Photoshop - Lightroom or what other software for better results

[AndyXYZ]

I'm looking for some advice as to what I can use to better post process my pictures?

My current method is to shoot in Canon CRAW [CR3 file] then sift through for keepers [in focus]

Denoise with DXO PureRAW 2 and then crop and adjust the lighting in Faststone Image Viewer7.7

This has been a relatively quick process but I can see that I should/could be getting much better results if I was to use such as Photoshop or something similar.

My biggest issue is time and so while I am really wanting to achieve more pleasing results I know I need to put in a bit more time but I'm unsure what Software to go for?

I'm open to suggestions, here is a link to my Flickr photostream https://flic.kr/ps/41XxME

I have a reasonably new gaming laptop so something that works on PC

[James Cutting]

I personally have always used Adobe, especially Lightroom Classic, with the odd pole removal in Photoshop with their removal tool/generative AI. I also pay for the photography plan monthly (Photoshop, Lightroom and Lightroom Classic). Some suggest it is expensive but I always think I have my monies worth. The library feature is brilliant and can quickly flick through keepers by ‘flagging’ and ‘rejecting’.

My advice to you would be any softwares that take your fancy, trial them. Most should have trials. Also, look in to some tutorials and tips through YouTube - That helped me no end. And make sure you try to set some time aside to learn new software too.

At the end of the day, your output in final edits will be down to the time you are willing to put in to learn - it took me a while at the beginning but when I do get the time to edit (ha!) I know my way round the software a lot better

[AndyXYZ]

I personally have always used Adobe, especially Lightroom Classic, with the odd pole removal in Photoshop with their removal tool/generative AI. I also pay for the photography plan monthly (Photoshop, Lightroom and Lightroom Classic). Some suggest it is expensive but I always think I have my monies worth. The library feature is brilliant and can quickly flick through keepers by ‘flagging’ and ‘rejecting’.

My advice to you would be any softwares that take your fancy, trial them. Most should have trials. Also, look in to some tutorials and tips through YouTube - That helped me no end. And make sure you try to set some time aside to learn new software too.

At the end of the day, your output in final edits will be down to the time you are willing to put in to learn - it took me a while at the beginning but when I do get the time to edit (ha!) I know my way round the software a lot better

Hi James, thank you for your reply, I'll have a look at the Adobe monthly plan and watch a couple of YT tutorials to see what the UI is like, so far I have only done a quick skim research online and I had read somewhere that people use Lightroom to organize their workflow/library as it is very good for that and then batch processing in Photoshop.

My uncle does a lot of editing and iirc he has a monthly subscription for what he does, but as he mainly does landscape I thought it best ask on here for the aviation side of what I do.

I dont mind paying for the software if it helps me render better results from my pictures and I totally agree with you on the YouTube tutorials as I have used them a lot when I first started using and finding my way around Lightworks for video editing.

My biggest investment/commitment is going to be time, but as I'm taking a breather from video I am filling my time taking pictures.

thanks again

[Sparts99]

I think there's a lot of useful info and tutorials on Adobe's website. I do a lot of music photography, I started using Photoshop years ago but found it slow to work in, once I got Lightroom the time saving was huge. Photoshop for effects, layering etc, Lightroom for a more whole photo approach but the new masks in Lightroom are really clever. Also the AI noise reduction used well gives some stunning results if you find yourself forced to use high ISO.

[AndyXYZ]

I think there's a lot of useful info and tutorials on Adobe's website. I do a lot of music photography, I started using Photoshop years ago but found it slow to work in, once I got Lightroom the time saving was huge. Photoshop for effects, layering etc, Lightroom for a more whole photo approach but the new masks in Lightroom are really clever. Also the AI noise reduction used well gives some stunning results if you find yourself forced to use high ISO.

Cheers Sparts99, I'll have a look and see about getting the monthly plan going and see how I get on, iirc I can get a 30 day trial, failing that I'll sign up and get some practice in.

