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10/26/2007 04:49:11 PM · #1 |
| I suck when it comes to editing my photos, no matter how many adobe photoshop books I get, I still have truoble in Adobe photoshop. I was thinking of trying Adobe Lightroom or Aperture. Do you think they are easier, but just as robust? Thanks |
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10/26/2007 04:53:29 PM · #2 |
With Adobe Lightroom will still need Adobe Photoshop for certain techniques.
Lightroom is good especially if you want to look at all your photos at once to pull and cull the best ones to transfer to Photoshop for processing, not sure where Aperture stands though. Lightroom does have some basic controls if you don't like to edit too much. Especially good program if you normally shoot RAW.
Photoshop elements might be a better substitute. |
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10/26/2007 04:54:22 PM · #3 |
| Lightroom is like Camera RAW with different interface but same controls. Add web, print, browse and view modules. |
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10/26/2007 04:57:18 PM · #4 |
It also depends on how much post-processing you want to do. If you're going to get into dodging/burning, selective editing, removing elements etc. then you'll need to learn something like Photoshop.
However, if all you want to do is adjust colour/contrast, perhaps red-eye correction, maybe some simple effects filters and crop/resize then something like (free) Picasa might be more suitable. |
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10/26/2007 04:58:35 PM · #5 |
| You might want to take a look at YouTube for photoshop tutorials. I'm one of those people that need to see an example to understand how to do it so, I use it often. |
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10/26/2007 06:05:14 PM · #6 |
If you are doing batches of RAW, sure it's worth it. If not, your money may be better spent on a Photoshop course. New York Institute of Photography has one. I believe, as do most colleges and camera clubs.
But there is no Lightroom vs. Photoshop. They are two entirely different tools. FWIW, CS3's Camera RAW will do everything Lightroom will do for your photo.
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10/26/2007 06:26:16 PM · #7 |
| Personally, i love Lightroom. It does everything i need, with a lot of advanced editing tools that don't exist in other applications like Picasa and iPhoto. My favorite is the Black & White editing tools. The largest (definitely not the only, but the one that Adobe uses to distinguish between their products) difference between Lightroom and Photoshop is the absence of layer functionality in Lightroom. Another thing i love about Lightroom is the Non-destructive editing. I know that's not a particularly new concept (such as Picasa's and Aperture's use of it), but i still enjoy it either way. I shoot almost primarily in RAW and Lightroom is designed specifically for those who work with RAW images. It's use of the DNG format is also a great advantage. I agree with Fotomann: there is no Lightroom vs. Photoshop. They can be/are compliments of each other, not replacements. |
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10/26/2007 07:47:48 PM · #8 |
I use Lightroom and Photoshop... I haven't bought either yet (using 30 day trial, and have fallen in love) but i am planning to as soon as i get the money together for a D300! Right now through Adobe, you get $120 off if you buy both of them together! Although, it is around $850... it's better than no $120 off! :)
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10/27/2007 11:57:52 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by staticoy:
I use Lightroom and Photoshop... I haven't bought either yet (using 30 day trial, and have fallen in love) but i am planning to as soon as i get the money together for a D300! Right now through Adobe, you get $120 off if you buy both of them together! Although, it is around $850... it's better than no $120 off! :) |
I just bought both CS3 and Lightroom. I had to upgrade my computer, and somehow had managed to lose my original PS disk. The best deal I found was to register for a community college class ($33), then by the PS/Lightroom academic bundle ($387 at Academic Superstore), then drop the class ($20 back). Recent past academic versions of Photoshop have been upgradeable. No idea if CS3 will be upgradeable or not.
As to the OP's question...PS and Lightroom are complimentary, not competitive. Lightroom is more of an organization and raw conversion tool aimed at people who shoot *lots* of raw. If you're looking for simple but useful editing, you might try PS Elements. It's more simple to use than PS, and still has the things you really need for photo editing.
edit: Pretty much all of these products have 30 day trials. Maybe try the trials and see what you like best.
Message edited by author 2007-10-27 11:58:31. |
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10/27/2007 12:09:54 PM · #10 |
If you "suck" at post processing, Lightroom might be for you, because it includes a lot of one-click presets that can each present a picture completely differently. You can experiement with these, perhaps, to get a feel for your personal style. You can also sharpen your images in Lightroom, as well as crop. You can resize and change resolution by exporting to separate files. All of this is non-destructive, even crop. Your original photos will not be changed at all.
If you're not comfortable editing files in Photoshop, if you don't do a lot of "gee-whiz" editing, if you're confused by PS's level of control, if you don't work with layers - you might be able to skip PS completely and just work with Lightroom. You just have to remember, as  annpatt said, that Lightroom and Photoshop are complementary, not mutually exclusive. You may find that you want to start using Photoshop again. |
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10/27/2007 04:20:06 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by annpatt:
No idea if CS3 will be upgradeable or not.
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I upgraded CS ed version to CS3 with no troubles. Lightroom ED version is like $50. |
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10/28/2007 12:39:12 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by annpatt:
I just bought both CS3 and Lightroom. I had to upgrade my computer, and somehow had managed to lose my original PS disk. The best deal I found was to register for a community college class ($33), then by the PS/Lightroom academic bundle ($387 at Academic Superstore), then drop the class ($20 back). Recent past academic versions of Photoshop have been upgradeable. No idea if CS3 will be upgradeable or not. |
Just be careful, you are not supposed to use academic versions of the software for businesses. You must use the professional version. I find this ridiculous, but if i want to be running a legit business, i am going to buy straight from Adobe (unless i can find a legit version of the professional versions elsewhere). |
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