Adobe CS4 / Lightroom / Something else?

Marcus Geezer

Marcus Geezer

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Marcus
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I'm looking to upgrade/change from my copy of photoshop CS2 and rather than following the natural path of using CS4 was wondering what other offerings there are within the Adobe range?

For example what is lightroom and does it have similair functionality?

Any help appreciated.
 
Why not try a free trial download. Because so many people give good comments on Lightroom, I had a go of the free trial myself. Personally I couldn't get on with it, not finding it intuitive at all, despite having used PS7, CS3 and now CS4.

However you may find it different. Certainly if you give the trial a go, it should be able to confirm for you whether you would want to commit your hard earned to it.
 
This subject has been covered loads, the general concencus is download the trial and see how you get on.

My take on it is that if you have a few pictures that you want to process to perfection, Photoshop (CSx or Elements) is for you. If you have a lot of images that you want to apply basic edits to and get out to a client ASAP Lightroom is probably more suited.
 
lightroom AND photoshop, don't know how to compare cs2 to cs4 but I know cs5 is due at some point so maybe LR now new photoshop next time?

lightroom 3 is running a free beta before it is released so that might be a good shout ;)
 
CS5 is allegedly due in the first half of this year. If you have a Mac then CS5 is a major upgrade because it is the switch to full 64bit.....
 
david1701 said:
you guys don't have 64 bit PS yet :O
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No Apple pulled the plug on the 64bit version of their application framework and switched to a newer version. Adobe could not re-write it quick enough for version 4. The OS itself being full 64bit with SL means that the main advantage is memory. The only big advantage will be on machines with maybe 6+Gb of RAM whilst editing VERY large files.
 
cowasaki said:
No Apple pulled the plug on the 64bit version of their application framework and switched to a newer version. Adobe could not re-write it quick enough for version 4. The OS itself being full 64bit with SL means that the main advantage is memory. The only big advantage will be on machines with maybe 6+Gb of RAM whilst editing VERY large files.
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aaaah, you don't have the annoying ram limitations on 32bitt

hoping to move mac inside 12 months as these raw files are a killer
 
david1701 said:
aaaah, you don't have the annoying ram limitations on 32bitt

hoping to move mac inside 12 months as these raw files are a killer
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No MacOS has been capable of handling more than 4Gb for years. The Mac Pro can have 64Gb of RAM now !! I have had 6Gb on my mac pro for 3 years and will probably upgrade the video card and then the RAM to 12Gb when CS5 comes out.
 
Thanks everyone for posting.

I'm currently running a PC on Windows XP with CS2 and I'm not happy with the output hence why I'm thinking about the upgrade. But... I think on reflection the questions is.... would the latest version of Lightroom or Photoshop enable me to produce better PP images than my CS2. Ok maybe a few more functions and easier workflows, but fundamentally will it help to improve what I do. Or do I just have to refine how I'm using CS2?

I will try the free demo, but for you experienced bods I'd like to ask is it worth the expense of the upgrade?
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Thanks everyone for posting.

But... I think on reflection the questions is.... would the latest version of Lightroom or Photoshop enable me to produce better PP images than my CS2. Ok maybe a few more functions and easier workflows, but fundamentally will it help to improve what I do. Or do I just have to refine how I'm using CS2?
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Thats the right question to ask and basicly the answer is that the raw converter has been improved which may make a difference to output and it will run a little to a lot faster than CS2 if you have a multiple processor computer, but the other added bells and whistles will proberly not improve what you are doing now, only practise, time and experiance will do that.:)
 
Thanks Paul. I know enough to apply 'modular' processing to an image, and by this I mean I can adjust levels, contrast, skin smooth, enhance eyes, clone, etc, etc, but it is the subtlely of bringing the image together which I think I'm lacking. I guess I need to forget about the software side and ask myself what I want from the image.

I think I have lots of pondering and head scratching to do.

Thanks for posting.
 
OK - I'm going to get giggles in the back row now but what exactly does light room bring to the party ?

I've been trying it out and still end up back at CS4 to do certain things... to me it just seems to be an easy way to clean up some photos and may be add a couple of effects but in a structured way..... am I missing the point ?

