Why Lightroom?

[GrafxEditor]

For those of you who are curious about Adobe's newest program, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, here's a great article that explains why photography enthusiasts would want to include Lightroom in their workflow.

Check out Matt Kloskowski's article, "Why Lightroom" (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com/2007/why-lightroom/) for a great overview of what this powerful program can do? To explore Lightroom in depth, check out the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips website (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com).

As always, feel free to banter among yourselves about anything that swings Lightroom in this subforum!

Annie

[DMurray407]

This subforum is a great idea. I have LR (it was kind of a bonus when I purchased PSCS3)-don't have a clue what to do with it. Between it, Organizer and Bridge I'm more than a little confused about what I should use for what.
Thanks!

[MikeH]

What a surprise to see Lightroom included here :eek: :). My workflow is 100% based Lightroom at present.

Lightroom is a fantastic program - a real photographers tool.

I can thoroughly recommend Matt's site, it's excellent and full of the great content you'd expect.

Anyone else use Lightroom here?

[JulieM]

Hi Mike: Yes, I'm a devoted Lightroom user. I think I'm probably under-utilizing it at this point but maybe this thread will spur me to use it more fully. I love the ease of RAW processing with it; exposure, toning, color correction, cropping etc... And I totally love the Develop Presets I've downloaded from here (http://inside-lightroom.com/). I feel happy whenever I open one of my images in LR! :)

[jazzfisher]

I had the Lightroom beta/or preview-but I couldn't grasp why/how I would use it instead of Editor. So I guess will check out Matt's link.

Mike is that really you from days gone by?????

[rhynetc]

I agree that this is a great tool for handling photos. I use it for organizing my shots, for processing my .NEF and JPG shots, and for exporting (resizing) images to post on net galleries.

Lightroom makes all these tasks so much quicker and easier, and I'm also sure I under-utilize it simply because I don't know enough about the full capabilities of the program. For example, I haven't begun to do slide shows, and I understand that this feature is one of the really strong points of the software.

And if I want to edit an image, Elements is only a click away since at installation Lightroom checks to see if Photoshop or Elements is present and includes a convenient clickable link to the editing program.

Sorry if I sound like a commercial for the software, but I really do like it and I have begun to depend on it for organizing and developing my images.

[jazzfisher]

Hi Tom,
How do you use it to organize your photos? I'm a total Organizer user so I want to know how it's different.

[MikeH]

Mike is that really you from days gone by?????The one and only :)

[MikeH]

Lightroom can standalone or integrate with PS / PSE. Right now I only use Lightroom - for developing Raw files and creating web galleries like this (http://www.mikeholley.net/black&white/).


But you can do cool stuff too... like this effect (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m316/mikeholley_photos/bobscafe_surreal.jpg) courtesy of a Matt K tutorial :cool:.

Mike

[Chuck S.]

Mike, is that the technique where Matt pushes a bunch of sliders all the way to the right? Pretty neat effect!

[jazzfisher]

Mike YAY!!!!!! I'm glad you're back!:)

Cool website---I'm going to re-look at LR--and see if it's something I can use--I don't shoot RAW though.

[rhynetc]

Hi Tom,
How do you use it to organize your photos? I'm a total Organizer user so I want to know how it's different.

I've used Organizer a bit, not enough to consider myself an expert, but I think that Lightroom is much, much easier and quicker for handling large numbers of photos than is Organizer (PSE5). I first used Organizer, then converted my ~5,000-photo Catalog to LR.

LR imported my Organizer Catalog, including the Tags, without incident and I've found it much more convenient to add additional keywords than in Organizer. Developing the shots, adjusting white balance, and tweaking the exposure curves is just more intuitive (to me) than it is in PSE5.

Another convenient feature is renaming files, moving files, and renaming folders from within the program. Seems much more effortless than in Organizer.

Tom

[MikeH]

Mike, is that the technique where Matt pushes a bunch of sliders all the way to the right? Pretty neat effect!

Hi Chuck,

That's the one. Matt posted a video tutorial at Lightroom Killer Tips (here's the link (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com/2007/video-surreal-edgy-effect/)).

