Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom Subscriptions: Worth it?

Is Adobe holding up its end of the deal? Some folks *hate* subscription software, but if we break it down, is Adobe delivering the value to make a $10/month subscription worth the ongoing investment for Photoshop and Lightroom?

#photoshop #lightroom #adobe

[mountaindew]

As someone who pics up the camera once every couple of months for a family photo shoot or adventure, I absolutely despise the subscription model. I can't justify paying monthly for something I likely won't use for months at a time and I feel like it's kept me from progressing as an amateur photographer.

[BryanDorr]

Photoshop and Lightroom have been improving over the years. Adobe has various subscription packages with either Photoshop ($21/mo.) or Lightroom ($10/mo.) alone, or the PS and LR combo with two tiers of cloud storage (20 GB or 1TB). It depends on one's needs for photo editing. The best deal is PS & LR with 20 GB cloud storage. Only downside is there is no discount for annual subscription versus monthly like Adobe's Acrobat. The subscription accepts PayPal.

I remember having Photoshop CS2 that would last for years until the RAW updates were no longer supported when I bought new cameras.

[CMoDZD]

What's the storage about? Is that cloud storage? Can i save as much as i want on my system

[shawnleightcap]

Ive been using Lightroom CC 2019 without a subscription and fully functional for years now. Never had a subscription so Im not sure how its possible.

[hardimoto]

is this the advantage of the subscription? how was the new features being relay to the subscriber

[littleman]

I just need LrC and 20GB storage, but the only plan with LrC in is £19.97/mo. I despise this move towards subscriptions.

[gioortiz]

Adobes ‘Photography Plan’ includes LrC Lr and Ps with 20GB for $9.99 monthly. Is that the full version of Photoshop? Or does it have limited capabilities?

[gandolfred]

📌 Initially, the subscription model appeared on the Internet for services and for constantly renewed content. There, this model is appropriate, because: the user either constantly consumes the power and resources of the company, or receives valuable content or innovation again and again. The problem with Adobe is that it takes money for software that, firstly, I have locally and does not consume company resources, and secondly, Adobe does not provide me with something new and valuable every month. I don’t need their cloud because Google Drive provides 40 GB of space (2 times more) for free and I’m completely satisfied. Fixing software bugs and optimizing it, and then sending updates is their sacred duty and responsibility. These are their shortcomings and they must implement them at their own expense. So what do we have? We have a constant payment for no reason. This is a legalized system robbery of users. There isn't enough value and innovation every month, and I don't need the company's capacity. Therefore, they screwed the subscription model where it has no place. This is the main problem with Adobe. ⛔

[andrear]

Hello, does subscription means that if you stop paying it LR won't work anymore? Or will it stop being updated but still working? Thanks

[Buzza]

Are there any free decent alternatives that let you delete the background?

[Keith-nb]

I was using CS6 when Adobe went subscription only. I kicked against paying subscription a for YEARS! I bought other software but ultimately was never satisfied. Eventually I had a light-bulb moment. The subscription here in the UK (for what I want) was barely the cost of a monthly photo magazine, which I had no problem paying - so why was I resisting subscribing to the best editing software out there? (IMHO) And after all, this was / is the important side of my photography, not reading about it! So I signed up and have never looked back. PLUS I get much more than just Photoshop, and indeed now find that I use Lightroom Classic to edit my photos as well as Photoshop and Bridge. I think we are just wired to resist, and as mentioned, it's not that expensive - at least for my requirements. Best thing I ever did - well apart from getting into photography!

[imaginetheworldmedia]

Great recap of the Life of Adobe for Photographers. I think they are the best in the business. I subscribe to entire suite as just adding video editing pushes you closer to the $40/mo fee for all tools. I use TOPAZ tools, but refuse to clutter my desktop with more than those tools

[johnclarke]

subscription only makes us slaves! if you bought a system now you cannot update what you already paid for. Angry is too gentle a word. on a pension, I buy something to last, and am happy to pay for an upgrade. but not I would have to fork out £hundreds. Adobe now really suck. they just don't give a shit about the hobbyist. As as for putting my images on a cloud where AIs can steal them, - don't get me started