Why Downloading Cracked Lightroom 2018 is a Bad Choice for Beginner Retouchers

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I prefer using the official version of the program rather than trying out my luck with Lightroom 2018 crack. As a photographer, I often use this 2018 version to refine client images, manage large galleries, and ensure that the resulting pics have a polished and pro-level look especially on my old laptop.
Although you may be tempted to download the cracked 2018 software for free, the downsides of such a venture exceed the short-term gain, especially for such an important tool in your workflow.
lightroom 2018 crack alert

Purchasing a licensed Lightroom has many pluses including timely updates, access to advanced tools like AI masking, and stable performance. Fellow photographers on Reddit often complain about crashes and corrupted files caused by Lightroom CC 2018 crack, as well as the risk of infecting PC with a malware. As a photographer who often has tight deadlines to meet, investing in a legitimate tool has been always a priority.

I have used an earlier Lightroom version and I’m familiar with the software's limitations. The performance, particularly with large image batches, was a major pain point in Lightroom CC 2015. Moreover, it lacked the innovative features introduced in subsequent versions, such as AI-powered auto-masking and customizable presets.

lightroom cc 2018 crack

The legal version of the program is a cutting-edge photo editing software that is quite popular among photographers and creators all around the world. As for me, this option is perfect for making social media posts and professional photo projects. But what is the difference between Adobe Lightroom 2018 crack and the legitimate version of the software?

A crack is a modified file that bypasses the software’s licensing system, allowing it to run without requiring payment or a valid subscription. While this may sound appealing at first, it’s important to note that using Lightroom 2018 crack is both illegal and risky. Cracked software often introduces bugs, disrupts normal functionality, and can even expose your computer to malware or viruses. In my experience, these issues outweigh any short-term savings.

Why Using Lightroom 2018 Crack is Bad?

Many people are in search of working ways to get this magical software for free, believing that this can cut out their expenses. However, downloading a pirated 2018 version of the software can affect the security of your PC, and your legal and financial well-being.

My colleagues and I tried out the pirated version of the tool to edit a complex wedding photo set and were annoyed by constant crashes, loss of unsaved edits, and color profiles not rendering properly. These are basically the most common problems you might face when using Lightroom 2018 crack.

adobe lightroom 2018 crack

Legal consequences. Using the pirated version of the editor is against the law in every country. The potential consequences of installing Lightroom 2018 crack are fines or even prosecution. For me, such a risk for the sake of saving a few dollars seems more than unreasonable.

Legal Example:

In 2019, a freelance photographer in Germany was taken to court by Adobe company for using and promoting cracked versions of their program, including Lightroom 2018. This person had edited client projects in the unlicensed tool, which became clear after a copyright compliance investigation. A high fine and the public admission of his wrongdoing were the penalties. This case demonstrates the legal risks and financial consequences of using pirated Lightroom 2018 or other Adobe products.

Risk of malware. As for me, digital security is more important than even the most sophisticated features. As a rule, the cracked program includes viruses, spyware, and other malware. If you don’t want to compromise your files or suffer from data theft or even a full crash of your PC, you’d better avoid Adobe Lightroom Classic CC 2018 crack. For example, my colleague Jeanette started receiving strange e-mail messages asking for her personal activation passwords.

No updates or support. If you are using a licensed program, you’ll get regular updates and access to Adobe’s technical support team. In the case of the Lightroom 2018 crack, the feature set of your program cannot be upgraded. For example, one of my fellows still didn’t know about Smart Albums or Generative Remove.

Moreover, the Lightroom 2018 crack doesn’t allow troubleshooting issues. This is really frustrating, especially when bugs and crashes hamper your work.

adobe lightroom cc 2018 fail

Unstable performance. Crashes, freezes, and slow functioning are common issues when using a pirated program. There have been cases when photographers lost hours of their editing work because of software failure. This is a serious problem.

Ethical considerations. Supporting program developers and companies is an ethical consideration. Adobe invests much time and resources into its product development. Using pirated software disrupts these efforts and takes away from the specialists who generate tools like Lightroom 2018.

As one of the developers of our application, I don’t want my work and knowledge to be unpaid and cracked.

Limited features. Very often, the cracked programs don’t offer all the tools and features that are available in the official software. For instance, some pirated copies miss such important features as cloud storage or advanced presets, which can seriously restrict your editing capabilities.

Compromised privacy. The cracked installation files often contain hidden trackers or backdoors that can expose your personal data to hackers. So, you should consider twice before risking your privacy for free Adobe software.

Free Alternatives

If you’re not ready to put money into professional software but want to avoid the risks associated with using the cracked program, you should check out some Adobe discounts or special offers like Creative Cloud Photography plan.

Over the years, I’ve tried out a few free programs with similar functionality. Although they cannot compete with the polished results delivered by Lightroom 2018, they can decently cope with different editing tasks. Here are three of my top choices.

Also known as the “free Lightroom”, Darktable offers a rich editing toolkit and excellent management capabilities. Like Lightroom 2018, it supports non-destructive editing workflow, can process RAW files, and has powerful image organization capabilities.

Lightroom users will find its module-based editing with tools like tone curves, color grading, and exposure adjustment familiar.

RawTherapee is another free alternative to Lightroom 2018 you should pay attention to. This tool will appeal to users who prioritize advanced RAW editing.

Like the Adobe product, the program processes files non-destructively, offering robust tools for correcting colors, sharpening, and adjusting lens distortion. Its UI is rather technical, which is great for photographers who like to fine-tune every detail.

As for me, Polarr is very similar to Lightroom Mobile for making quick edits and adjusting images creatively. So, this tool is an excellent option for both casual users and social media enthusiasts.

Like Lightroom 2018, it allows cropping pics, grading colors, adjusting exposure, as well as refining photos with customizable filters. However, the highlights of Polarr are simplicity and creativity.

Ann Young

Retouching Guides Writer

Ann Young is an expert photographer, retoucher, and writer with over 9+ years of working at FixThePhoto. Her career in digital community began after earning her degree from New York University. She believes AI can be a real helper if you know how to use it properly. Unlike many photographers, she isn’t afraid that AI tools can replace human experts in different spheres.

Read Ann's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

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