Mike

[MikeH]

I'm going to re-look at LR--and see if it's something I can use--I don't shoot RAW though.

Hi :)

Lightroom will handle other formats such as JPEG, TIFF, DNG and even PSD (8 & 16 bit), but some of the options are limited with those files such as White Balance controls. I've used it for the occasional JPEG.

Mike

[virgo1]

Hi Everyone! I think it handles files better than the Organizer. I'm probably under-utilizing it also.

[Grant]

Programs like Lightroom and Aperture to name but a few many features and one of them is the ability to organize images. One may ask what advantage does it has over some of the less complex programs like Organizer. If insert all your descriptions and data for sorting and querying a embedded into the EXIF header you never never have to worry about portability. You never loosing data if you decide to move to a new computer, new OS or a new organizing program. Your data will move with the images.

[Edmund]

Now lets see if I got this right. I presently have Nikon Capture NX, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, 4, & 5, Adobe Photoshop CS2 and toying with the idea of getting CS3. Do I really need Lightroom? Or is Adobe trying to get my childrens inheritance. I generally use Capture NX to process my raw files.
Eddie:confused:

[Grant]

I presently have ... Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, 4, & 5, Adobe Photoshop CS2 ... is Adobe trying to get my childrens inheritance.


Eddie

I think they already have your children's inheritance!

--

[Edmund]

Grant, very good... I owe you one, I haven't stopped laughing for a few minutes now. I needed that it has been one of those day's.
Eddie

[Big AL]

I love lightroom! I can't even remember the mess I had before. Everything is now neatly organized and most of the time I dont even need to use Elements or CS3 to clean up pictures. I can do most everything in lightroom and just use the other programs to play with pictures.

[jedimasterk]

I thought Lightroom was geared more towards Photoshop CS2 and CS3 users. How well does it work with Elements. Would this be a better app to get vs Photoshop CS3 if you plan on doing more serious photograpy.

[Chuck S.]

Jedi, Lightroom seems to work well with Elements, although it's so efficient in doing overall adjustments to my images that I spend much less time using Elements. What Lightroom can't do is select and edit portions of a photo or use any of the filters and effects that allow you to turn an ordinary photo into something special/different.

My editor of choice on the 'back end' of Lightroom is Elements, with an occasional foray into CS3 if there's something I need to do that Elements can't do (rare occurrence). Lightroom also serves as me as my organizer/browser/bridge, although I believe Organizer may have features that are easier to use than Lightroom (I never got into Organizer) for serious tagging of images.

[Codebreaker]

I think saying that LR is geared towards either CS (2 or 3) or Elements even is not presenting a true picture (pun :) ) of their interaction.

Essentially LR and CS/Elements remain seperate programs. Their databases - if you have the Organiser - are independent. You can Edit an image in CS or Elements by opening those programs from within LR but once you do that it acts as an independent program. The only benefit being that you get the edited version in the LR library.

The Import from Elements Catalog feature in LR is a little temperamental.

Colin

[JulieM]

I thought Lightroom was geared more towards Photoshop CS2 and CS3 users. How well does it work with Elements. Would this be a better app to get vs Photoshop CS3 if you plan on doing more serious photograpy.

Jedi,

Like Chuck, I use Lightroom to process my images, making adjustments to white balance, tone, and color there and sometimes take them into Elements to add filters or work special effects. My reaction to your question is that if you are planning on getting into serious photography, then Lightroom will be a good fit. It was designed, after all, to meet the needs of pro photographers. If you plan on getting into serious photo editing or manipulation, then you may want CS3. I recommend that you download the LR trial and you'll see just what you can do with your photos. Make the switch to shooting in RAW first if you haven't already done do. One of LR's greatest strengths is it RAW editing...

By the way, I like the images in your gallery...

[robpendragon]

I ordered Lightroom! I should have it today or tomorrow:D I can't wait! I also ordered Scott Kelby's book to help me understand & get all I can from it. Is there anything I need to know before I download it into my computer? like updates or bugs with the software? I didn't want to start a new thread in the Killer tips section, was not sure if I should:)

[Chuck S.]

