jasonverlen

About 6 months ago I came to the conclusion that Adobe was going in a direction I didn't want. I downloaded and started to learn Darktable. Took my time. Created a table in MS Word with LR actions i frequently use on the left and the DT method for doing the same thing on the right. DT has extensive Help on the web and many youtube videos - both of which helped. When I got to the printing stage I added Epson Print Layout (I use a p800). It works great and supports all the settings I need - ABW mode for black and white, platen gap, width, etc. Everything...and very easy to use. Bottom line: I love DT and EPL. Even if LR went back to desktop I wouldn't switch back. DT is more powerful and almost as easy to use...once you take a little time to get the hang of it. Much better masking, better color balance, better split toning...and that's for starters. Lots of stuff is just better. My freedom from the Adobe Lightroom Captive Cloud comes in 3 phases: Phase 1: All new photos are done in DT. No new photos started in LR. Achieved two weeks ago. Phase 2: All photos currently being edited in LR are completed. I have about 20 that are in process...I finish 2 a week...so i should be free by end of year or so. Phase 3: Convert all LR finished images to high res TIFF or JPG so that in future I can easily print them in EPL again if I want, or edit further in DT if I want. Obviously i can also edit the original image in DT anytime as well. I anticipate being done in February. If I can do this transition you can do it. No reason to pay a new utility bill for the rest of your life when there is a better alternative out there. Just be systematic in your approach, take your time, learn DT and EPL, and plan your transition as I have done.