Organizer, Bridge, Lightroom??

[kimi_boo]

I got word back on my external drive.
They can recover Nothing. :(

So.... I have all these thumbnails to delete in the organizer. (sigh...)

but since I have to start all over. :o

I am looking for some feedback. I have never tried the bridge in CS3. I loved being able to tag my images into collections using the Organizer. I also loved being able to go thru my images at full screen so I could see what I wanted to delete.

I have no idea what Lightroom has to offer? Can I do those things in it?
I am looking for some feedback so I can get off on the right foot. I have 2 cards full of images but no space yet to install them. If I was going to pay to have everything recoved, I can tell myself I deserve Lightroom.
Do I want it?

[Inspeqtor]

kimi,

I am so sorry nothing can be recovered from your hard drive. I can't give you any feedback, I just feel badly for you. :(

[NickLewis]

Oh, Kimi, I'm so sorry. :( Have a hug.......:)

Yes, LR can do collections, and can do full screen views etc. It's main power is in handling RAW files, but it does handle JPGs as well.

It's interface is very different though, and personally I think the Organiser-type functions are better implemented in PSE. The image "Development " is far better in Lightroom though.

Why not download the trial and have a go with it?

As you're starting again anyway, you've an opportunity to trial one against the other on an even footing. Make a virtue out of necessity.

Nick

[kimi_boo]

Thanks Charles.

Nick... I needed the hug. :)

the trial download is a great idea. I will dig around for it. I don't shoot in RAW but I have been thinking that I needed to switch.

So you would recommend if shooting mostly in raw, Lightroom would be the way to go?

[kImages]

Kimi - I am so sad to hear there's no recovery for the hard-drive.

Bridge was the thing that convinced me to layout the 3 bills for CS3. I was so comfortable using the Windows folders and I had worked out a workflow to review and delete and tag with Organizer. When I tried Bridge I loved the fact that I could see all my Windows folder, I do go though the pictures in near full screen mode, love the fact that I can bring up 2 side by side, star rate them 1 - 5 and can easily build a new folder or delete. The weekend I downloaded the CS3 trial I had a few soccer games to process - I shoot 500 - 800 images per game these days. The first game set I did in Organizer, the next I did in Bridge - took me 1/3 the time. Cha-ching - sold!

I do go back to PSE5 Editor on occasion, but have never touched Organizer again. Oh - I've had to go and retrieve files from my backup and the star rating stayed with the image - so no tag recovery, no re-linking.

Given you already have Bridge with your CS3 but you are willing to purchase Lightroom, I'd try the trial download of Lightroom. I've watched some of the videocasts that Matt K has done with Lightroom and it certainly looks like another cool tool.

[NickLewis]

So you would recommend if shooting mostly in raw, Lightroom would be the way to go?I'm sure the Lightroom users will have something to say.

I think it depends. I shoot in RAW almost exclusively. I trialled LR in v1.2 (I think), but I didn't take it up, mainly because I was unhappy with the "Organiser" implementation and the LR facility to import a PSE catalog was badly broken. (And isn't available at all for a PSE6 catalog.) So there was a heavy overhead to changing to LR for me. I was also a little uncomfortable about how stable LR was.

In my view, LR excels at the rapid processing of large volumes of RAW images, especially if a lot of them require similar adjustments to white balance, exposure, etc. For example, a professional who shoots many, many frames of the same subject in the same or similar lighting conditions. I don't shoot like that, so the benefit isn't as obvious to me, especially now that Adobe have implemented a facility in PSE to process multiple images in ACR.

I rather set it aside and thought, I might go with v2.0... But I suppose I ought to try v1.3 now.

I think like so many things, at the end of the day it all depends what you want and what you're comfortable with. A bit like a camera really. Because someone else is delighted with it, it doesn't mean it suits you.

I really would recommend the trial. It's a powerful piece of software.

Nick

[mrod]

Kimi-

1. I'm very, very, very sorry. That stinks.

2. I must confess--I don't like the Organizer. Never have. But that's just me.

3. I use Bridge. Love it. It's like Windows Explorer on steroids.

4. Want to go to Lightroom some day, but no time to learn somethign new right now. But I think eventually, that's the direction I'll end up going.

My (brief) $.02,

Mike

[kimi_boo]

ok... I have the trial version of lightroom. Took some raw images and imported them there.

How do I get them to open in camera raw in CS3?:o

If I have it in bridge and I want to open in CS3 will it open in camera raw?

and yes, I see the setting in lightroom but that is not what I want to do.:confused:

oh... and how the heck do you minimize lightroom?????

[Codebreaker]

Kimi....

If you import your images to LR then that's where you process them - in the Develop Module.

You can still take the result to Photoshop - just not the ACR, after all why would you need to do that. Just select an image in LR and right click. You should see an option to Edit in Photoshop.

Minimise LR the same way as any other program.

Colin

[Wendy]

Kimi ...