Terran
 
cowasaki said:
No Apple pulled the plug on the 64bit version of their application framework and switched to a newer version. Adobe could not re-write it quick enough for version 4. The OS itself being full 64bit with SL means that the main advantage is memory. The only big advantage will be on machines with maybe 6+Gb of RAM whilst editing VERY large files.
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Or could it be something to do with the Adobe flash/Apple throw your toys out of the pram at playtime fallout ;)
 
Edtog said:
Or could it be something to do with the Adobe flash/Apple throw your toys out of the pram at playtime fallout ;)
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Although this is very interesting can we keep the thread on track?

ccsnet said:
OK - I'm going to get giggles in the back row now but what exactly does light room bring to the party ?

I've been trying it out and still end up back at CS4 to do certain things... to me it just seems to be an easy way to clean up some photos and may be add a couple of effects but in a structured way..... am I missing the point ?

Terran
Click to expand...

So if I have a copy of CS2/CS3/CS4 does it replicate what lightroom does, plus of course more, but perhaps use a different work flow or process?
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Although this is very interesting can we keep the thread on track?



So if I have a copy of CS2/CS3/CS4 does it replicate what lightroom does, plus of course more, but perhaps use a different work flow or process?
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rE The Apple thing.... T3.com seem to be watching it.... worth one one on.

Re the CS2/CS3/CS4 thing..... I think thats my question... I just know what I do....
 
ccsnet said:
Re the CS2/CS3/CS4 thing..... I think thats my question... I just know what I do....
Click to expand...

Yeah so the question is, does lightroom bring anything extra to the table so to speak?
 
I think LR is great if only for a library for your photo collection I got a few top tips from Cowasaki and can find any photo in a few seconds (pretty much)

I do an auto correct while in LR and then adjust the exposure to what I want then open in PS to do any cropping and sharpening and filter effects. I really think they do work very well together.
 
LR is good for making global changes to your images, ie white balance, clarity, simply copy and paste and changes to one image can be applied to numerous images at the push of a button, I also like the pre-sets available. However once I have completed my global changes I always finish oh in PS4. I also like the aility to upload a web gallery direct from LR onto my website...
 
Really you need lightroom and photoshop.

I find the majority of my work is done in lightroom with minor adjustments easily done. Cataloging and tagging means finding images is a dream and I'm constantly being asked for images at work.

Anything truly creative requiring levels etc and then it's time to right click the pic in lightroom and edit in photoshop.

Check out the online tutorials for lightroom. I used it for a bit, didn't fully understand it but then watched the tutorials and it explains everything. I wouldn't be without both.
 
Byker28i said:
Really you need lightroom and photoshop.

I find the majority of my work is done in lightroom with minor adjustments easily done. Cataloging and tagging means finding images is a dream and I'm constantly being asked for images at work.

Anything truly creative requiring levels etc and then it's time to right click the pic in lightroom and edit in photoshop.

Check out the online tutorials for lightroom. I used it for a bit, didn't fully understand it but then watched the tutorials and it explains everything. I wouldn't be without both.
Click to expand...
Sounds like I'm not missing the point although I do think its a lot of software for a few features.....

Terran
 
The way I look at it, Lightroom has pretty much everything a photographer needs for post processing, Photoshop is for all the extra arty/graphic design stuff.

If you want to spend a lot of time processing each shot to perfection Photoshop is for you, if you want to spend more time behind the camera and you aren't fussed about each and every pixel being perfect, Lightroom will be fine (and its a fair bit cheaper).
 
Any views on Aperture 3??
I have CS3 at the moment but rarely edit.
 
There have been a few threads aleardy, but download the trial and see how you get on ;)
 
Lightroom is a photographer's end-to-end workflow too. From importing and cataloging your images through to creating a web page and/or printing out.

Photoshop fills the gaps where you need to conduct more advanced edits and adjustments to your images. The absolutely go hand-in-hand in my view.
 
i started a similar thread, I have basic photo shop knowledge but was advised to try lightroom. I am struggling with lightroom because I'm new to it so Can't decide properly - although most people are using both.
 
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