Which is best for an enthusiast Photo Shop or Lightroom (Page 4): Stu - in photography language I believe that "Enthusiast" is only one step behind "professional". I would guess that...

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

Stu - in photography language I believe that "Enthusiast" is only one step behind "professional". I would guess that the likes of you and I, although we are enthusiastic, are not what the industry understands by "enthusiasts". I only post this to avoid confusion - if I am wrong then I am confused. Many "enthusiasts" are full-framers with $$,$$$ worth of equipment and software, and are only not pros because they don't wannabee. :-) Most of them are good sports - ready and willing to help us serious (or otherwise) hobbyists. :thumbup:

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

burkphoto wrote:

... in part...The combination of LR and PS is the preferred standard set of WORKFLOW tools for professional photographers.

Always was, is, and always will be... Adobe 3:16 ": whosoever believeth in Photoshop should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Burkphoto, I do not disagree with you. ... is it a thing like clocks always run clockwise when counter clockwise would tell time just as accurately? It just is? Something that is stated over and over again and is thus burned in to the minds of every one that photoshop at 10x the price is THE WAY to Go Pro.

Thombar Loc: Hominy, OK

Hi Stu - As a photographer in the same situation I would recommend the Adobe PS CC $9.99 a month deal. Very reasonable price and you get both with free updates. Be warned however, there is a learning curve with both programs and it is never ending. :D I'm pretty sure you can get a one month trial to see if you like it before you commit to the full year subscription. If you want to buy just one program then I would probably chose LR for the most editing choices and easier learn. PS is a much more extensive and costly program but boy you can sure do some neat things with it.

crissx09 Loc: FL-USA

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

Spend $ 90.00 ONLY ONCE in Adobe Photoshop Elements and you will have ALL you need for your photography plus. The learning curve for Photoshop Elements
is not hard and, I am sure, you will be very happy with it. I have PSE 10 and I am sure the last version is as good at least as the mine.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I highly recommend photo shop elements (as have others!); I regularly use it with its built-in Adobe Camera Raw. It may be all you need without having to buy Lightroom.

boncrayon

I agree that Photoshop has a giant learning curve, and costs a bundle by itself, but you can use any of its multiple functions and learn upward for what else it can do for your photos. I work in it often, and can do some marvelous things, as does one of my friends who is a Master Photographer.

But if you are budgeted for Light Room to start up digital adjustments for your professional eyes, it is a powerful, though easier version of the Adobe lines for the photographer. As an "enthusiast" it sounds like you are deeper into the digital realm. If you are an "expanded enthusiast" and invest-capable, then Photoshop will continue to offer you options you have never dreamed of for the "creative" mind, some of which are outside the box.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photoshop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

I just got the PS & LR bundle 1 month ago. It's taken me awhile to get around in Lightroom and find Photoshop totally intimidating.
But it is there when I'm ready to tackle it. Lightroom does most of the basics that I need.
I also got Topaz Detail3 which finishes off what I can't do in Lightroom. Love that combo.
Craig

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

If you tend to only shoot in JPEG, you probably don't need something as advanced as Photoshop. You could use Lightroom which has global adjustments for various things that are real easy to use. And if you want to do more, there is Photoshop Elements. Or you can only use Photoshop Elements. Or even one of the free applications already mentioned.

If you want to work in RAW, Lightroom is very good with RAW. And there are some really good programs that work with Lightroom. I like the NIK series especially. But Photoshop Elements will reduce those 16bit images down to 8bits when you open layers. It is purposely crippled in order to protect its big brother.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

dirtpusher wrote:

one theory..

http://digital-photography-school.com/photoshop-versus-lightroom-which-is-right-for-you/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Really good article and GOOD help...

It is a wee bit L O N G .. However, This explains things well.

(((One Side Note to = dirtpusher.... I really like Your avaitar.))) See attached ;-)

Dave Crumb - The Mister Natural

MtnMan Loc: ID

jcboy3 wrote:

PS Elements is only 8-bit for most tools, so if you shoot RAW and want to preserve the bit depth, it is no good.

This statement is incorrect. You can and should always keep your original files intact.

Photoshop Elements is actually three programs. The one you use for editing RAW files is Adobe Camera RAW. It is the same one you get with full Photoshop and works on up to 16 bits.

You don't need more than 8 bits to create stunning final images.

I think Elements 13 might even enable 16 bits in the Editor but I'm not sure. As noted I don't think that matters.

Elements 13 has recently been on sale for as low as $39.

Elements has a learning curve also. I had some troubles with the earlier version and Scott Kelby's book on it saved me after three months of pain. The newer versions are easier but I can no longer judge how much because I've learned it.

I think Lightroom would be much easier as a first program.

You can use either full Photoshop or Elements with Lightroom to do things requiring layers and other things not available in Lightroom.

The subscription is what I'd do today...but note you have to sign up for a full year. If money is most important I recommend Elements 13.

twowindsbear

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?

Thanks
Stu

GIMP. It's free and seems to be as powerful as Photoshop

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I love Photoshop. I have had two different versions of Lightroom and did not like it. Much more limited than Photoshop and very intrusive, wants to control your workflow too much. Reminds me of the Norton programs which I also deleted. You might also try the latest version of Elements which is a great program that you may never outgrow. Does most of what Photoshop does for much less.

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

If you want to own a pretty good combo then buy LR5 and get PSE13 or as suggested, get the $10/month LR/Photoshop for photographers cloud subscription.

unclestu wrote:

If this is in the wrong section please accept my apology. I feel that i need to get some sort of software to use for editing and correcting my photos and doing some creaative things in the computer. I see a lot mentioned about two different products. Photo Shop and Lightroom. I am not a pro photographer with a large nuber of photos to process. This is just my hobby. Which do you think would be best for a person such as myself, Photo Shop or Lightroom?
Thanks
Stu

TheDman Loc: USA

MtnMan wrote:

This statement is incorrect. You can and should always keep your original files intact.

You don't need more than 8 bits to create stunning final images.

??? So you're actually agreeing that PSE operates in 8 bit.

Frankly, I do need more than 8 bits, as 16 bit doesn't create gradations and gaps in my histogram when I add curves or levels.

As an aside, I keep seeing the phrase "all you need" in multiple threads right now, and I've always found that mildly offensive. It's like saying "Good photographers need this, but you? Heck, you don't need that much.". How does anyone but me know what I need? Frankly, I need the best. Of everything. Good enough isn't good enough, or else why did I spend lots of money on a DLSR and good lenses?

I've always thought it peculiar when I see people not wanting to spend time in PP. To me that's the same as not wanting to carefully compose my shots. If they need PP to be their best, then why would you not do that? Don't you want your photos to be the best they can be? Are there any painters out there who don't want to spend more than 1/2 hour on a painting, or get halfway done with a painting and say "That's good enough. It's all I need."? Ridiculous.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

dirtpusher wrote:

one theory..

http://digital-photography-school.com/photoshop-versus-lightroom-which-is-right-for-you/

It does not really detail the differences including superior selection tools, Content aware fill, which is an incredible tool by itself which the author groups as pixel editing which in my opinion is a very important part of my workflow.

The chart represents everyone who post process but another hogger reported that 65% of all professional photographers work exclusively in photoshop.

The learning curve is just that, learning. But you will find your community and state colleges offering courses in PS but rarely LR. PS is accepted and transferable by many universities. It is found everywhere.