Non-subscription editor for iPad Pro / iMac ??

[Deleted member 88956]

Looking for recommendations for a non-subscription based photo editor for Apple's environment, both iPad and iMac (still new to this fruit, so am not sure if there are apps that run on one but not the other).

What's out there with Lightroom feel? I still have LR last non-subscription version on Windows machine, but am moving to Pad/Mac now.

 

[samcomet]

You might want to take a look at DarkTable and Topaz. They both do LR style digi editing and if I recall correctly they are both free. I use DarkTable after many years of LR. I am quite happy with the change over. Best of luck. Cheers!

 

[removed account4]

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/just-cancelled-photoshop.182555/

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/what-replaces-photoshop.180929/

I use ps (2, 3, 4, LE, Elements/Elements Expanded, CS 1+2 and the current since 4 years ago) and have since been he mid/ early 90s ) …. I thought of switching and searched and tested and realized after wasting time and effort it’s wasn't worth the hassle of other things that don't handle images the same or don't do what I am used to/ want them to do ... or have customer-centric customer service, besides It’s pretty inexpensive. I think it costs me pennies a day, and it works..

that said, I understand pixelmator is pretty good, I've never used it though.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

You might want to take a look at DarkTable and Topaz. They both do LR style digi editing and if I recall correctly they are both free. I use DarkTable after many years of LR. I am quite happy with the change over. Best of luck. Cheers!

Can you run Darktable on iOS?

 

[Alan9940]

Can you run Darktable on iOS?

Not that I'm aware of.

For raw conversion on iOS, I'd recommend Raw Power. One aspect of this app that I really appreciate is that it gives you access to Apple's raw pre-processing engine, similar to Apple Aperture back in the day.

For editing on iOS, I use Pixelmator Pro, Affinity Photo, Darkroom, and Snapseed. The first two listed are my most frequently used editors on my iPad.

For raw conversion on the iMac, take a look at darktable (steep learning curve), Raw Power, or Iridient Developer.

For editing on the iMac, I'd recommend Affinity Photo or PhotoLine. PhotoLine is a relatively unknown editor, but extremely powerful. For normal photo editing, PhotoLine can do nearly anything PS can do and, in some cases, is actually more powerful. For example, opacity of a layer can be set to >100%. Might not be all that useful to some, but I use it fairly often.

Hope this helps.

 

[radiant]

A vote to Affinity from me too. Really powerful apps for sure and also non-subscription price model.

Affinity Photo is also available for iPad https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/ipad/

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Not that I'm aware of.

For raw conversion on iOS, I'd recommend Raw Power. One aspect of this app that I really appreciate is that it gives you access to Apple's raw pre-processing engine, similar to Apple Aperture back in the day.

For editing on iOS, I use Pixelmator Pro, Affinity Photo, Darkroom, and Snapseed. The first two listed are my most frequently used editors on my iPad.

For raw conversion on the iMac, take a look at darktable (steep learning curve), Raw Power, or Iridient Developer.

For editing on the iMac, I'd recommend Affinity Photo or PhotoLine. PhotoLine is a relatively unknown editor, but extremely powerful. For normal photo editing, PhotoLine can do nearly anything PS can do and, in some cases, is actually more powerful. For example, opacity of a layer can be set to >100%. Might not be all that useful to some, but I use it fairly often.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, great details. Have looked at Affinity and this might be the way to go. I used to have their full suite of things (then still under plane Serif name) and they were always extremely competitive with any software in graphics world while nobody could compete with them price wise.

PhotoLine I need o check never heard of it.

I have iPad Pro coming, my first step moving to Apple. But preferably run same stuff on iPad and later on Macbook.

Darktable may be steep learning but looks pretty good, except no iOS support which is a bummer for my needs.

 

[Alan9940]

PhotoLine I need o check never heard of it.

Most folks never heard of it, but it's a very reasonably priced and very powerful photo editor. My only caveat to wholeheartedly recommending it is that their terminology takes some getting used to. For example, Levels is called Histogram Correction, Gradient is called False Color. It really only takes a short time to become familiar with the terminology, but thought I'd mention it.

I have iPad Pro coming, my first step moving to Apple. But preferably run same stuff on iPad and later on Macbook.

Yeah, I've heard the rumor that we may be able to run iOS/iPadOS apps "someday" on M1 Macs, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Yeah, I've heard the rumor that we may be able to run iOS/iPadOS apps "someday" on M1 Macs, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it.

