Kristoes

Now that I've purchased a new camera, computer, software programs, and I'm working in RAW:
What is the best tutorial for Lightroom/Photomatix?
Thanks!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm sure you are aware that Lightroom and Photomatix are two different programs with vastly different purposes. You didn't say what you are trying to do, create or accomplish.

Great free Lightroom tutorials are at "Adobe TV" starting with this short collection: http://tv.adobe.com/show/getting-started-with-adobe-photoshop-lightroom-5/

Better is to spend a little money and take a full "class" at Lynda.com: http://www.lynda.com/Lightroom-tutorials/Up-Running-Lightroom-5/124068-2.html

If you do decide to buy a month of time at Lynda.com (for $25) you can also take a course in Photomatix where one of the subjects in the first section is "Loading from Lightroom": http://www.lynda.com/Photomatix-tutorials/Up-Running-Photomatix-Pro/157513-2.html

Good luck!

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

You Tube! Look for Serge Ramalli excelent pfotograper. Subscribe to his tutorials. No need to buy his stuff there are lots of free vidos but hisare the best

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Yes! I should have known that free and random YouTube videos by various pros or amateurs are always a better way to learn complicated subjects. Why pay for quality when you can always get it free.

My point is that learning something as complex and powerful as Lightroom and Photomatix is going to be confusing if not done in organized steps. If you spend two or three days, maybe a week of evenings, in a Lynda.com (organized) class you will gain "understanding". Random YouTubes will provide you with random isolated skills that will take a lot of time to knit into knowledge.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Can't speak to Photomatix, but I'd bet YouTube has some videos that will help. As for LightRoom, the best I've found is a book titled Adobe Lightroom Classroom in a Book, available at Amazon, and other reputable sites.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I joined Lynda.com and I watch B&H videos. Good luck.

Kristoes

You are right, I should've been more specific, but the answers are actually helping. I'm now wading through various free LightRoom tutorials (both printed and video) and have been wondering if Lynda's are worth the money. It seems that the basic $25/mo is being recommended, if I can put in the time "up-front" rather than dragging it out over a year.

BTW, I'm surprised that the companies that create these programs don't do the best job of teaching, it is a form of product support. I used to teach at a university and part of your job is to incorporate the best teaching methods available.

Or, if it's really that difficult, why not make a deal with Lynda and offer it as a free package with the purchase of LightRoom? (Kind of like HP packages IRIS text reader when you purchase their scanners). I know it's all about money, so charge a couple bucks more and provide a better product.

I haven't yet purchased the Photomatix program, but I feel I need it for merging bracketed (true HDR) shots. I've become convinced that the Pro bundle is worth it (using the 15% off coupon). So I thought I'd ask for reviews in both program's tutorials at once.

Thanks

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

. . . which is why I recommend the Classroom in a Book Series. :-)

If you haven't, you might want to check out Adobe's Creative Cloud. For $9.95 monthly subscription, you get Lightroom and Photoshop (which is very capable as an HDR editor) and get tons of training videos in the deal.

Kristoes

Good suggestions.

I personally dislike the subscription concept, and I liken it to renting storage; after a couple of years you could have owned your own storage garage (real story for me). I don't think I need all of the bells and whistles of Photoshop versus Lightroom.

Aren't the "tons of training videos in the deal" the same tutorials I'm pulling off the LightRoom site for free?

Going off topic slightly, since I don't yet own Photomatix, why do most folks love it so much for Post Production? I thought one reason was it's ability to merge images without as much "ghosting", etc. as other programs.

Thanks

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I understand your sentiment. And if you're gonna use only LR, your probably better advised to buy it and forget CC. But, I'm confident you'll be paying for the upgrades when they come. It would be more of a difference if you were gonna use PS also. I bought PS/LR package for about $900, then the annual upgrades amounted to $200-300 for the both of them. Just the upgrades were more than the subscription is, and I don't have to wait for the upgrades to come. As soon as they are ready at Adobe, I get the download/install on my machine. PS has advanced more than LR since CC began. Since I plan to take pictures till I die, I'm gonna need something to work with them.

So, I have never used Photomatix. I hear (and have read) that it is very good if you are doing a lot of HDR stuff. It may be worth the investment. I don't think you'll find it useful for other types of photography, but I digress. As I say, I've never used it.

The guys at Kelby Training have touted PS for HDR work, and that's probably to be expected. But, they've done some really good stuff! Plus, I don't see a lot of comparisons of the two, but then, I haven't gone looking. Here's the thing, even beyond what LR will do for you, it wouldn't surprise me if you don't go looking for something that will take you to the next step. (Removing distracting power lines/people/objects from an otherwise very good photo, for example.) PS does that ever so nicely (much better than you'll be able to do in LR). It's a perfect companion to LR. And, hey! It does HDR! If you approach HDR as a specialty, and you feel you can gain from the functionality of Photomatix, then weigh that into the equation.

I haven't researched this, as it would take a while to do, but let me say that I regularly get email messages, obviously directed at Creative Cloud subscribers, listing videos that give some ideas of creativeness using these tools. Those that I've watched, I've never seen before, and I think I watched every single video at Adobe-TV when I first got LR. The videos listed in the message are geared toward creativity more so than product operation/setup type videos. (i.e. the Julienne Kost series) But, I'm sure that if you're new to Creative Cloud's products, there's a link in there that will take you to the Adobe-TV listing.

Just giving you some food for thought. Hope it helps, and sorry for being so long-winded.

Kristoes

Good advice from your perspective and experience, I appreciate thorough responses and explanations.
Very helpful, thanks

kurtinnj Loc: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

http://en.elephorm.com/lightroom-4-training/preferences-general-tab.html?autoPlay=true#vi...

Lightroom 4

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

brow3904 Loc: Upstate South Carolina

I recently watched a video from B&H on youtube which was very good for a new person with lightroom. Also, I found Anthony Morganti on youtube and he is excellent. His videos are short and concise but he covers everything very well. He also has a website: anthonymorganti.com and you can ask questions and he will answer them personally. Oh, and yes all of this is free. I like books but it sure helps when you can watch someone do what you need to do on screen. Hope this helps.

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
These are relevant for Lr5 as well, also I would endorse Serge Ramelli too