Photo Editing

SHRED · Jul 17, 2022

Any suggestions for a photo editor that does RAW files well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for Windows 11?

Thanks

WackeDad · Jul 17, 2022

Low cost ($10/mo) is Lightroom Classic. If you haven’t gone down the path of Adobe, the free editor GIMP is an excellent choice. I adopted Photoshop years ago and couldn’t live without the Camera Raw component (which is part of LR). It really depends on whether you’re a ‘professional’ editor or just looking for adding a tool to your photo cleanup tasks. Because my Mini 2 takes great video, I lean on Adobe Premiere Pro to edit them. But then you’re basically into the “full Adobe suite” <read $$$> category.

SHRED · Jul 17, 2022

WackeDad said:
Low cost ($10/mo) is Lightroom Classic. If you haven’t gone down the path of Adobe, the free editor GIMP is an excellent choice. I adopted Photoshop years ago and couldn’t live without the Camera Raw component (which is part of LR). It really depends on whether you’re a ‘professional’ editor or just looking for adding a tool to your photo cleanup tasks. Because my Mini 2 takes great video, I lean on Adobe Premiere Pro to edit them. But then you’re basically into the “full Adobe suite” <read $$$> category.

I should have mentioned that I'm not a professional.

WackeDad · Jul 17, 2022

Lot’s of info online for the GIMP. Here’s a link to a great intro. Kevin is a great instructor for all things M$, but you’ll get an idea of the great features the App has. Like anything, practice and experimentation along with tutorials will get you well on your way.

akdrone · Jul 17, 2022

SHRED said:
I should have mentioned that I'm not a professional

While GIMP is indeed a good editor, Lightroom is so much more than just an editor. It also organizes your photos and provides a hook for many other plugins. For instance, I use Aurora HDR for all my HDR images, which I shoot a lot of when doing any scene with clouds (many). It lets you see all your images in the folder structure you choose and "develop" them without actually damaging them. It really is the best of all the possible editing software packages and comes with Photoshop which is also incredibly useful at times but these days I do 90% of my image work in LR. GIMP is more akin to Photoshop than Lightroom. I'd give LR a try for a while. I -think- there is a 30 day trial. If so, check it out.

StantonZ · Jul 17, 2022

I have used IrfanView for many years to edit/convert photos. I don't do any RAW processing, but I know it supports RAW formats. Amazing value/quality considering it's freeware.

SHRED · Jul 17, 2022

StantonZ said:
I have used IrfanView for many years to edit/convert photos. I don't do any RAW processing, but I know it supports RAW formats. Amazing value/quality considering it's freeware.

I didn't realize you could manipulate RAW files with it.

WackeDad · Jul 17, 2022

SHRED said:
I didn't realize you could manipulate RAW files with it.

It all depends on your needs. If you want to adjust contrast/highlights/shadows/color cast, spot heal to remove dust specks or the errant bird, you’ll need LR or GIMP which are intended to do critical edits.

CorralesDan · Jul 18, 2022

I use three editors as they do different things - On1 Photo Raw 2022, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate and Luminar NEO. I enjoy the post processing as much if not more than taking the original raw photos.

Cymruflyer · Jul 18, 2022

Look at On1 RAW. It is easy to use, has many presets to just click a button and you buy it once and own it forever, plus it is reasonably priced.

DefCon65 · Jul 20, 2022

Check out Affinity Photo. It's $75 but it's buy once and you own it

wags1 · Jul 21, 2022

I've been taking Darktable for a spin. Seems fairly full function so far.

FletcherAero · Jul 21, 2022

SHRED said:
Any suggestions for a photo editor that does RAW files well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg for Windows 11?

Thanks

I use Adobe Light room, you can get the basic Adobe Creative Cloud package for 10 bucks a month

Gringorio · Jul 21, 2022

Check out Adobe Photoshop Elements. One time fee, one sale now. I don't shoot raw, but looks like it works for raw. Also, the video editor in the package is excellent with lots of tools. Photoshop Elements

mobilehomer · Jul 21, 2022

Try Paint.net. It began as an undergraduate project with Microsoft. It is free and there are plenty of free plug-ins. Very similar to Photoshop in gui.