Oh I am so sorry to hear the news :(

Wendy

[kimi_boo]

I gotta tell ya... I don't know if I like Lightroom. :o
I found the controls to be to wacky. I guess you would get used to it.
I did load my images into Bridge and it lets me open in camera raw, which is what I wanted.

If the organizer gave me the same option.... I would just stay with it. ;)

[GaryK]

Kimi

So sorry.:(

I am not a big fan of the Lightroom import/export module. I really don't quite "get" it.
I love the develop module and could spend hours in there playing. Mostly jpegs here as I haven't jumped on the RAW bandwagon yet. (can you spell LAZINESS :D)
I really would see no need to use ACR if LR is part of your workflow regardless of what format you shoot in.
:)
Knowing the type of stuff you do I have a feeling LR will not be happy fit.

[kimi_boo]

Thanks Gary.:)

I will have to give it some more play time. I need to check out the presets, just not sure where to find them.
:o

[GaryK]

Kimi

I don't think I have even tried a preset, although with Julie's winfall I may have to explore some more.:)
They are somewhere on the left hand side of the screen.:D

I like to tweak my photos more than make creations out of them so for me LR is great.

[Chuck S.]

Well.....here's an opinion from the other side. I hated Organizer when it was Album and gave up early. The early version of Bridge was not much different from the old Elements Browser, so I never saw much point in using it.

Then along came Lightroom.....and after a difficult courtship, I fell in love! I no longer have to worry about the time commitment associated with shooting RAW; it's fast and fun, especially when I use presets. The percentage of images I feel compelled to pass on to Elements or CS3 is pretty low most of the time; Lightroom is one-stop shopping for me.

BUT.....it's not for everyone, and I'd never try to talk someone into its use. Whatever works best for you!

[Ric Cisson]

I agree with Chuck. I never liked the organizer w/PSE, never got comfy with Bridge, even the latest version, but with LR, it really makes processing RAW files fun, efficient and one can easily pass any additional manipulations off to PSE or Photoshop with ease. All of my imports are handled through LR initially and to be honest, I would say 80% of my workflow has been streamlined as a result. I still am looking for a comfy softproof to final print, and now am playing with Qimage for a more accurate and efficient means.

[Codebreaker]

I'm with Chuck and Ric, with the exception that I still like the Elements Organiser better than LR and I still print from Photoshop.

Colin

[kimi_boo]

So the point here is... each has it's own merit. :)

I played with Lightroom and bridge yesterday. First time for both. I guess it is not fair for me to make a judgment without a little more play time.

I really appreciate all of the comments!!
Thanks everyone.
:D

[Codebreaker]

LR is not overly intuitive so you need to give it quite a lengthy test before you pass a judgement on it. If RAW is your thing, then LR is for you :)

Colin

[Ric Cisson]

I am with Colin, 90% of my work is RAW and LR has become the most efficient utility to process RAW file that I have run across. That you can easily go from LR to PSE or PS from within the workflow is so much more efficient for me. The Library module takes alittle getting used to initially, but once you have it, it really is nice. Processing event photos through the Organizer or Bridge was so cumbersome, with LR it is effortless in comparison. (You still have decisions to make about selecting images, but it is so much more user friendly)

[GaryK]

Kimi

I cant recall if you are a NAPP member. If so have a look at the learning section there. Also check out some stuff that Scott has posted about his feelings on LR.

[NickLewis]

I did load my images into Bridge and it lets me open in camera raw, which is what I wanted.

If the organizer gave me the same option.... I would just stay with it. ;)Kimi,
What do you mean? Organiser does let you do that. If you open a RAW file from Organiser it loads into Camera RAW (unfortunately the restricted Elements version not the full Photoshop version, but there we go).

Nick

[jazzfisher]

Kimi,
I'm not really any help in your desicion making but wanted to express my smpathy over your hard drive............:(

I love the Organizer, don't shoot raw, tried LR & didn't get "it" and have not seen bridge--so there you go...:rolleyes:

[kimi_boo]

Thanks Sherry. :)

So I played with LR some more and I still don't like the sliders. :o I would much rather mess with the camera raw setting in CS. Now, Nick says if I import into the organizer it will only open in Elements, which pretty much leaves me working in Bridge.

I am still so confused. I didn't realize that it would be such a hard decision. :confused:

[billz]

Kimi - I just stumbled on this thread. I really sorry about your HD. I had seen earlier that you were having some drive problems ... but didn't realize the severity. I'm really sorry.

I've not used organizer or LR. In PSE (3 ... I never upgraded 'cuz of the organizer) I still use the file browser. Since I've been using CS3 I've switched to Bridge and love it.

Good luck with your decision ... looking forward to seeing Kimi images again.

Bill

[NickLewis]

Thanks Sherry. :)

So I played with LR some more and I still don't like the sliders. :o I would much rather mess with the camera raw setting in CS. Now, Nick says if I import into the organizer it will only open in Elements, which pretty much leaves me working in Bridge.

