LIGHTROOM: I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but never learned how to use it. I would like to learn how to use it now but it appears quite challenging. I have seen tutorials...

Cryppy Loc: Gouldsboro, ME

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but never learned how to use it. I would like to learn how to use it now but it appears quite challenging. I have seen tutorials on YouTube but I learn best through 1-on-1 personalized teaching. I don't live near any major population areas so training is limited, but I have found 1 person within a hour's drive who advertises on WyzAnt that he teaches LR. I'm considering contacting him and paying $60/hour. At my learning pace I expect to require 5-6 sessions. Has anyone else out there been in a similar situation?

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Cryppy wrote:

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but nev... (show quote)

Go to you tube and try the Anthony Morganti tutorials. They are free and he does a good job explaining the processes.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

If we knew where you lived, there might be someone close by that can help...

Cryppy Loc: Gouldsboro, ME

Near Ellsworth, Maine.

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

Import some photos into Lightroom from wherever you store them on you computer and start playing with them. They will be in Library mode. Switch to Develop mode and play with the sliders. You can't do any damage to photos in Lightroom. All can be reversed or redone over and over. The Classroom in a Book series is excellent. Software is included so you can see how everything is done plus do the written exercises. You'll conquer the basics and more in no time at all. The biggest challenge you have is your fear of the challenge. Get your hands dirty!

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Cryppy wrote:

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but nev... (show quote)

There are lots of excellent free video tutorials on line at Adobe and you don't need to leave home to take advantage of them. Plus you can watch them when ever you like. There a tons of very good books on the subject, too.

dbeals Loc: Washington State

jethro779 wrote:

Go to you tube and try the Anthony Morganti tutorials. They are free and he does a good job explaining the processes.

I agree with the above post. I found this site full of information and this is coming from a teacher who has 34 years teaching experience. He has 51 separate classes that cost you nothing but your time. I believe his site is anthonymorganti.com

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Cryppy wrote:

Near Ellsworth, Maine.

That's out there -

Before you drive an hour and pay someone - check out these excellent training videos:
http://en.elephorm.com/lightroom-4-training/preferences-general-tab.html?autoPlay=true#vi...

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Cryppy wrote:

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but nev... (show quote)

Cryppy, I would recommend a book titled Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classroom in a Book. Start at the front of the book and work your way through. When finished, you'll be a Lightroom guru.

It sells for about $40 at a variety of places (Amazon has it). It's very well written and intuitive. Plus, it covers every small detail of Lightroom. You'll find it a great reference when you're finished reading it.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I just got the Tony Northrup Lightroom 5 book in Kindle format. It has about 9 hours of private youtube lessons embedded in it, so he shows you what he's talking about in the book. Been using Lightroom daily for over 2 years and he taught this old dog some new tricks. I agree that the Morganti videos are also very good. Good luck. Go into your profile and add your Indiana location, unless you really want to be in hiding! Again, hope you find the tips here helpful in your quest to get a grip on Lightroom.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I side with the people who suggest using YouTube tutorials. I find them easier to follow, and the book-led (do this, do that, and your results will be like ours) to be frustrating.

YouTube videos can be paused, rewound, examined, and replayed. If you don't like one tutor's approach, try another.

I've used Anthony Morganti, lynda.com, Serge Ramelli, and Julianne Kost. Search for them in YouTube, and be prepared to learn! :)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Just Fred wrote:

I side with the people who suggest using YouTube tutorials. I find them easier to follow, and the book-led (do this, do that, and your results will be like ours) to be frustrating.

YouTube videos can be paused, rewound, examined, and replayed. If you don't like one tutor's approach, try another.

I've used Anthony Morganti, lynda.com, Serge Ramelli, and Julianne Kost. Search for them in YouTube, and be prepared to learn! :)

We're all different. I have never been able to learn much from those videos but I can take a book and follow precisely. The books that helped me most were not the generic ones I usually see recommended (that are the size of an old fashioned dictionary) but little ebooks that targeted my interest, which is primarily landscape and were written by photographers whose work I admired.

Even rural areas often have a nearby community college that a course can be found at. And online courses with an instructor that provides feedback might also be an option.

The OP lives in coastal Maine not far from Acadia NP, which is a photographic hotbed even though it isn't an urban area. There should be some options nearby but they may have to be sought out. Hopefully someone else who lives up there will offer some knowledgeable guidance.

Cryppy Loc: Gouldsboro, ME

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. All the references to YouTube tutorials are a great help, and I'm also grateful for the strong guidance from Yooper 2 and Just Fred who, respectively, suggested I get my hands dirty and be prepared to learn. That's the guidance I would have given. My website, which I haven't updated in quite a long time, is: http://larrypetersonsmaine.com Feedback is welcome.

All I've been using for PP since I began this hobby is Picasa. I know it's high time I upped my game.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Before paying $60/hr try the following tutorial it's excellent and free. Just scroll down and start at the beginning.http://en.elephorm.com/tuto-lightroom-4-complete-training.html

Cryppy wrote:

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but nev... (show quote)

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Cryppy wrote:

I purchased Lightroom 4 almost 3 years ago but nev... (show quote)

Try this free site. It helped me a lot.

http://www.photokaboom.com/index_d_Lightroom.htm