There are a few problems, though. I already own Photoshop and Lightroom, the programs I need. I got them for way below $1200, and way below $600 because of student discounts. Upgrading them isn't necessary at this time since they do what I need, and dropping a few hundred just for some new bells and whistles doesn't make sense. But, now, if I want to upgrade, I'm dropping $360 (student discount) for the first year, then $600 a year for the rest of my life.
And make no mistake, it's $600 a year, not $50 a month. Adobe makes you sign up for a one year contract, so you're dropping $600 that's spread out. And if I ever decide to stop paying that $600 a year? I have nothing If I've been using Photoshop for say, 3 years, then things turn south and I have to give up the subscription to help ends meet, I have nothing. For freelancers, that means your business dropping out over night.
There's been a ton of backlash at this, and I can rightly see why. If you're graduating from college and plan on being a graphic designer or photographer, that could mean $12,000-$18,000 to Adobe over the course of your career. That's like buying the full Creative Suite every two years. Which, considering I know people using Photoshop from 4 or 5 years ago or longer, doesn't really happen.
To say I'm wary of the new Adobe service is a bit of an understatement.