Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
You sound just like my Wife when she's got the $h!ts up with me for some reason
But yeah, whatever works for you.
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Pixelmator purchased by Apple
- Thread starter CharlesH
- Start date
But yeah, whatever works for you.
pdk42
Moderator
She has my sympathiesYou sound just like my Wife when she's got the $h!ts up with me for some reason
CharlesH
LMF-Patron Gold
I started this thread to ask if anyone has experience with Pixelmator. So far it seems like not very much.
I did end up buying it from the Mac App Store. My initial view is that it is pretty capable, but is another interface to learn. Apple has their own RAW converters for most every camera, and Pixelmator generally uses these. But Apple does not have a RAW converter yet for the S9, so Pixelmator has their own. I tried this, as well as working in HDR, and it functioned okay. I doubt I'll do a more comprehensive review unless it gets to the point I use it a lot more. Or if Apple has new innovations with Pixelmator.
In the mean time Adobe continues to innovate, and have just introduced Adobe Adaptive Profile. So far this is only available with Camera Raw for Photoshop, but I expect it will move over to Lightroom. It is an AI method to look at a photo and make changes to exposure, shadows, highlights, color mixer, and curves - as a starting point before editing a photo (you use it in place of Adobe Color Profile). I've been looking at it for wide dynamic range photos, and this has taken any available time I have to explore alternate photo editing approaches.
I did end up buying it from the Mac App Store. My initial view is that it is pretty capable, but is another interface to learn. Apple has their own RAW converters for most every camera, and Pixelmator generally uses these. But Apple does not have a RAW converter yet for the S9, so Pixelmator has their own. I tried this, as well as working in HDR, and it functioned okay. I doubt I'll do a more comprehensive review unless it gets to the point I use it a lot more. Or if Apple has new innovations with Pixelmator.
In the mean time Adobe continues to innovate, and have just introduced Adobe Adaptive Profile. So far this is only available with Camera Raw for Photoshop, but I expect it will move over to Lightroom. It is an AI method to look at a photo and make changes to exposure, shadows, highlights, color mixer, and curves - as a starting point before editing a photo (you use it in place of Adobe Color Profile). I've been looking at it for wide dynamic range photos, and this has taken any available time I have to explore alternate photo editing approaches.
pdk42
Moderator
Sorry to have turned it into an Adobe subscription argument!
Charles, you had me researching and I discovered there also is a separate Photomator app more akin to Lightroom whereas Pixelmator is more akin to Photoshop with layer editing etc.
It's weird there isn't much clarity (excuse the pun) surrounding the capability of these other software. Even the Photomator pricing is missing from the Mac store only stating in-app purchases. There is a 7 day trial so I may try it as YouTube reviews etc. are largely uninformative with just 20 mins of extreme boredom or even worse tutorials.
In general the Photomator interface looks good, it now has a full file browser..
Wow wee hurrah but it general it probably isn't as fully featured as LR, no S5 camera listed and no idea of the lens database.
I can understand why Paul and others don't want to change, it's a mud pit of mirk looking for an alternative and possible good time wasted.
I'd like to use something different, I only got the LR cloud based app this time around which is crap on Mac, mobile app is OK, even though it's only £3.50/month I hardly use it and in general live by a zero subscription ethos. Before I got LR classic for £4 for an entire year using VPN trickery.
I also do not like the bloatware or privacy and security concerns surrounding Adobe and have zero need for their cloud as I'm anti-cloud
Judging by videos Photomator looks very efficient on M1, the typical zero-lag performance, NR looks good as does the super resolution all seemingly instantaneous.
I'm thinking now that Apple have it they could definitely make it a killer photo app, they have the skills to better Adobe LR and no better opportunity to do it promoting their hardware, neural engine and AI hype.
I'll do a trial of Photomator (not Pixelmator) and update my thoughts compared to LR classic. Trust me the LR cloud app is sh1t but regardless at least LR mobile is on Android, Pixelmator won't be but that's how they draw you into accompanying iPhone ownership when they make the iPhone app excellent also.