I ordered Lightroom! I should have it today or tomorrow:D I can't wait! I also ordered Scott Kelby's book to help me understand & get all I can from it. Is there anything I need to know before I download it into my computer? like updates or bugs with the software? I didn't want to start a new thread in the Killer tips section, was not sure if I should:)

Rob, there are substantial updates from the original (1.0); now at 1.3.1. You definitely want to get those updates loaded before using the program. Fortunately, once you've installed and registered, the program is very smart about detecting updates (online) and gently nagging you to install them.

Enjoy!

[robpendragon]

Awesome, thanks Chuck. I kept seeing in threads 1.1,1.2,1.3 So I figured there must be something I needed to do.:o

[Chuck S.]

Awesome, thanks Chuck. I kept seeing in threads 1.1,1.2,1.3 So I figured there must be something I needed to do.:o

Rob, they update LR every time they update the ACR plug-in. However, there were some really big changes early on, so if you receive 1.0 in the box you're surely going to want to get to at least 1.2. No harm done going all the way to 1.3.1 as near as I can tell.

[JulieM]

Hi Rob,

You're going to love Lightroom! I downloaded the software and then worked from Scott's book page-by-page. I'm usually more of a "trial and error" sort, but someone recommended the book be used that way. I think it really helped me get a handle on the different modules in an organized way. I just got Martin Evening's book for Christmas but can't really comment on it yet as I haven't had a chance to read it.

We'd love for you to join us in the Lightroom Playground thread after you get started...

Be sure to check out Matt's Lightroom Killer Tips (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com/) website for videos, tips, downloads, and other good stuff.

[mhstein]

I also have tried to use LIGHTROOM but the program seems a little confusing to me in that when i go to the print module i am having a difficult time finding the site to download my printers IPC profiles.

I am currently using the Cannon pro9000 printer, but when i go to their website they give me no information on ipc profiles at all.

Even though this a a forum for Elements, does any user no where i can download the profiles..

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[JulieM]

Hi and welcome! What paper are you using with your Canon printer?

[JulieM]

Thought I'd try to answer going on the assumption that you are using Canon papers. Your printer should have come with driver software which includes the icc profiles for the Canon branded papers. These would have installed along with your printer driver. It sounds like you don't have those or they would appear as a choice in the Print dialog in LR.

Here (http://www.steves-digicams.com/techcorner/June_2005.html) is a link for some information about what to do if you haven't got the icc profiles for you printer. It is specific to Canon printers.

I hope this helps! If not, please post back...

[Interject]

What a surprise to see Lightroom included here :eek: :). My workflow is 100% based Lightroom at present.

Lightroom is a fantastic program - a real photographers tool.

I can thoroughly recommend Matt's site, it's excellent and full of the great content you'd expect.

Anyone else use Lightroom here?

No I don't use it, I just got PSE6 but was looking at getting it to process my images after shooting. But I hear you can do the same with Apple Aperture which is better?

[JulieM]

Hi Interject,

If you are looking for a way to process your images and organize them, Lightroom might be the way to go. It was designed for professional photographers to do just that. I don't have experience with Aperture but many Mac users prefer Lightroom. If you would like to try Lightroom, I can set you up with a free trial of the Lightroom Version 2.0 beta software. You'll have to send me a private message with your email address (click on my username and then click 'send a private message'). This is a beta version and will function until the end of August. And note that, as a beta, it will have kinks to be worked out before the full release.

[Grant]

No I don't use it, I just got PSE6 but was looking at getting it to process my images after shooting. But I hear you can do the same with Apple Aperture which is better?

I have used both and presently use Aperture. While the look different and behave differently I can't find much difference in their use on a practical level. Both are great at cataloguing , both do excellent post processing but neither will replace photoshop. For a Mac user Aperture does have the added benefit that it integrate better with Mac products through the media browser and has tight integration to .Mac accounts. The real advantage for a Mac user is that Lightroom sells for $299 and Aperture for $199 with and up grade price of $99.

