Recommend Photo Management Software (Windows)

[Fl0und3rz]

Did a search here, and I did not come up with what I was looking for other than one IPhoto recommendation.

What I am looking for is a photo management program foremost, but one that makes sharing and/or printing as painless as possible.  It must be Windows based, relatively well maintained, and relatively low priced.  I don't mind paying a fair price, if I can find exactly what I am looking for, however.

First, I am not looking for the top of the line photo manipulation utilities (such as PhotoShop), because I have those bases covered for my needs.

I currently use a combination of Windows Photo Gallery (basic manipulation) (whatever shipped with Vista), GIMP (more advanced manipulation), manual management and communication/sharing of photos over email and Picasa.

I would have to share with a wide array of people from those who are near the forefront of technology usage (smartphones, social media, etc.) to people who believe that the Internet is a tool of Satan (so only Pony Express and stone carvings for them).

Intended uses or desired features (mostly in order of desire):

• Backup multiple different manufacturers of cameras (Nikon, Canon, and Sony) to a networked RAID array (over a network preferred);
• Version control that at least maintains the original file;
• Sharing photos with family, friends - so some sort of one-click or low-click integration with social media platforms (and/or photo printing sites) would be useful.  Platforms of interest are Picasa, Photobucket, other photo sharing sites, Facebook (don't do facebook but wife does), Twitter, etc.  Launching email app with links to posted photos would be ideal, but not necessary;
• Cross social media platform capability desired; Google Picasa is one option to consider, but I don't know if you are stuck with only Google+ as your only options to share;
• Multiple user platform (two user computers both backing up to same RAID array and dataset and able to manage same set of pictures - simultaneous management not required);
• Video also would be nice, but pictures are the primary intended use;
• I have a preference to support open source projects, but that is certainly not required;
• Basic photo manipulation utilities are fine if included, but not necessary.

What say the Hunt-Wa Borg?

Thanks in advance.

[Alchase]

I use Smugmug as my Photo sharing and storage location. They provide you the space and the interface, you decide how to display, share, or sell (I do not sell) from your Smugmug page.
I can allow anyone I want to have access to my photos, and what they are allowed to do with my photos.
Smugmug has a seem less plugin for export from Lightroom. And the Smugmug community has a ton of resources, tutorials, classes, and meet and greets.
The best part, Smugmug is secure!

[Whitpirate]

Picasa will get you where you want to go for easy/cheap/storage/social.

I just put it on 4400 desktops at work for that reason.

[Fl0und3rz]

Picasa will get you where you want to go for easy/cheap/storage/social.

I just put it on 4400 desktops at work for that reason.

Thanks for the recommendations. 

On picasa, I was an earlier user.  Here's a review of the latest.

www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334108,00.asp

However, as Google has become more like big brother every day sucking up all your data and using it how they please, and with their ever increasing coziness with the government, I am reluctant to give it access to ever more data.

I am going to look into some of the ones on this list (includes picasa).

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-photo-organizer.htm

[Bean Counter]

I use Lightroom 5 and I love it to death. I tried out Photoshop elements and hated it. I'm guessing I wouldn't care for CS6, either. LR5 is fast and easy for edits and well organized. Batch processing is pretty good as well.

MSRP is $150 but you can buy it any time for $125-135. A good sale price is $80, which I bought it for, but it can get as cheap as $50 if you have lots of time to hawk for a good sale. Adobe usually only permits retailers a day or two to sell it that cheap.

Try it free for 30 days.

[Wazukie]

 

I've been using LR for a few years now an really like it.