Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

I see your evaluation as an example of why there are as many ways to accomplish a task as there are goals and intentions of users. I cut my early PP teeth on PS, back in the very early days and never felt my casual use of it took my shots to a higher level, beyond the very basics, and not without much effort. (Note I did say casual). With LR, for me, I was able to do more and accomplish my goal more efficiently than I had with PS. Particularly, the non-destructive element gave me a certain sense of security. I freely admit I am more serious about my photography now than then (maybe age related?) I also dabble with Topaz and other software, each having their own appeal to me. Often, my shot will go from Bridge to Topaz, to LR to Photoshop, if the situation warrants. As a fairly jejune processor, I value the fact that there are choices we all can make, as we evaluate our individual needs, wants and desires for our photography. I would recommend that Galaxycat download trials of all the popular programs for editing and see what strikes her fancy. In regards to my current dilemma, I will continue to try for a solution, as failure for me is often a good motivator.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Einreb92, hopefully you saw an earlier comment about double-checking the file types being imported where one post said they had a problem with video in their mass-import. May not apply to your situation, but it might be a tip to help you find the needle in your haystack for what is causing the problem.

cmc65

I have been following this thread with interest because I just received my 12t external hard drive yesterday with the full determination to re organize my Lightroom ( which I made a mess of through ignorance) and moving all my photos off of my iMac to the externals. The weekend will be spent watching tube for the correct process to end up with the new photos going directly to the external drives and then processing them with Lightroom. I have maxed out my internal 3t fushion drive and left myself with a mess. The external consists of two 6t drives. I'm hoping to be able to load to one and have it automatically backup to the second. As to the second issue brought up by another poster, in my opinion starting with elements is a great way to learn the tools and terminology of pp. then when necessary it's an easier transition to go on to the complexity of photoshop.

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

Thank you. I did indeed and will investigate that as well. Thanks for your other suggestion and info. I have my weekend project cut out for me. I WILL figure it out and report back, in case someone else is having the same issue.

cmc65

"NEED HELP with Lightroom" should be a club. It would have many members.

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

Ha ha! Truth! I would be a charter member. Actually, I just remembered I joined a site exclusive to LR that has very knowledgeable folks. I will mosey on over there to see what they say. Lightroomforums.net

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

I have to agree with your suggestion that the new user would benefit from starting with Photoshop Elements. I have recommended that to many in the past. PSE to PSCC makes good sense to me. I began using PS with version 2.5 back in the very early 1990's. I have since progressed through every update from that time on. Perhaps my opinion is skewed by my having had the benefit of a very gradual and consistent exposure to PS from its early stages to the present. I do think PSE might provide a less stressful introduction before going to PSCC. Thanks for the reminder.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I assume you have followed the instruction on the Adobe forum, see https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/help/import-iphoto.html. If so, one other suggestion you might want to change the energy parameters in Settings to not not allow the computer to sleep during the process. Please let us know how you resolve the issue.
Good luck.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

If you have not already done it, try seeking some advice at the Adobe sponsored user forum. There are some exceptional experts there.

https://forums.adobe.com/community/lightroom/lightroom-classic-cc

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That is another good place to get it figured out.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Any software you decide to use requires a learning curve. Many of today's software packages are fashioned after Photoshop; I think when staff jumped ship from Adobe they set out on their own to start up a new program. I use LR and PS among other programs. The Macphun programs, now called Skylum Software as they are branching out to PC users, might be a good way to go for you. Another Photoshop-like program that is easier to use than PS is Affinity. Go to the web sites and download the trial copies, normally it is for 30 days, and see if the software works for you. The problem most people have with LR is using the Library Module, which is a wonderful module that allows you to easily and quickly manage thousands of photos. If you were to read the LR manual on the Library Module first, prior to ever starting an LR catalog, you would have an understanding of how it works and most likely you would be able to easily manage the program. The most difficult part of that module, or so it seems, is the import panel and this is mostly because people don't pay attention upon importing photos and then they have no idea where their photos were imported to. This is not the fault of the program but instead the inability of the user to comprehend what is happening. Read the manual, take a class, get a few private instruction lessons and you, like many of us, will end up loving what the program can do for you.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Actually I have moved from an existing catalog to a new catalog with my thousands of photos and it took 30 minutes. So, not too awfully long and no problems when I did it. Of course, the photos were not being moved, only re-directed.

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

"I follow the prompts and when the count get to about 28%, the thing stalls."


From this description and some of he comments, I would consider that the problem is not related directly to LR, but an inadequacy of either RAM or available disk space.

LR is capable of handling enormous amounts of data - it needs adequate headroom to function.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Adding to Connie's remarks, I'd suggest too using utube videos to learn more about any of the free trial downloads. The video options run the full gamut from the excellent, pay-for professional quality to the too fast and too hard to understand. But for the most part, they're free to you as the authors are paid by advertising sponsors rather than your payment fees to watch. When you find somebody good and preferably free, check our their other videos on the same software. They're an excellent supplement to the written manual.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Actually LR and PS are two very different programs, although PS does offer within its software almost the same tools for editing, with Camera RAW, that LR does and they both function in almost the same manner when it comes to editing. In fact, many of their algorithms are exactly the same for the editing process. What LR can give you, that PS cannot, is an excellent Digital Asset Management program. This D.A.M., called the catalog, allows someone to find a specific photo within minutes and can save much time when working with thousands of photos; the software makes it very easy to batch process photos and all of the photos are directly in front of the user without going to another program to access them. Once someone understands how the catalog functions using the program becomes easier, although any program takes hours upon hours to learn well. Affinity is also a nice PS-like program and I think it might be easier for the new user to learn.