.

[lizarogers@home]

Hi, I am new at this...
I really want to know what kind of software or lenses or ??? this photographer uses.. I love her teqniques but I am not sure what her technices are? would you be able to figure it out... I love the way she does it with the water effects!!
www.lisaelizabethphotography.com (http://www.lisaelizabethphotography.com/)

[Grant]

Liza

I am not clear what you are seeing and I certainly don't know what camera or spoftware she is using but there is an email link on her site. Have you thought of contacting her, bet it will make her day to have a happy e-mail?

As to her web site it is a service provided by simplyblu (http://www.simplyblu.com/index2.php)

[WesternGuy]

I have recently acquired a new Dell Inspiron running Windows 7 Home Premium. After reading through this forum on Lightroom and seeing comments from others, I thought I would try it out (currently using PSE8 to Organize and Edit photos). I downloaded the trial version of Lightroom 2.6 and installed it. When I tried to run it, as soon as the initial panel came up, it was glazed over so that it became sort of translucent and I got a message to the extent that Windows had encountered a problem (Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 64-bit has stopped working) and was looking for a solution and finally I was left with a button that said "Close Program"

I have upgraded my graphics driver and just about everything else I could think of, except reinstalling Win7, remember this new system is only about 3 to 4 months old, and I still cannot get it (LR) to work - same problem every time. When it comes to Win7 I am still a technical newbie and cannot even begin to imagine what is happening, especially when I read Forums such as this one and see that everyone has it up and running and working for them.

Any insight, advice, etc., that anyone would care to provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Regards,

WesternGuy

My apologies to the mods, this should probably be a new thread on this Forum. Please feel free to move it. Thanks.

[JulieM]

I'm far from an expert, but my laptop runs Lightroom 2.6 (64 bit) on Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit). It sounds like you downloaded the 64 bit version of Lightroom. Do you have the 64 bit Windows 7?

[rhynetc]

Hi westernguy,

Are you running 64-bit Windows 7? Looks like your install of Lightroom was the 64-bit variety, so if that was a mismatch it could explain the failure to run.

I suggest you re-install Lightroom...

[WesternGuy]

Julie and Tom, thanks for your replies. Yes, I am running the 64-bit version of Windows 7. Tom, I have uninstalled and reinstalled Lightroom 2.6 a number of times, so I do not think that is the issue. I have even upgraded my graphics driver to the latest. Not sure what the next step is(?)...

Regards,

WesternGuy

[JulieM]

I was going to do a quick review over at Adobe Forums to see if there was any similar problem posted. I see that you're getting some knowledgeable help there already. :)

[rhynetc]

You might try reading this thread at the Lightroom Forum. Seems that a complete re-install of Win 7 did the trick for this user...

http://www.lightroomforums.net/index.php?topic=8192.0

But you didn't upgrade, did you?

[WesternGuy]

rhyntec, no, you are right, I did not upgrade. Windows 7, 64-bit came already installed on the system. Maybe, though I do not relish the thought, I may have to re-install the OS. Really do not want to do this unless I absolutely have to. From my perspective, it makes no sense to have to re-install the OS. If someone has insight as to why this might be necessary, I would sure like to know and understand. Thanks.

WesternGuy

[WesternGuy]

Julie and rhyntec, I came across a Lightroom forum last night in which someone with a similar problem had posted a question. It was suggested that the Wacom Intuos tablet's driver may be causing the problem, or that some part of it may be the source of the problem. There were some suggestions as to how to remedy the situation, so I will try them this weekend, if I can find the time, and if I can find all the parts they have suggested, and see if this works. Will try and keep you posted.

Regards,

WesternGuy

[WesternGuy]

Well Julie and rhyntec, that seems to have solved the problem. I uninstalled the driver for my Wacom Intuos 4 tablet and Lightroom now gets to the point where it wants to find a catalog. So this is progress.

WesternGuy

[rhynetc]

Good progress! These forums are great places to find solutions to most problems.