..
So I have some exploring to do to see what I can figure out on what to edit my photos with.
It's a real let down on how Adobe doesn't really care about the hobby user or someone who just wants to edit some photos. I know it's pro level software, but they should atleast make a Lite version or something.

Thank you. I'll look into those you mentioned.

Thank you. I'll check those programs and see what they are all about. PS is just way too much money.

SimpleJack wrote in post #19457170
But, after looking at the prices, it just doesn't make sense for me to buy unless I was a professional. I just don't need it at a monthly fee as I'm just a hobbyist photographer, but looking for professional results. ...
It's a real let down on how Adobe doesn't really care about the hobby user or someone who just wants to edit some photos. I know it's pro level software, but they should atleast make a Lite version or something.

My sentiments exactly. Like you, I resent being 'forced' to pay $10 per month ad infinitum as a lifetime hobby, who now makes zero money from the hobby and the use of photoediting software. Pay $10 per month, and -- if you had invested (at the historic CPI increases) that money instead of paying Adobe --

• In 10 years, rather than having spent $2400, you could have accumulated almost $3700 in your nestegg.
  
• Be in the hobby 45 years (I have had the hobby for almost 60 years!) and your nestegg could have been $15000, all for "It's only $10 each month!"
  
• For me, at 60 years, my nestegg could have accumulated to $30000, growing merely at the CPI rate....instead of paying Adobe $7200 over 60 years.
  

• Use DNG file convertor output from R6 RAW files, to make DNG that your existing version of Lightroom can utilize, or
  
• Use the DPP RAW convertor that Canon gives away with each of its dLSR/mirrorless cameras
  

digital paradise wrote in post #19457169
$30 a month in still steep for me as an amateur editor.

Nah, not suggesting you go $30 a month. I wouldn't.

I buy the full license and have that version last me a few years without upgrading.
Just as earlier full versions of Photoshop are still perfectly usable.

That said if you want to go that route you'll want to buy soon as they're changing their purchase/upgrade model early in the coming year.

You can download a trial and see how you like first.

A possibly to consider would be to use Canon Digital Photo Professional (Free download and use as a Canon camera owner.) to convert the raw then go back with the PSD, TIF, JPG files and edit them in your familiar editor.

I am best as well... after some 5 years.