This website or its third-party tools use cookies which are necessary to its functioning and required to improve your experience. By clicking the consent button, you agree to allow the site to use, collect and/or store cookies.
This site requires cookies to work. Please click the consent button to view this website.
I accept
Deny cookies Go Back

Focus Photo School

  • Lightroom Tutorials
  • Photoshop Tutorials
  • Snapseed Tutorials
  • Login
  • BUY

Choosing The Right Photo Storage Program – 2021 Edition

There are lots of excellent photo storage programs on the market today for the prosumer level photographer. The video below is intended for those who are looking for a way to organize and fine-tune their raw images using some type of computer. The advice here is intended for serious photographers only and the programs mentioned in this post are not the right solutions for those who are ready to work with a smartphone or tablet only.

In the video above, I talk briefly about two photo storage programs that do not require an annual subscription. ON1 Photo RAW is my top pick for those who are seeking a solid image management tool, with excellent image editing capabilities, that is available as a one-time purchase. On1 Photo Raw is one of the strongest competitors out there for the traditional industry leading Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic / Adobe Photoshop software combination.

On1 Photo Raw Logo

Luminar from the Skylum software company is arguably the most innovative photo editing programs on the market today. Luminar’s image organizing tools are not nearly as robust as the ones that these other programs offer but many of Luminar’s AI image enhancement features are jaw dropping. Like On1 Photo Raw, Luminar is available as a one-time purchase for those who want to avoid the recurring costs involved in Adobe subscription only software licensing model.

Luminar From Skylum Logo

Although I am very impressed with both On1 Photo Raw and Luminar from Skylum, this discussion would be incomplete without a deep dive into the differences between the two image organizing programs that Adobe offers: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic and Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based.) Both varieties of Lightroom are available only to those who are willing to pay for an annual software subscription.

Although both of Adobe’s photo storage programs share the name “Lightroom” they are very different animals and they are not meant to be used together. The program that is called Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic has been the industry leader in photo storage for almost a decade but it has always had a long learning curve.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Logo

While Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is not easy to master, this program currently offers the most variety of functions. With Lightroom Classic you can make books, slideshows, time lapse videos, and fine art color-managed prints using your own inkjet printer. All Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic subscriptions also include Adobe Photoshop which remains the most powerful program out there for precision pixel-by-pixel image refinement and photo compositing.

If you choose to use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic then you are one-hundred percent responsible for designing your own image storage and backup plans. Building your own image storage system is advantageous for someone who has hundreds of thousands of digital images or limited internet connectivity. Using your own hard drives for home data storage is very inexpensive but with this flexibility comes added complexity.

Something very different happens if you decide to use the Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) program. If you choose to use this type of Lightroom then all of your images will be uploaded and stored on Adobe’s servers for you. Letting Adobe manage your photo storage and backup is much easier but this program currently lacks a few of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic’s organizational tools and all of Lightroom Classic’s additional features like book creation or home inkjet printing controls.

Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) Logo

What Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) does not lack, however, are any of Adobe’s top-notch raw image processing tools. Both types of Lightroom are almost identical when it comes to raw image enhancement. In addition, with Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) you can also edit your images from any internet connected device anywhere in the world. On1 Photo Raw offers similar features but so far Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) is the leader when it comes to processing your images using just a web browser or tablet.

The fundamental message here is that photo storage, and initial raw image editing, is not a “one-size fits all” kind of problem. Each of these tools has their own strengths and weaknesses.

If you are just getting started then I suggest that you take a few weeks and experiment with each of these options. Play around with the free trial versions of these programs. Do some research before you commit and see which of these fantastic options is the right choice for you!

Related Tutorials:

  • Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) vs. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic
  • How To Install Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) For The Brand New User
  • How To Install Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic For The Brand New User
  • How To Move From Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic To Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based)

Filed Under: Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Beginner Tagged With: Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, Photography

« How To Add A Graphic Watermark In Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based)
Improve Your Landscape Photography With Adobe Lightroom Examples »

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with us!

New Lessons:

  • Choosing The Right Photo Storage Program - 2021 Edition (Added on February 6, 2021)
  • How To Open The Right Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Catalog Every Time (Added on February 1, 2021)
  • How To Add A Graphic Watermark In Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) (Added on December 23, 2020
  • How To Use The Enhanced Zoom Tool In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic (Added on December 23, 2020)
  • How To Use Color Grading In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic (Added on November 25, 2020)
  • How To Shoot Stunning Sunrises & Sunsets - Live Presentation (Added on November 20, 2020)
  • How To Upgrade Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Version 10 (October 2020 Edition) (Added on November 2, 2020)
  • How To Create Presets In Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based) (Added on September 29, 2020)
  • From The Adobe Lightroom For Mobile App To Adobe Photoshop For iPad Pro (Added on September 23, 2020)
  • How To Edit Adobe Lightroom For Mobile Photos With Other Apps (iOS) (Added on September 21, 2020)
  • How To Make A Folded Greeting Card In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic (Added on September 1, 2020)

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Blog Posts

  • Improve Your Landscape Photography With Adobe Lightroom Examples
  • Choosing The Right Photo Storage Program – 2021 Edition
  • How To Add A Graphic Watermark In Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based)
  • How To Shoot Stunning Sunrises & Sunsets Live Presentation
  • How To Upgrade Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic Version 10 (October 2020 Edition)
  • How To Create Presets In Adobe Lightroom (Cloud-Based)

FOCUS PHOTO SCHOOL

What will you focus on? Whether you want to be a photographer or just love taking pictures, learn what you need with our courses in photography from Lightroom to Mobile Photography. Learn More
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Refund Policy
Terms of Service

All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2016 - 2019 Focus Photo School

© 2021 Focus Photo School · Rainmaker Platform