Maybe Adobe will have to change tactics if it loses it's somewhat monopoly.
LumixLab implementation of RAW editing could also go a long way, isn't this in the pipeline? That would be a boon for buying Lumix. Basic RAW editing goes a long way, I'm not a hugely manipulative photo editor.
It's weird there isn't much clarity (excuse the pun) surrounding the capability of these other software. Even the Photomator pricing is missing from the Mac store only stating in-app purchases. There is a 7 day trial so I may try it as YouTube reviews etc. are largely uninformative with just 20 mins of extreme boredom or even worse tutorials.
In general the Photomator interface looks good, it now has a full file browser..
Wow wee hurrah but it general it probably isn't as fully featured as LR, no S5 camera listed and no idea of the lens database.
I can understand why Paul and others don't want to change, it's a mud pit of mirk looking for an alternative and possible good time wasted.
I'd like to use something different, I only got the LR cloud based app this time around which is crap on Mac, mobile app is OK, even though it's only £3.50/month I hardly use it and in general live by a zero subscription ethos. Before I got LR classic for £4 for an entire year using VPN trickery.
I also do not like the bloatware or privacy and security concerns surrounding Adobe and have zero need for their cloud as I'm anti-cloud
Judging by videos Photomator looks very efficient on M1, the typical zero-lag performance, NR looks good as does the super resolution all seemingly instantaneous.
I'm thinking now that Apple have it they could definitely make it a killer photo app, they have the skills to better Adobe LR and no better opportunity to do it promoting their hardware, neural engine and AI hype.
I'll do a trial of Photomator (not Pixelmator) and update my thoughts compared to LR classic. Trust me the LR cloud app is sh1t but regardless at least LR mobile is on Android, Pixelmator won't be but that's how they draw you into accompanying iPhone ownership when they make the iPhone app excellent also.
Maybe Adobe will have to change tactics if it loses it's somewhat monopoly.
LumixLab implementation of RAW editing could also go a long way, isn't this in the pipeline? That would be a boon for buying Lumix. Basic RAW editing goes a long way, I'm not a hugely manipulative photo editor.
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Not really, we have different uses and views. Some people accept subscription, others don't like them. It does need more competition and as I said above hopefully it is coming soon.
The privacy and security issues are important, I'm no Apple fanboy but they are good (or much better) this way.
inspiredtimothy
Active Member
I'm curious what prompted the switch from Capture One to Iridient? How are you liking it in comparison?
I was using Fujifilm cameras at the time and found that Iridient Developer produced results that I liked better than Capture One, plus it has a more comprehensive set of controls for modifying shadows, highlights and colour which I find useful. I kept on using Iridient when I switched to the S5 and then found that it produced far better results than anything else I've tried for the fp L: Apple's default profile for that camera is awful.
Exactly what I was saying before, it's all a big mess and if people are happy with LR or others it's a cesspool of unknown.
Most including myself can't be bothered just want to do the photography and not worry about such issues. That's why Adobe have their monopoly as they have the best product. Usually the reaction to alternatives is mehhhh no. It's weird how this has happened without s real competitor.
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
I'd try Pixelmator, but as far as I can see it's Apple only. And I own no Apple hardware.
At the risk of getting sidetracked, again, I'm at a loss to understand why there's not more higher quality Android/Chrome editing apps. Adobe seems to be about the only one making any sort of effort that I can see. And I don't want to go down that road. I reckon it's a huge lost opportunity to get people in at the ground level, tonnes of schools use Chromebooks as their default computer system, Android is the worlds most used operating system, why no one has really done anything much in that arena is a mystery to me.
At the risk of getting sidetracked, again, I'm at a loss to understand why there's not more higher quality Android/Chrome editing apps. Adobe seems to be about the only one making any sort of effort that I can see. And I don't want to go down that road. I reckon it's a huge lost opportunity to get people in at the ground level, tonnes of schools use Chromebooks as their default computer system, Android is the worlds most used operating system, why no one has really done anything much in that arena is a mystery to me.
pdk42
Moderator
What monopoly? There are at least a half dozen serious competitors, with DxO, Capture One, Affinity, and Luminar being very serious. It’s about as far from a monopoly as I can imagine!
