Silvermeteor Loc: South Carolina, USA

While not a new image this might give you some idea of what can be accomplished in Lightroom alone.

This was posted on my FB page for repairs to warbird images.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/814163235294848/

(Download)

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I know lightroom is very popular. I recently had Lightroom v6 but my computer crashed and I lost it. I now have Paintshop Pro X7 Ultimate and I strongly suggest that you take a look at Corel's Paintshop Pro before you decide to purchase Lightroom. IMHO, Paintshop Pro X7 Ultimate is better than Lightroom and a FAR better value. You can get Paintshop Pro on Amazon or B&H photo. I'm certain you'll be pushed towards lightroom because of its popularity, but do yourself a big favor and check out Paintshop Pro X7 Ultimate before you make a decision

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

The OP may not have been aware of other pp programs that are on par or in some cases superior to Lightroom. Lightroom like most of Adobe's programs is highly marketed and popular but there are viable alternatives that one can examine before being herded into a purchase decision based on popularity.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

He specifically mentioned Lightroom and am sure he was aware of the fact that there were many other programs. . It can get very confusing when pages and pages of individual's programs are touted as their favorites.

JimEaco

Whatever floats your boat:
I am from the get it as good as possible in camera and use PP as needed, crowd.

I watch (someone I care deeply for) a much different approach and am convinced that there are many ways to get to the finished product:
She will use a D78100 or d5000 with reasonable (not outrageously good) lens and shoot in Auto. Gets very satisfactory results and then goes into Photoshop (Not Lightroom) and makes them outstanding.
So, she is a wizard in Photoshop and has Lightroom available, she has equipment available (faster heavier lens, FF bodies) and could care less about learning in-camera technique.

Is she wrong?

Am I wrong to want to do more 'in-camera' ?

If you enjoy working at the computer more than working the camera then PP will be your joy...
If you enjoy working in the field and getting it right in the camera, then PP will be your friend, but the joy will be when you handle the camera.

You are retired: follow your joy.

I get great pleasure improving my skill in working the camera and lens, the computer (regardless of program) is to me a (necessary evil? Ha HA) wonderful additional tool.

Watching my friend it is apparent the camera is simply a needed tool to get her back to her joy which is Post Processing. She does not want to process for others, just what she shoots.

I would be just as happy to hand over my memory card; actually, for Many years I have done just that.
With film, it was the lab or the clients lab.
In digital, I still do a ton of shooting and never even see the images on a monitor. The memory card gets copied to a secure server and I never see it again, I get a new blank memory card in return.
And I'm fine with that.
I'm satisfied that they keep calling me back, so whatever I'm doing is working; been shooting 'blind' since 1972.
I like shooting.

What do you like? Then decide if you want to learn software or learn technique. Or both!

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Thanks Tracy. Hopefully.
Havent been in a classroom situation since school.
The course is 13 weeks and out of a full enrollment (60 students), about 1/3rd are overseas students paying about NZ$4000 each.
As a NZer I qualify for a free course under 'continuing education'.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Thanks Mac.
Never too old to learn. Hopefully :idea:

Lovin' retirement Loc: Middletown, New Jersey

Thanks so very much. You have presented both views and clarified for me what I really want to be able to achieve is a good understanding of my D5100, the concepts of photography and to create the best photos I possible can in camera. PP is something I want to be able to do but it is not primary. Thanks again for helping me to focus.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Well now we don't have to assume that the op is aware of other pp programs we can be certain that op is. The op's most recent post doesn't seem to indicate that there's any confusion resulting from the input of others in this thread. Hopefully op has gained some knowledge from responses to his question since there's been diversity of thought posted and that's a good thing.

jaddottart Loc: Florida

Learn to shoot and compose with the camera.Play with your photo's with Picasa.com. And when you are ready to graduate.Rent P.S, and lightroom.......And BEFORE you put any of your pictures into lightroom..........BEFORE............. CHECK OUT TERRY WHITE ON YOUTUBE "how to setup L.R."...getting started with lightroom.ten things you must know..A lot of people get L.R. can't wait to get their pic's into the program,then can't find them and really are messed up........Good Luck...

Lovin' retirement Loc: Middletown, New Jersey

Thanks Jaddottart, sounds like good advice!