Getting iPad Pro with M1 just in case there will be some convergence at Apple. If there isn't then I'm still looking at good enough set up for a long time, especially with my limited requirements. But if I can go with same software that does not iOS and macOS is good enough though and Affinity looks to give me that.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Closest thing to Lightroom is Capture One. Better color than Lightroom too. I have both. I use Lightroom for film and Capture One for digital.

 

[Dismayed]

DXO PhotoLab 5 just launched, and it's on sale. There are a number of package options, from basic RAW processing to a full photo editor with add-in features. There's also a free trial, so you can test to see if you like it.

https://www.dxo.com/dxo-photolab/

 

[Sirius Glass]

GIMP works well and is free.

 

[removed account4]

Have looked at Affinity and this might be the way to go.

Good luck with that.
They have abysmal customer service all the way to the Chief of Customer Relations. It is hard to imagine
why people with absolutely zero customer service skills would work either as a CS rep or the head of the department.

I would never use this program even if someone bought it for me.
paying the less than 1dollar a day to use the adobe package is well worth it ... if just only because their customer service is top notch.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Good luck with that.
They have abysmal customer service all the way to the Chief of Customer Relations. It is hard to imagine
why people with absolutely zero customer service skills would work either as a CS rep or the head of the department.

I would never use this program even if someone bought it for me.
paying the less than 1dollar a day to use the adobe package is well worth it ... if just only because their customer service is top notch.

Until there is no choice but go subscription, I will continue to seek other deals. Affinity seems to have excellent reputation when it comes to program itself and they've had that for as log as they exist. Never had to deal with their CS and important point here is that, I am not making a living from editing images, so some aspects of support hardly matter to me. I can see how it is important to those who rely on uninterrupted use with last minute updates being as critical. But I won't take this discussion into subscription benefits vs. deal or no deal.

Still I will say this: shame on Adobe for taking subscription only route. They could have easily maintained LR for those who liked it, supported it from day one, yet never liked the idea of being on a leash at all times.

 

[removed account4]

Never had to deal with their CS and important point here is that, I am not making a living from editing images, so some aspects of support hardly matter to me.

You are lucky you will never have to deal with them. As I said I am amazed how that company can have such people who are in charge of CS, it was like the "argument" and "abuse" room in a Monty Python sketch all wrapped into 1 phone call. They should be ashamed of themselves about how they treat people with genuine customer service issues.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Have you evaluated the editing capabities of the Apple "Photos" app that came with your Mac?

Do you work mostly with RAW files, or more often with JPEGs? (most editors can be used with either, but some may be better for RAW)

Do you tend to shoot older gear, or do you try to have more recent, up-to-date camera bodies? (some software companies will make their editors compatible with new cameras long before others)

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Follow up question to whichever editor is used: do you Apple pencil as THE control device for editing, or a mouse would be better? We are still talking iPad, not Macbook.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Still I will say this: shame on Adobe for taking subscription only route. They could have easily maintained LR for those who liked it, supported it from day one, yet never liked the idea of being on a leash at all times.

Why should they sell you a cow, when they can make more money charging you a monthly fee for milk?

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Why should they sell you a cow, when they can make more money charging you a monthly fee for milk?

This is directed at my post ? I said it before: anyone who wants to get milked it’s their choice and I retain rights to do my bitchn’ at times and places as convenient.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

This is directed at my post ? I said it before: anyone who wants to get milked it’s their choice and I retain rights to do my bitchn’ at times and places as convenient.

Yes, I was agreeing with you!

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Yes, I was agreeing with you!

Aha, I misread you a bit. Thanks.

 

[jvo]

After trying many options, I reluctantly came to Lightroom as I, too, am not a fan of a subscription service.

I quickly came to understand the power and value of Lightroom. I hate to say it but the design is excellent, it's algorithms superb, and features easy and effective. (Like anything worthwhile, there is a large learning curve!). The other options were either one step behind, or a less effective choice - at least in my use of them.

I still wish there was an option, but find the monthly payment easy-to-swallow!

 

[jeffreyg]

Check out On One Photo Raw. You can buy it or rent it and it's compatible with PS if desired. They have useful tutorials and good support. There is a 14 day free trial. I bought it years ago and have done upgrades and use it along with PS or as a stand alone.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

 

[Sirius Glass]

I won't rent no stinkin' software!

 

[winger]

I haven't seen anyone else mention On1. They do have an app, but I haven't used it. I've only used the full desktop version on my iMac. I think the iPad version is scaled down comparatively, but I don't know. I really like On1 for most of my regular editing. With scanned film, I prefer PS Elements. That isn't subscription and does have most of the controls that full PS has. On1 is kinda like LR plus PS with a few things probably missing. Since I don't use LR, I don't really miss most of them AFAIK.