I'm not a software expert*, so don't ask me questions and expect answers, but I wanted to pass along the news that Bridge 2024, Adobe's DAM (digital asset management) application, is reportedly available as a free download—the full, standalone version, without subscription fees ever. Here's the link; the download tab is at the top of the page. But investigate on your own...I haven't verified it because I use the subscription version of Photoshop and got the upgrade that way.
Just passing this along.
—Mike
*Understatement.
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I’ve always been quite happy with Lightroom. Ok, its subscription only, but if you follow a DNG workflow you should be able to migrate your images to another product (fingers crossed) if necessary
As well as cataloguing stuff via IPTC, EXIF, XMP I like the ability to save processed versions and output/print variations for future reuse
Posted by: Richard Tugwell | Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 11:57 AM
Thanks, Mike! Downloaded. The last thing I need is another damn program, but I miss Irfanview from Windows and I need something more polyglot than Lightroom.
Not surprised that it's free. It's a slick marketing move. I bet it's easy to order stuff from the UI.
Concerned what info is being sent to Adobe and how useful it is, really, for a non-CC-user, and how intrusive the marketing is. I'll report anything notable.
Posted by: robert e | Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 01:13 PM
Hi Mike,
Bridge was always bundled with Photoshop on the CD/DVD when you brought it in the past then when Adobe went to the subscription model most people did not notice that it was free. It turns out it was always free we just did not notice it because of how Adobe distributed it. Now if you have an Adobe account you can download it for free.
I am now going to be cheeky here as I work for DxO as their UK Product Liaison. DxO are the makers of the excellent PhotoLab7 and The Nik Collection. I would suggest that you use Adobe Bridge as it is free and not subscription based, then if you want a licensed version of a great Raw convertor download the trial of DxO PhotoLab7 and give it a go. If you like it then please buy it, if not then at least you have tried it at no cost.
Michael
Posted by: Michael Wayne Plant | Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 01:13 PM
Thank you for the link but I do all of that and more from the Open Source application Another RawTherapee (ART currently version 1.20.2) which can be found here: https://bitbucket.org/agriggio/art/wiki/Home
I originally went to Capture One when Adobe went subscription and then when they chose to go subscription as well I went to open source. The bigest irony is that post processing is easier for me and my photos have improved rather drastically with each change.
I find ART does everything I need to process my RAW files from my Nikon or Leica digital cameras (or Pentax should I give in to that temptation... ) without the cost of a subscription. On the rare occasion an actual editor is called for, perhaps twice a year for me, GIMP suffices.
That however is what works for me. It does not imply it works for anyone else! And hopefully, this will help others with their needs.
Posted by: William Lewis | Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 06:09 PM
In ref to Michael W Plants comment;
DxO Photolab 7 has two things that once experienced, you just can no longer live without. And to my knowledge, nobody else has them so seamlessly implemented.
1. Super simple perfect colour, provided one of your images in a series has a photo of a Colorchecker Classic/Passport or similar. Important even for B&W conversions in post.
2. Their Deep Prime noise/image correction quite literally turns an unusable raw image into a great print. Like actual real magic. Would sir like a 3 stop upgrade to ever camera he owns?
3. No ongoing payments. You buy it. That's it. I just can't abide paying endlessly. Rent is dead money.
Posted by: Kye Wood | Sunday, 19 November 2023 at 06:27 PM
I'm going to date myself--but I miss iView. Thanks Microsoft... (grrrr).
Posted by: Jim Kofron | Monday, 20 November 2023 at 09:43 AM
I used to use Bridge, in some half remembered past. Once I got LR (now LR Classic), I stopped. It's free, why did I stop?
Quick check, nope, Bridge doesn't have a Maps function. I have geocoded my photos since 2004. I can go into LR's Maps Mode, select a place, and see all the photos I've taken there. I can select them, put them in a collection, etc.
I'm flaky as a keyworder, so location is a major way to find images I want.
What else? So I read a handful of comparisons and —
"Lightroom’s advantage is that you can double click to view a single image within Lightroom – whereas in Bridge it will open the image in Photoshop instead. "
AHA! Aside from maps, there are other pros and cons, but that's the deal for me. In LR, I can compare (and rate) many similar shots @ fill screen and/or 100%, all in LR, all speedy.
Example: I shoot a fair number of focus stacks. I can zip through them in PR, @ deepest subject point, dump the ones where focus has gone too far, and export the rest into Helicon Focus, in moments.
It's similar for bursts with OLy's Pro Mode for birds, insects, etc.
Opening all those in PS would be a huge pain.
Perhaps Bridge is free 'cause that's what it's worth? I actually prefer FastStone Image Viewer, which is also free. Again, I can view things up to 100% right in the app.
Posted by: Moose | Monday, 20 November 2023 at 05:52 PM
In ref to Kye Wood's comments on Michael W Plants comment:
DxO Photolab's Deep Prime noise/image correction is really good. Head to head with Topaz NR and Sharpen AI apps, it usually loses, on my photos, to my eyes, although often not by much.
Apply distortion correction in LR/ACR to WA images — and watch some edge detail disappear, cropped out of the official pixel dimensions of the image. DxO PL has the option to let image size expand, and keep the whole image. A real photo saver if/when I am foolish or constrained to frame too tight.
As I only carry a WhiBal CC sized card in my wallet, I find the WB dropper in LR/ACR does a good job with WB.
Posted by: Moose | Monday, 20 November 2023 at 06:05 PM
No Adobe DAM for me. Key wording, captioning, dating and facial ID & location, give me all I need to locate pictures. My Photos library is also searchable on objects like car, bridge, horse, cow, & I can make smart albums as well.
Posted by: Hugh LOvell | Tuesday, 21 November 2023 at 01:01 PM