I am still so confused. I didn't realize that it would be such a hard decision. :confused:Kimi,

That wasn't quite what I meant. If you set CS3 up as an alternative editor in PSE, I imagine it'll open up full blown ACR. I just meant that if you invoke Elements editor, you get the Elements ACR. (I don't have CS3 so can't try it).

Nick

[kimi_boo]

Kimi,

That wasn't quite what I meant. If you set CS3 up as an alternative editor in PSE, I imagine it'll open up full blown ACR. I just meant that if you invoke Elements editor, you get the Elements ACR. (I don't have CS3 so can't try it).

Nick

Nick... I left a couple of raw images on my card. I am going to load them into the organizer today and see what happens. ;)

Thanks Bill.

[Shari]

Oh Kimi - I am so sorry to hear about your hard drive. I can just imagine the stress you have been under.

I just downloaded the upgrade for CS3 yesterday and I loaded the Bridge for the first time. For some reason only 1/4 of my photos loaded into the Bridge. To me there is a lot of figuring out to do. I have always liked organizer and how I can tag and make collections. I assume this sort of thing can be done in Bridge. I will have to start going through the help.

I thought of Lightroom but I think I am getting too many new toys and not grasping the workings of any. I have not been around the computer lately but hope to start spending some time each day. I would like to hear from people that are pleased with CS3 Bridge over Elements organizer and why?
Thanks.
Shari

[kimi_boo]

Oh Shari... A BIG HUG to you! I have missed you!!

Glad to hear you feel well enough to start spending time on the computer. I still remember us trying to learn how to use a layer mask together. ;)

I should have the first of my new externals up and running in a few days so I need to decide how to start over. I have 2 cards full of images waiting for me to make a decision. :p

[kimi_boo]

I bought a 500 GB Seagate external today so now I can have some pictures. I have decided that I really don't like Bridge. I kinda like Lightroom but I am having a small problem. When I open it, I cannot find how to minimize the software or close the program. I keep bringing up the task manager to close. :confused:

Help?

EDIT:
Here is a screen shot. When I have LR opened it fills my entire screen. I can't even see my bottom tool bar.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1EpvHGb8oEiOJs8pDAEi7ZYwCiEZo_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1EpvHGb8oEiOJs8pDAEi7ZYwCiEZo)

[Chuck S.]

Kimi, it looks like the top of your screen is truncating the toolbar and the standard Windows minimize/expand/contract/exit icons which should be in the upper right above the (missing) toolbar. You might want to try playing with your screen resolution to see if you can get the whole LR screen to appear. Very strange...

[kimi_boo]

Thanks for the reply Chuck. Yes, I am finding it very strange. I hate to start messing with my screen resolution when all of my other programs work fine. I sure can't go any smaller. I won't be able to see. :o

I guess I am giving up on LR.

[Chuck S.]

Kimi, what screen resolution are you currently using? It would be good to know whether that's the problem....

[kimi_boo]

Fixed it!! hit the "F" key to get out of full screen. Now everything looks normal. Have played a little more... some really cool stuff in there.

Where can I find some presets?
and... how do I install them?

[Chuck S.]

Kimi, there are a number of sites that have free presets, including www.lightroomkillertips.com (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com) and http://inside-lightroom.co.uk .

Once you find them, you simply:

Download them to your computer (I use my desktop as a landing pad). Unzip them if they come in zipped form.
Then, you go into Lightroom and in the Develop module on the left side, find the User Presets tab.
Right-click on User Presets and select Import.
Find the preset files you have on your desktop, highlight them and click OK. This adds them to the dropdown list under User Presets.
Delete the preset files from your desktop; they're no longer needed.To use one, just hover over it and see the preview in the Navigator pane in the top left corner of the screen. If you like the effect, click on it and it will be added to the stack of adjustments for your image that appear in the bottom left. Sounds complicated, but it's so simple once you get the hang of it!

[kimi_boo]

Thanks so much Chuck!! You have been a dear. :)

Off to look for presets. ;)

[kimi_boo]

hanging my head in shame....

I am in Develop and my preset option has disappeared?
what the heck did I do?

[Chuck S.]

Kimi, our Internet got knocked out by the storms last night and I'm just seeing this. Do you have the pane showing to the left of your photo in the Develop module? If not, click on the arrowhead on the left around mid-screen in height and the panel should appear. Presets should be there, right under the Navigator. If that doesn't work - and maybe you should do this first - go to Window>Panels and make sure Navigator and Presets are checked. That should do it for you.

[kimi_boo]

Thanks Chuck... that was it. Preset wasn't checked under windows.

I am going to try and work the lightroom challenge some time today. I have 3 open houses. :o

[GaryK]

Kimi

3 open houses ..man you will have time to do all the LR challenges.:D

[kimi_boo]

Kimi

3 open houses ..man you will have time to do all the LR challenges.:D

If I don't sell something soon, hubby is going to make me get a real job. :eek: :o

[Chuck S.]

I could use an open house this afternoon....the temperature outside is 73 degrees F and there's remarkably low humidity! I'll be outside again soon!!