Raw Converter with selective editing.

[popcorn]

Hi,
I have been waiting 15 odd years for Elements to introduce selective editing in ACR.
There is no sign that ever will happen. Its probably one of the reasons that photographers opt for Photoshop or lightroom.

I have half decided to go third party.
Franzis is offering an updated Silkypix developer, Silkypix Developer Studio Pro 10, which is a Japanese program, as a special for $39.

This offers a Raw converter and many other features.

Has anyone had a look at it? or has anyone a posible alternative?  

[Sepiana]

Hi popcorn,

I was not aware of it. I did a quick check and noticed this piece of information on their download page.

Update: Jul. 19, 2022

*There are no plans to upgrade this product. Please check the compatible cameras and OS before purchasing.

Speaking for myself, I would be leery of purchasing it.

[fotofrank]

There is a reason version 10 is being offered for that price, version 11 is their current version.

Did you find that this raw converter has selective edits, like you are looking for?

Elements and Photoshop selection tools have gotten much better over time. Using the selection tools to create mask on adjustment layers will provide very good results.

[popcorn]

Hi,
I apologise for the long delay in acknowledging, circumstances dictated otherwise.
Thank you both for your response.

Sepiana,
I am a sucker for any sales pitch that promises me better pictures.
In this instance, I took your advice and did not purchase it, although, but in the past I have bought a few of their other programs.
Always buying the previous version in "special sales"
I don't find them intuitive and am always left with the feeling that I am not realizing their full potential.
I have also not found much in the way of instruction tutorials or articles.

Frank,I struggle with making blending selection intersections to look "real"in Elements, even on A5 prints.
I also feel that processing in ACR gives me more scope and control over tonal elements than Elements does.

[Chris]

Popcorn, here is my 2c worth. Once you have done the main 16 bit RAW adjustments in ACR, then go into PS Elements to finish your editing as 8 bit. You will not lose much quality that way.


I am still using Lightroom 6 because I don't like subscription software. The downside is that I have to convert all my CR3 files to DNG before I can use it. 

If you are interested in a paid alternative to Lightroom, you might wish to download the free trial of On1 or ACDSee raw editors to decide if you like them. I own On1 Photo Raw 2023 but hardly ever use it. I find the graduated filters in Lightroom 6 far easier to use. I tried Luminar some years ago but found it very slow and buggy on my Windows pc. Maybe it has improved since then. I found the price of Affinity photo too high (About $179.99).


On1 Photo Raw ($96 sale price)
www.on1.com/products/photo-raw/

ACDSee  Photo Studio Home 2024 (About $50) It's cheap but very good value software because they are trying to break into the market. 
www.acdsee.com/en/products/photo-studio-home/

There are also some good free raw editors out there.
15 Best Free RAW Photo Editors in 2024

www.movavi.com/learning-portal/best-free-raw-photo-editor.html


Kind regards
Chris

[Lillias]

Feb 3, 2024 14:10:09 GMT Chris said:

I found the price of Affinity photo too high (About $179.99).

Re Affinity Photo - I can only speak for the UK but the whole suite of Affinity Programmes = that is to say - Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher and the iPad versions for all three Apps is quoted on their Store Site as £159.99.

Affinity Photo as a single purchase only costs £67.99.

affinity.serif.com/en-gb/affinity-pricing/

[BuckSkin]

I will cast my vote for DxO Photolab; I have version 2-3-1 and keep finding things about it that impresses me.

Affinity frequently sends me e-mails advertising on sale for $25; the only reason I haven't bought it is something to do with my debit card/bank does not allow international purchases, regardless of the price; I have tried to find a work-around with no success yet.

[Chris]

Feb 3, 2024 18:12:13 GMT Lillias said:

Feb 3, 2024 14:10:09 GMT Chris said:

I found the price of Affinity photo too high (About $179.99).

Re Affinity Photo - I can only speak for the UK but the whole suite of Affinity Programmes = that is to say - Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher and the iPad versions for all three Apps is quoted on their Store Site as £159.99.

Affinity Photo as a single purchase only costs £67.99.

affinity.serif.com/en-gb/affinity-pricing/

Thanks for the clarification Lillias. Yes, you are right. €179.99 is for the whole suite. Or €74.99 just for Affinity photo 2 for Windows which is about the same as the UK price.

Kind regards
Chris.

[Sepiana]

Feb 3, 2024 11:48:06 GMT popcorn said:

Jan 22, 2024 19:46:16 GMT fotofrank said:

Elements and Photoshop selection tools have gotten much better over time. Using the selection tools to create mask on adjustment layers will provide very good results.

Frank,I struggle with making blending selection intersections to look "real"in Elements

popcorn,

I quite agree with Frank. Elements has come a long way. Its selection tools have improved a lot. Give them a chance!

[popcorn]

Hi All,

Sepiana,

Its not Elements, its ME!

BuckSkin & Chris,
Thanks for the information, looks like I'm spoilt for choices.