16 replies to this topic

[yor0715]

Hi Gang, I recently acquired photoshop (trial version). I was wondering whats your preference for editing software. I cant decide between lightroom and photoshop. Any feedback will be appreciated

[Adam]

Photoshop gives you more control and advanced tools, including layers, but doesn't offer the workflow benefits of lightroom.  I guess you might wish to consider the best of both worlds- but I guess it really depends on whether or not Lightroom's editing capabilities satisfy your needs.

[yor0715]

Thanks Adam

[nbanjogal]

This won't help, but I use both. LR handles the bulk of the editing I need to do. I use PS for final touches or very fine retouching.

[yor0715]

all information helps

 

Thanks Nicole

[RossCumming]

Like Nicole, I use both LR5 and PS CC and all  my processing is done in Lightroom. I only use Photoshop for a few things that either Lightroom cannot do (or do well) or because I don't know to do it in Lightroom! Typically, I use Photoshop only to remove annoying power lines etc (the "content aware" tool) and for creating a decorative frame for an image if needed. I also print from Photoshop rather than Lightroom - an old habit that I have not yet broken! I know PS CC is way over the top for my purposes but hey-ho, I have it and never say never in that maybe one day I will use it more in depth, play with layers, experiment with focus-stacking etc, but at the moment, I am not really into "creating" an image (in other words, creating a picture that doesn't actually exist), but more into staying as close to the original image as possible with only a few minor (in my mind) adjustments to remove any annoying artifacts (litter, power lines etc) or intensifying the light etc (all of which can be argued that I am going against my ethos of not "creating" an image that wasn't actually there!). I enjoy looking at other peoples images where they have "created" an image (an image that mere mortals like me cannot simply go out to the location, point the camera and capture the scene), but I don't have the PC time, desire, or the skills required to do this yet :-(

[yor0715]

Thanks Ross, I understand what you mean. I don't like to edit my photos or create photos that do not exist as you put it eiher.  For my purposes,  LR will be probably enough. Thanks for your feedback

[Mr_Leeman]

Lightroom is my number 1 go to straight fomr camera - all colour correction and basic enhancment done there, then if any major work is required - then it's of to photoshop. If you shoot Raw, I highly recomend lightroom. But if you're doing lots of retouching and advanced technical stuff - then photoshop.

 

Lightroom is cheap in comparison, so why not start there and if that doesn't suit your needs go for PS.

[Vamp2000]

Well if you are a good photographer,i recommend that you don't use any editing software. Take your time to adjust to the right setting when taking a photo do not rush if no the photo would not turn out nice. If you really want to use a editing software i would recommend you to use photoshop CS6 it helps a lot better in editing. Hope my comment was helpful!!

[yor0715]

thank you guys, I don't really like to edit my pics much so probably will get LR.

 

Cheers

[Eric Anderson]

Usually you can get the Lightroom and Photoshop in a bundle for a monthly fee. For the journalism classes I've taken, we don't add or take anything out of the photos. However as stated above there are a few things that can be done in Photoshop that can't in Lightroom, burning and dodging will often add that extra pop and draw your eye to a part of the photo. Many times I've gotten a shot and then got home only to realize something was a little off. So if you have the chance to bundle and can afford it try them both and see which you like best. Both have things that I prefer over the other.

[OTRTexan]

You can download and try lightroom and photo shop for a 30 day free trial. You can them rent them both fire 10 bucks a month which includes all updates.

[Kenafein]

Usually you can get the Lightroom and Photoshop in a bundle for a monthly fee. For the journalism classes I've taken, we don't add or take anything out of the photos. However as stated above there are a few things that can be done in Photoshop that can't in Lightroom, burning and dodging will often add that extra pop and draw your eye to a part of the photo. Many times I've gotten a shot and then got home only to realize something was a little off. So if you have the chance to bundle and can afford it try them both and see which you like best. Both have things that I prefer over the other.

You can burn and dodge in Lightroom 5.  And you can do non-destructive edits (similar to what you can do with layers).  I do almost all my editing in Lightroom, but I will occasionally pull out Photoshop.  Photoshop has a ton of powerful plugins and features, not that I am very good at using them.  

[Russ]

I shoot raw only. I do all my processing in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) which is part of Photoshop, and by all accounts, very similar to Lightroom (except for the digital asset management side of things). If I need to go further with the editing I then have the option of PS for swapping out closed eyes for open etc.

 

You can bulk-edit etc. in ACR too, copy and paste adjustment settings and so on.

 

I don't need the extra cataloguing abilities of Lightroom so I use PS only (which also includes Bridge for keywording and other stuff) so I get the editing capabilities of LR, plus the extra stuff PS has.

 

And I like ACR so much I also edit any jpgs in there too.

[harryg]

I am new to this game, what is the easiest to master, photo or lightroom and what is the best book for learning to use both of them.

 

cheers

 

 

[Merco_61]

PS has a bewildering amount of options. LR needs a lot of careful thought if you want to get as much as possible out of the asset management part. Neither is exactly tuned to the beginner as they are professional tools. That said, it can be done. The combination is cheap enough per month and they complete each other very well. Photoshop Elements is worth consideration for it's ease of use for the beginner.

Adobe's own Classroom in a book series is a good introduction, or Scott Kelby's books about each application for photographers if you can stand his brand of humour. They are well written, but I find them annoying.

[etphoto]

PS has a bewildering amount of options. LR needs a lot of careful thought if you want to get as much as possible out of the asset management part. Neither is exactly tuned to the beginner as they are professional tools. That said, it can be done. The combination is cheap enough per month and they complete each other very well. Photoshop Elements is worth consideration for it's ease of use for the beginner.
Adobe's own Classroom in a book series is a good introduction, or Scott Kelby's books about each application for photographers if you can stand his brand of humour. They are well written, but I find them annoying.

Well said. I use PhotoShop almost daily and I can tell you I scratch the surface on what it is capable of doing. The biggest thing PhotoShop has over LR (and the reason I'd never get rid of it) is LR can not do layers (at least I don't think it can).