pecohen Loc: Central Maine

I'm a long-time PSP user and a less-long-time Raw Therapee user but I'm considering a move to the Cloud. A major worry I have is that import/catalog function in Lightroom. I'm pretty comfortable with managing my own file-based cataloging system. I don't feel entirely comfortable with the idea of some software taking over this job and perhaps, at some later date, mystifying me about where my images have disappeared to. It also concerns me that I will be taking on a big maintenance job of having to assign key-words and comments on all of my images.

Should I be worried about these things?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lightroom works for me.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Many ways to answer this need...

1) Above all else, the latest version of your camera manufacturer's software will give you the most accurate color conversion, because the color science in it and the camera will be an exact match. This has been proven time and again by panels of professionals testing the camera manufacturer's software against Lightroom, Capture One, etc.

Install the disc that came with your camera, and update it with the latest version, downloaded from your camera manufacturer's web site.

Unfortunately, the camera manufacturer's supplied software usually SUCKS at workflow! That's why MOST of the other tools were invented.

2) Lightroom OR Photoshop can convert your raw files. Both use the same raw converter — Adobe Camera Raw (ACR).

Lightroom is made to be the general purpose workflow tool. First and foremost, it is an IMAGE DATABASE, then a cull editor, raw converter, web posting tool, printing tool, and more.

Photoshop is a pixel editor with tons of features for image manipulation (retouching, layering, masking, text, color separations, and a LOT more). Over 26 years in the making, Ps has tons of tools.

Many professionals and advanced enthusiasts use this pair together... We spend most of our time in Lightroom, and visit Photoshop only when an image requires its tools.

3) Capture One, while not quite the workflow tool that is Lightroom, is still a great program, and it does produce very good raw conversions.

4) Paint Shop Pro is another one...

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I use PSE & LR it depends on what you like to do in PP, I only try to enhance the image as I see it in my minds eye. If your into artistic you'll need something else.

AzShooter1 Loc: Surprise, Az.

CS 6 or Elements 14 Premium.

I really like using the Bridge in CS 6. You can see the pics instead of just a file name as in Elements.

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

Different strokes for different folks, I say use the one I use

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have Olympus bodies and Nikon bodies. When I shoot RAW I edit according to the camera I use.
It will be Olympus Viewer 3 for Olympus files and Capture NX2 for Nikon files.
I do not use Photoshop or Lightroom for my RAW files any longer but both programs are very good for editing.

TheDman Loc: USA

Then don't use those things and just use ACR/Photoshop.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Check this thread out on DxO.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-410934-1.html#6908185

kd7eir Loc: Tucson, AZ

Lightroom does not move your images - "import" is just the process of making a catalog of all your images. This catalog then contains pointers to the original physical location of your images. The problem with Lightroom, for me anyway, is that if you do virtually anything to your images outside of Lightroom, it can seem to lose it's mind.

I personally find it clunky and amateurish in it's file handling algorithms, others obviously disagree with me. The KEY to using Lightroom is to NEVER touch your images outside of Lightroom - once you start using it, you need to be 100% committed to it. EVERYTHING you do with your images needs to start in Lightroom.

People also get confused and backup their Lightroom catalogs thinking they are backing up their images, when all you are backing up is a database that says "picture X is located here on the hard drive" NOT your actual images. When using Lightroom you need to backup it's catalog as well as your images, effectively doubling your backup tasks.

If you have a system this is working for you now, I personally see no reason to toss it in the trash and tie yourself to Lightroom.

I use DxO OpticsPro 11 - it gives me all the tools I need and it does not try to become lord and master over my images. I can open an individual image or an entire directory at will, no need to sit around waiting to "import" anything. If you want to edit a single image in Lightroom, you have to "import" that image FIRST, THEN Lightroom will ALLOW you to edit it.

glenmarshall

When I started photography over 40 years ago, I invested a lot in a darkroom and spent a lot on film, paper, chemicals, etc. Lightroom & Photoshop are the equivalent in the digital world.

After having a lot on new digital camera gear, and now spending time and money on trips to capture photos, the $120/year subscription for Lightroom & Photoshop is comparatively cheap. The availability of training materials, online tips & techniques, and various add-ons adds to the value.

pahtspix

Adobe Photoshop cc2015.5..Hands Down!

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

Clearly it is possible to rent Lightroom and just not use it.

But what I was trying to find out is whether my concerns about Lightroom had any validity; in particular whether I have to turn over management of my images to Lightroom, locking me into using it forever.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

No, not at all, your photographs are still in your computer the way you set them up.

kd7eir Loc: Tucson, AZ

True, but do anything to an image outside of Lightroom, such as moving it, and it loses it's mind. Lightroom most definitely takes over your images. DxO OpticsPro 11 could not care less if I move an image - double-click on the image and I'm editing in seconds.