Eating Cake After the Adobe Apocalypse

©iStockphoto

Like a bad dream where I might see myself running off of a cliff, unable to flap my arms enough to fly, I've watched the photo retouching industry in the United States go from a lucrative specialty boutique to a cheap dollar store. Nevertheless, I've made a modest living in this field. However, Adobe's latest money-grab software rental scheme has certainly been a bloody crash into the ground.

I've watched countless photo retouchers—who were more skilled than myself—survive sundry rounds of layoffs at large companies and studios. Eventually they all got sacked.  I've watched them struggle to make it on there own (it ain't easy). I've watched them change careers at 40, 50 and 60+ years of age. It's been hell. So when I say I've made a modest living, I am being...well, modest!

We live on a very tight budget. Vacations are impossible. Debt accumulation is out of the picture. Eating out? If you mean eating in the front yard or patio, then yes. Cable television? Nope. Car? What's that? If you mean a bike, I own two! The gas mileage and insurance just can't be beat with a bicycle and a bus pass! We just don't believe in monthly payments for anything but utilities. We pay everything when the bill comes in. Software and hardware are not rented here. So when Adobe said I will no longer be able to upgrade their products without renting their software, I blew a gasket.

I have thus accepted it as fact and that I have hit the ground. So I will adapt—as many other users of Adobe Photoshop and other programs that have chosen to be rental-only.

There are many wonderful alternatives to Adobe Photoshop. Believe me, I'm going to spend much more time working with them when it comes to teaching photo restoration to me students. However, when it comes to working in CMYK, Lab and more obscure functions such as plate blending between RGB and CMYK color spaces, there are no alternatives on the market at this time. Adobe has it locked! They are the boss. They are god (little gee). They think they are god...for now. History is full of examples of might empires falling. Their time will come. Sooner than later, I hope.

Meanwhile, I've been pondering the future of Photo Grafix even deeper. I will not compromise and give in to Adobe. So that means I'm stuck with obsolete versions of their software. I predict those of us who keep the same obsolete software and hardware will have at least 5 years of running it into the ground. That should give me plenty of time to make a necessary transition teaching only—or working exclusively with clients who use an RGB digital camera workflow.

I may not be able to have my cake and eat it too. However that goes just as much for Adobe.

Adobe Ripping Off Customers

Elf Steals the Wine by Art Explosion

This month, Adobe—the company that creates programs such as Photoshop—has announced that customers will no longer be able purchase licenses to use their software. Instead, customers will need to "subscribe" to their slightly buggy software after versions CS6.



First of all, a subscription is a misnomer. When you subscribe to a magazine, does the publisher go to your house and demand you return the issues you read over the years? No, this is a money hustle. It is a renting service. We rent a movie and it must be returned (or rights to play it are revoked).

Second, most of us honest folk who pay for the software over the years, don't always upgrade. I don't upgrade until I must—due to operating system requirements or special features. Adobe's $20/month renting fee gives me a bunch of programs I don't need and leaves me over $200 broke at the end of the year. I'm a small, small business. EVERY penny I earn must be used carefully.  Also, I don't need all those other programs.

I can go on and on. I suggest you see the firestorm of comments on their blog and Facebook page. Be sure to share your opinion on those pages (and mine, as some have done). You should also sign this online petition to let them know about your dissatisfaction (if you're dissatisfied).

Adobe has made a terrible mistake. Maximizing customer service, not profits, make a business successful. Give your customers a choice. Don't FORCE them into what you want to sell. It NEVER works. You'll gain short-term profits and long-term resentment! Adobe Cloud has brought nothing but a storm of protest—especially from small businesses that have loyally stood by them for the past 20 years.

The wisest move would be to offer both perpetual and rental licensing of their software. Fine. Dump the DVDs and boxes for downloadable software only (that's a huge burden on our environment with pollution and plastic waste). But forcing all customers to rent their software will cause a substantial loss of loyal customers and—thankfully—more opportunities for competitors to grow.

I encourage my students and customers to re-assess alternatives to Adobe Photoshop such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Paintshop Pro, ACDSee, Pixelmator, Gimp and others. Comment with your experiences and alternative recommendations please. I will warn those of you who require CMYK, Lab and other color space conversion functions—such as myself—the alternatives are non-existent. Yes, GIMP has a plug-in, however, I have found it very difficult to install and use (hopefully that will change). CMYK is the primary deal-breaker for me.

Below are responses from some Photoshop competitors—and other companies—regarding the Adobe rental service:

Pixelmator says they want your business and will not make you a software sharecropper:

Corel says subscription or perpetual license: You should have a choice (but what about Apple computer users?). FYI, they don't mention their highly underrated, fanstastic Photoshop alternative, PaintShop Pro. Imagine a Photoshop like program for only $60. That's Corel.

Microsoft sympathizes with with little people, but arrogantly states that we, the customer, are "not yet ready" for the subscription model. Well, la-dee-da! Typical giant corporation haughtiness.

Don't forget to sign this online petition to let Adobe know your opinion about the rental scheme.

New Book for 2013

Art Explosion

It has been over 5 years since I wrote a book. However, I've never written a book like the one residing as various megabytes on my main hard drive. By now, those of you who own my Photo Restoration Basics course understand I am a big fan of allegory and deep thought. Truly, how "deep" can you get with manipulation of pixels? Regardless, it's going to be interesting for some and an absolute bore for others. Stay tuned for more in the coming months.

Time and Photo Retouching

Art Explosion

If you aren't careful, you can get overwhelmed with photo retouching and restoration. With a giant collection of scanned images, images not yet scanned and organization, it's enough to keep you from ever getting started—or finishing.

Set calendar alert or timer for 15 minutes per day (or 15 minutes one day per week). Do something. You'll keep yourself busy, your skills sharp and you'll feel good about yourself.

When I'm working on multiple projects for clients, this is the only way I can get anything done. It looks overwhelming on my calendar. However, just by following the cue to start and setting a timer, the difficulty factor just melts away!

Photo and Scanning Workshops for FGS 2013

Fort Wayne, Indiana is the place to be in 2013!

It was only 2 years ago when I had the privilege to present three packed workshops for the Federation of Genealogical Societies in Springfield, Illinois. Well, I'm back! However, this time we'll be in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

During the week of August 21-24, I am scheduled for three workshops. One of the workshops, Friday's "Scanning+Image Editing+Placement" is already sold
out! But two of the workshops are still open, and you might want to register now for Friday's "Image Organization Made Easy," or my classic workshop, "Scanning 101" on Saturday. You can register for the FGS conference and sign up for those classes now

• F-319 Image Organization Made Easy Friday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  
• S-419 Scanning 101 Saturday 11:00 a.m. To 12:00 p.m.

As in 2011, I also plan to record the presentations. However, nothing beats being there in person! By the way, you can still indulge in my classes from FGS 2011 at the Photo Grafix YouTube Channel.

Also, we are set up with a table in booth 221 of the Exhibit Area right behind Fun Stuff For Genealogists.  Download this Photo Grafix Purple Elephant COUPON for $10 off any purchase of my fun Photo Restoration and Retouching Foundations course or video tutorials. There's a catch: This coupon is only good for the the FGS conference and you must bring it in person. Click here if you have trouble printing from the coupon image below and use your browser's print button for your copy.

Your FGS 2013 Coupon

Please support the great work of the Federation of Genealogical Societies supporting the preservation of pensions from the oft-forgotten United States War of 1812.