You can get free trial versions of all the competition and try them out to see which you like.
The whole point of RAW for me is to get the best results I possibly can, so taking the time to find a RAW processor that I get on with and that produces results I like is a necessary evil.
Adobe have been there right from the start and became the default choice for professional work. That's no longer true since, as Paul has said, there are plenty of alternatives and some of them are very good indeed. Last time I was looking at the various alternatives the only thing that stopped me from switching to DxO was their lack of support for Fujifilm's x-trans sensors, but that's been solved now, plus I've seen plenty of Sigma fp L owners using DxO and producing great results. But right now I'm perfectly happy with Iridient Developer and see no reason to change.
pdk42
Moderator
As an aside, I started off using RawShooter from Pixmantec back when I started in digital photography. I switched to Bible for a while since it was way ahead of RawShooter. Then Adobe bought RawShooter and sometime later renamed it to Lightroom. Meanwhile Bible slowly went bust with undelivered promises on v.5 that seemed never to arrive (and no subscription model to give them any revenue). They did eventually deliver v.5 but it was too late to save them. They got "bought" by Corel in a fire-sale who re-launched it as AfterShot Pro, but Corel's interest in it seems to be near zero so it's now one of the weaker packages on the market.
Meanwhile, I forgot to mention On1 - another very serious competitor. Frankly, rather than there being a monopoly, I think there are more offerings out there than the market can reasonably sustain.
Meanwhile, I forgot to mention On1 - another very serious competitor. Frankly, rather than there being a monopoly, I think there are more offerings out there than the market can reasonably sustain.
Nevyn72
LMF-Patron Gold
Affinity is bought by Canva some months ago, making them the one which has the most money behind them. They did state that it will stay a perpetual license, what I hope but we will see. Canva itself does have a subscription model.
But for now, as someone who has promised himself NEVER to use Adobe products again, I'm happy with Affinity Photo.
I DO expect that a LR equivalent will come soon from them, that's what still is missing.
What I Really would love is a photo edit program what has the usability of the colorpage in Davinci Resolve.
I like it so much that often I will import a photo in the timeline of Davinci Resolve, edit it in the colorpage and than just export a still.
Works as charm for me
pdk42
Moderator
I'm curious as to why you feel this way.
Nevyn72
LMF-Patron Gold
- the pricing is ridiculous (I'm a developer, or more a manager of developers, I know about how modern software development is done, and how much it costs to develop).
- Photoshop, LR look decent, but Premiere Pro is subpar in comparison with DaVinci Resolve. People who think they can do the same, have to do a few (FREE) zoom courses with Blackmagic Design to find out how much it really can do.
- Premiere Pro is very buggy, it crashes a lot more than DR.
- when I cancelled my subscription, they gave me 'a penalty' of several months worth of 'subscription'.
Check also this:
Or this:
So no more Adobe for me...
Why didn't you block their theft from your bank account? I blocked them without cancelling
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
I gave them a try, kept freezing and shutting down on my computer, losing all the editing work up to that point. E-mailed them, sent in logs, error reports etc, they couldn't resolve the issues.
Similar story with Adobe, with their purple haze issue when lifting exposure with the G9. Ignored and swept under the carpet, giving the G9 a bad rep for IQ for a long time, right when it hurt it most, near release.
Compare that to Silkypix, which had a slow start-up issue from memory at one point, e-mailed them, they got back within hours with a temporary fix, and kept all user's updated with the progress on a permanent solution.
Pete_W
LMF-Patron
I remember that, and the Olympus fanbois on DPR regularly trotted it out as 'proof' that their cameras were better for years after. They still do.
Great, John!! I have to try DaVinci Resolve Studio to edit photos.
I am doing an online course about DaVinci Resolve, but have no reach the colorpage yet...
Here is a blog entry about it:
Editing photos in DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is not just a video editing software but one of the best color grading solutions at the moment and, moreover, one of the commonly accepted standards in the whole industry. It is als…
blog.dehancer.com