Adobe Lightroom

[verikos]

Just wanted to know if anybody uses this software and whether they would recommend it. I'm currently using Photoshop 7 (old, I know!) but I can just about make my way around the basics. I'm thinking of getting Lightroom as I've heard it's more 'user friendly' for the basic post editing tweaks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:)

[coffee]

Just wanted to know if anybody uses this software and whether they would recommend it. I'm currently using Photoshop 7 (old, I know!) but I can just about make my way around the basics. I'm thinking of getting Lightroom as I've heard it's more 'user friendly' for the basic post editing tweaks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:)

Everything I read about Lightroom is positive. I don't have it but know some that only use IT. The nice thing about it is it seems to do everything you need when it comes to editing image files. I use 4 programs to edit my images. ACR, DDP, PS and Bridge. I believe LR can take the place of all of these. Maybe not ACR, the RAW converter, not sure. You may still need a RAW converter with LR. So even though I don't use it, if you are on a budget, and want a very versatile program, I would go for it.

[w8jy]

Denise, I purchased Lightroom about three weeks ago. Prior to that, I was using Photoshop Elements 6.

Lightroom will interface with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, so you have that available if needed (such as adding layers, etc.).

Lightroom is MUCH more intuitive and user friendly than Photoshop. It does most things that the average person needs, and really excels at doing batch processing. I particularly like the ability to add some sharpening, etc. automatically when a RAW file is opened.

I am still learning the program, but I like it much better than Elements.

I strongly recommend Scott Kelby"s book: Lightroom2 book for digital photographers - it will simplify the transition to this program a lot for you.

[jerryph]

LightRoom 2 is the one to have. It is not just a photo editing software, but a complete solution database, workflow, editing software.

I do a lot of weddings and with CS3 it took me forever to get through 1200-2000 pictures. With LR2 and the right training, knowledge and practice, I can now do 2000 pics over a weekend.

It does 80%-90% of what CS3 does for me, and LR2 links in to CS3 seamlessly for me during the times that I want to do something that LR2 cannot do.

Highly recommended... but NOT without knowing that to get the most out of this software, you need lots of practice and visiting of a few free internet sites and blogs and youtube tutorials and (my fav), a visit to Lynda.com for video training.

Using LR for me is 95% keystrokes and so fast that I don't see how I ever worked without it before.

Great tool.

[verikos]

Thank you Joseph, Jess and Jerry! I have heard good things about this software but it's nice to know that you guys (i.e real photographers)would recommend it too. Very much appreciated.

[DoctorJazz]

After reading your posts, I tried the free trial for Lightroom 2, then purchased it.
I am a novice at all of this, and feel comfortable using and exploring all the features with Lightroom......it also solved the problem I was having importing RAW images from my camera.....
I couldn't do that before, and now with Lightroom it works great.

Thanks for all the input here. Looking forward to lots more.