I've noticed that the plans have say, 1 gig storage or 20 gig storage, can I store my pictures on my HDD and not in a cloud somewhere?

[James Cutting]

Yes you can do. With the “new/cloud” Lightroom you can store images there and access through the mobile app too for instance. But that’s not for me and IMO the “Classic” variant is a lot better and more intuitive. You can keep images on HDD

[AndyXYZ]

Cheers James, that's sealed it for me as I use 2 HDD one main one at home and a portable one when I am on the move or away, so this will be a way forward for me

[James Cutting]

No worries!

So I keep a copy on my MacBook which I’m currently working on and then have 2 “mirrored” hard drives. Idea sometime this year is to migrate to a NAS system but that’s a whole other conversation

[AndyXYZ]

No worries!

So I keep a copy on my MacBook which I’m currently working on and then have 2 “mirrored” hard drives. Idea sometime this year is to migrate to a NAS system but that’s a whole other conversation

Lol understood, the memory on my laptop isn't great but I didn't fancy trying to rip out the original drive and replace it with the biggest I can get when I got it.

So I got a 14TB WD HDD and I was looking to link a couple together and create a NAS but other things happened.

I'll get round to it one day. When I get the time, that is my biggest issue these days

[James Cutting]

Yeah understood about time! I’ll take an hour of editing whenever I can

[Dan214sqn]

Just as a pointer and in no way am I affiliated, COAP online is just about to run a FREE set of tutorials,hints and tips on using Adobe photoshop and lightroom - I'd highly recommend having a look at that

[AndyXYZ]

Cheers Dan I'll take a look

[James Cutting]

https://www.coaponline.com/

I'm a member on their site and it is fantastic and would really recommend the free sessions

[DeavesPhotography]

Another big fan of Adobe products here.

The photography package of Lightroom and Photoshop is very cheap for what you get (although I hear it may be double in price ) and there are endless opportunities using this package alone.

Topaz is an advanced software set great for denoise and sharpening but I can't advocate for its value for money unless you're looking to take your photography very seriously.

[AndyXYZ]

Thanks all for your replies, I'm booked in for the first of 3 free COAP sessions tonight, so I'll be literally finishing work and downloading the Adobe package and having a little play/familiarization before the session starts at 6:30 lol

Hi DeavesPhotography, I've been looking at reviews comparing DXO and Topaz and so far it's looking like DXO is thought to be better but so far I've only ever processed pictures to jpeg not DNG for further detailed editing.

Yeah it's looking like my wallet is going to take a beating

[cat1]

Another vote for lightroom...

Does the job perfectly and very effective

comes with storage too which is a never ending problem for me

[AndyXYZ]

Just as a pointer and in no way am I affiliated, COAP online is just about to run a FREE set of tutorials,hints and tips on using Adobe photoshop and lightroom - I'd highly recommend having a look at that

Just come off the COAP session, very good indeed, thanks for the heads up Dan

[XWP29]

Worth reading these for those that may follow up on this thread:

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tech ... g-for-2025

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buyi ... ve-overall

Cataloging via an external hard drive using Canon DPP with separate files is easy.
There are several you tube channels for tutorials for various processing offerings.

What other for me.

[James Cutting]

Luckily mine hasn’t increased since the turn of the year, I can’t recall if they paused the increase after a big backlash. I need to remember to pick up a year subscription during Amazon Prime Days as usually £80 for the year.

Glad you enjoyed the session Andy. I’ve always found them a friendly group online and very helpful. I’m always learning! I don’t always aim for some of their mega creative edits but they’ve certainly helped with masking and how to create a workflow

[Dan214sqn]

Just as a pointer and in no way am I affiliated, COAP online is just about to run a FREE set of tutorials,hints and tips on using Adobe photoshop and lightroom - I'd highly recommend having a look at that

Just come off the COAP session, very good indeed, thanks for the heads up Dan

No problem at all.