Adobe Lightroom - opinions?

Tried it? Whaddya think?

I played around with the beta version some, and it seems to have some
good possibilities.

 

not for me. i will tick with cs2

 

I am still trying to decide if this is something that I need. I will
say that I like that fact that I can straighten, crop and re-size
images right while I am converting. I find that using it I can mostly
avoid the need to open an image in Photoshop (elements) which does
save some time.

On the other hand in many ways Rawshooter essentials is easier to use
and since I already have that I might just stick with it.

I still have 9 days to decide.

Scott

 

You can do all of that in ACR. So what does Lightroom offer that
Photoshop and Bridge don't offer?

 

I am using Photoshop Elements and at least with that I am pretty much
limited to dealing with one image at a time, which sucks. I believe,
but might be wrong, that both Photoshop and Photoshop elements use the
same raw converter. But with elements at least I need to first
convert the raw file and then crop, I can't crop right from the raw
image. And I can't do things like setting the WB the same for a whole
bunch of photos at the same time.

And I have no experience with Bridge so I am not sure what all if
offers.

Scott

 

Looked like Adobe Bridge on steroids. And Bridge is part of CS2 (and CS3
beta).

 

It's a cataloging application as well. V1 is way better than the betas,
but there're still a few things to work out.

 

I'm not familiar with Bridge. I use Elements 4.0 now. Are you saying
that if you have CS2 or CS3 that Lightroom is redundant?

Adobe's website says they "compliment" each other, but I'm sure they
just want to sell more stuff, too.

 

Dude, you REALLY need to get CS3, or at least the new ACR.
I don't know if Adobe plans to offer the new ACR separately, but I
kinda doubt it. Anyway, you can do all the things you mentioned in
the new ACR and many more. Lots more useful stuff like sliders for
Highlight recovery (D-Mac should buy it for this feature alone) and
even a slider for "Fill Light" (borrowed from RawShooter, no doubt).
About the only feature I can think of that it lacks is a good color
wheel for easy color correction. However it has a number of sliders
that serve the same function.

 

Sounds like a lot of the stuff that is in Lightroom. Can you batch
process the raw files?

Also can straighten and crop during the raw conversion or do you need
to use PS for that?

Scott

 

You can do all of that in the new Adobe Camera RAW.
It even has a Curves adjustment built in.

 

So film users don't use Photoshop?

Besides, who made you this group's nanny?
Oh that's right ... it's Friday night. That means you got the house
to yourself.

 

rec.photo.dslr

RP©

 

You may be a jag bag but you are indeed a keen observer of the human
condition.

rec.photo.dslr

RP©

 

Have you looked at Lightroom? There is a free 30 day trial, you might
find you like it.

Scott

 

Lightroom is the C41 of digital images.
It's most significant ability is developing RAW or JPEG images to a
"look" you like. You can create as many of these "looks" as you like and
then apply which ever one suits to an image. You can either choose to use
it as a high level replacement for bridge and ACR or as a stand alone
application. I have processed 1500 images at one time with this program
after making critical decisions on each one of them, then bulk processing
them.

It is hard to learn. Almost impossible to understand the manual and
absolutely brilliant once you persevere long enough to get the hang of
it. Using Photoshop becomes an option for developing BOTH JPEG and RAW
images.If you don't have any ability to stick with learning until you
win, pass it up and use ACR and Bridge. I almost gave it up. I'm now glad
I didn't.

It really is...
Douglas