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0 pointsswitchbak22d ago0 comments

I was a lightroom user for almost 20 years, and their licensing ridiculousness was enough for me to: - change up my workflow, avoiding raw so I can use simpler editing processes - do way less editing - take way fewer photos

It sucks, but I just can't justify their insane pricing scheme. I've been looking for Linux-capable tools for a while, and Darktable / Rawtherapee are a long way from what I'm after. What you describe sounds like a dream.

0 comments

15 comments · 3 top-level

Arainach22d ago· 7 in thread

This seems like an overreaction that punishes you more than Adobe. There are a number of other tools - until fairly recently Capture One offered perpetual licensing, for instance. Giving up RAW to spite Adobe is like being angry at Microsoft Office subscription pricing and saying you'll abandon word processors and just use a typewriter instead.

switchbakOP22d ago

I don't have spite for Adobe, that seems like a projection on your part. But I can't justify the purchase, and have adapted the way I take photos as part of that.

It's more like finding the subscription for a CAD program too expensive, and swapping to something more primitive instead. If that offends you, I think you gotta have a long hard look in a mirror some time.

Arainach22d ago

The point is that there are many options, at many different price points including free, that don't involve giving up 95% of the data your camera sensor provides and don't lock you into getting the exposure perfectly right the first time or else.

FastRawViewer, DxO, Affinity, Darktable, Capture One. Those are just the ones I personally have installed. There's also RawTherapee, a number of camera OEM-specific tools, and more.

1 more reply

edb_12321d ago

Back when Adobe upended their perpetual licensing, Capture One was touted as _the_ alternative and I gave it a try since my new Sony camera's RAW format wasn't supported by the last perpetual-license Lightroom version anyway. And man, coming from Lightroom, Capture One was one of the most horrendous usability experiences I have ever had in a creative tool. Even after keeping on trying for a long time, I could absolutely not find a workflow that worked for me and that wasn't filled with obstacles, pains, slowness, inexplicable UI design choices and illogical workflows that totally broke the creative process. It made me miss and appreciate Lightroom so much. But as a photo hobbyist I couldn't justify Adobe's then-new licensing model anyway and the hobby just dwindled away. I ended up finding other paths to express my creative side instead.

If Capture One still is like this, I wouldn't really be surprised if there's truth to the other comment here claiming that their current owners are trying to offload them.

lofaszvanitt20d ago

Well, C1 is still the best. But you need two monitors for a smooth experience. Image on one, tools on another. And it's a breeze. Lightroom is like trying to swim in a pool of mud with tin ankle bracers :D.

vr4622d ago

Capture One is a shitshow, however, and their new owner is actively trying to offload them, so a risk.

bigbuppo21d ago

Capture One still offers a perpetual license for US$349... it's the option down at the bottom, of course. And they still do discounted upgrade pricing on that, too.

bzzzt21d ago

They didn't do that last time I looked. You can only trade in your perpetual license for a discounted 'upgrade' to the subscription version.

1 more reply

qmr22d ago· 5 in thread

Absurd to let them affect you so. There are powerful alternatives many of them open source.

switchbakOP22d ago

Absurd? What's with you folks and your strongly charged language?

Please recommend these "powerful alternatives", because I have explored the space and found nothing that replaces Lightroom in a way that I find acceptable. Please omit Darktable and Rawtherapee as I've already evaluated those.

Melatonic22d ago

Lightroom mobile (only) is pretty cheap (still a subscription obviously) and does RAW. Depending on your workflow and device its not bad.

larusso21d ago

I think non native speakers may not have a good feeling how charged a word or phrase is.

In their defense you only spoke about dropping your raw workflow for something simpler not that you looked for a special HDR RAW support.

I know it’s Apple and may not what you look for but does Photomator tick these boxes?

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lofaszvanitt20d ago

All of the open source alternatives are a mountain of shit. Hard to use, shit ui/ux experience. End of story.

switchbakOP17d ago

This is what I've found, sadly. But there's always folks like Arainach in the sibling thread that'll chew you up if you dare complain about the usability of anything OSS.

This is the new version of "GIMP is better than Photoshop", it seems.

lofaszvanitt20d ago

Lightroom is terrible, was terrible. Use Capture One.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

15 comments · 3 top-level

Arainach22d ago· 7 in thread

switchbakOP22d ago

I don't have spite for Adobe, that seems like a projection on your part. But I can't justify the purchase, and have adapted the way I take photos as part of that.

Arainach22d ago

FastRawViewer, DxO, Affinity, Darktable, Capture One. Those are just the ones I personally have installed. There's also RawTherapee, a number of camera OEM-specific tools, and more.

1 more reply

edb_12321d ago

If Capture One still is like this, I wouldn't really be surprised if there's truth to the other comment here claiming that their current owners are trying to offload them.

lofaszvanitt20d ago

vr4622d ago

Capture One is a shitshow, however, and their new owner is actively trying to offload them, so a risk.

bigbuppo21d ago

Capture One still offers a perpetual license for US$349... it's the option down at the bottom, of course. And they still do discounted upgrade pricing on that, too.

bzzzt21d ago

They didn't do that last time I looked. You can only trade in your perpetual license for a discounted 'upgrade' to the subscription version.

1 more reply

qmr22d ago· 5 in thread

Absurd to let them affect you so. There are powerful alternatives many of them open source.

switchbakOP22d ago

Absurd? What's with you folks and your strongly charged language?

Melatonic22d ago

Lightroom mobile (only) is pretty cheap (still a subscription obviously) and does RAW. Depending on your workflow and device its not bad.

larusso21d ago

I think non native speakers may not have a good feeling how charged a word or phrase is.

In their defense you only spoke about dropping your raw workflow for something simpler not that you looked for a special HDR RAW support.

I know it’s Apple and may not what you look for but does Photomator tick these boxes?

1 more reply

lofaszvanitt20d ago

All of the open source alternatives are a mountain of shit. Hard to use, shit ui/ux experience. End of story.

switchbakOP17d ago

This is what I've found, sadly. But there's always folks like Arainach in the sibling thread that'll chew you up if you dare complain about the usability of anything OSS.

This is the new version of "GIMP is better than Photoshop", it seems.

lofaszvanitt20d ago

Lightroom is terrible, was terrible. Use Capture One.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse