If You Are Tempted to Buy LR4, Please Read This

[Spacecadetswife]

I'm in the process right now of learning to use Lightroom, and perhaps upgrading to CS6 (just downloaded the Beta). I don't seem to be having the problems you're describing--at least not yet. I'm also switching from a PC to Mac, having tried out IPhoto for a while (that was a mess). I'm slowly going through Matt's training at Kelbytraining.com, supplementing with Lynda.com, taking Kayla Lamoreaux Finding Photo flow, and using Scott Kelby's book. I'll probably also sign up for Linda Sattgast's Photoshop CS 6 Training when it comes out. I'm wondering if perhaps I'm missing something?

I agree with Paige in that I do use keywords, and I'm not using subject folders (like Matt). I'm letting Lightroom put my photos in folders by date. I've used subject folders in the past, and it became a huge mess. I do get a little annoyed with Matt when he glosses quickly over something that I don't understand/interested in. But, I'm finding that Lynda.com can help fill in the blanks.

Is it the non descructive nature of Lightroom that you're referring to? Is that the big difference? The need to "export" out of the program into Photoshop to do serious edits? I don't want to be one of those who gives up in six months. What do you think it is that turns people off?

[dj_paige]

Originally Posted by Spacecadetswife

I agree with Paige in that I do use keywords, and I'm not using subject folders (like Matt).

Good for you!

Originally Posted by Spacecadetswife

I do get a little annoyed with Matt when he glosses quickly over something that I don't understand/interested in.

Welcome to the club. This is one of my major dislikes regarding Kelby and Kloskowski, they don't explain the "why" of what you are doing.

Originally Posted by Spacecadetswife

Is it the non descructive nature of Lightroom that you're referring to? Is that the big difference? The need to "export" out of the program into Photoshop to do serious edits? I don't want to be one of those who gives up in six months. What do you think it is that turns people off?

Its a guess on my part, because the people who say things like "I tried LR for 3 months and could never figure it out" don't really give an explanation (and probably can't give an explanation why they couldn't figure it out). My guess is that they want to keep using LR the same as any other photo software ... folders as the only organizing tool, moving photos and folders in Windows (or Mac Finder), browsing photos in folders instead of in LR, and they want to save every photo. Sometimes, I think its the old "I've always done it this way, so I'm going to keep doing it this way". When I get a chance to discuss the use of keywords with one of these people (in an internet forum), they rarely understand my explanation why keywords offer advantages over folders, and my examples don't seem to register with them.