NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I finally got my new Mac Book Pro and am turning my iMac and the entire den over to my wife. I had been working in Aperture which I grew increasingly less fond of. So, to get away from Aperture I bought PSE 11. Then I read on the hog that the organizing capabilities of Lightroom were not to be missed. Needing order in my photo life more than anything, I bought LR 5. I'm installing them both on the new computer, but don't know which to concentrate on first. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Brenda IS Scottish Loc: GOLDEN Colorado

Work with lightroom first. It has quite a few editing tools available in it to. I HIGHLY suggest you watch some of the youtube videos on the cataloging. It is an extremely strong catalog manager and I was told it can handle hundreds of thousands of photos.

The key to file management is in the initial import process (you import the files into the lightroom catalog.) This way if you do any editing to the file in lightroom, you can always go back to your original - nondestructive editing.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

LR

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Quonnie, Lightroom is more of an organizer and a lightweight PP program. Many aren't happy with it since it has no layers or compositing tools.
Is Aperture the Nikon program? If so I assume it's much like the canon PP program. LR is like Aperture but will offer much more precise control. But if your tired of Aperture, you may be looking for more heavy duty tools. If you want to add things to your fotos or take things out, LR won't do that. Not to mention the price difference. Get the free downloads for each and try them for yourself. I will say LR is much easier to learn though.
Good luck. SS

hikercheryl Loc: Madison, NC

I agree too. Download using Lightroom. Learn to use it to do the initial editing. Then learn to use Elements as you need it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

:thumbup:

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

SS Aperture is an Apple program that works with I photo.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I recommend first getting Kelby's books on both.

Then, although I learned the other way around, I'd probably agree that starting with Lightroom will be easier. I started with Elements 10 and was frustrated with it for three months till I got Kelby's book. Elements 11 is better...but I can't tell how much because now I know how to work it fine.

Most people with both use Lightroom for 90% of their work and Elements or Photoshop only when layers or other features such as Panoramas are needed. I now have both Photoshop and Elements and usually use Photoshop but when time comes for upgrades I'll go back to Elements for that part of the work.

Unlike most I have a high regard for the Organizer in Elements so if you didn't have either I'd have suggested getting Elements first.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I believe you nailed it. Start with Lightroom, this where you will want to import your photos. After Lightroom if you need something from Elements LR will export the photo Elements. When finished in Elements export the Photo back to LR where it will apper alongside the original photo. Elements is intended to supplement LR. Not the other way around. ;)

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Lightroom... And, Adobe has great training videos online to get you started. Great choice!! :thumbup:

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Absolutely do lightroom first. i think Julianne Kost? has excellent videos on lightroom. Also I love Hal Schmitt's Trainning on lightroom 4.http://en.elephorm.com/tuto-lightroom-4-complete-training.html It cost $50 for forever access.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

:thumbup: :thumbup:

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I'm not letting you guys get away with this one. Elements can do way more things than lightroom. Elements also has additional capabilities that are native to lightroom. If you open a photo in Elements using Adobe Camera Raw, you will have about 80% of Lightroom's functions, period. Most people who use Lightroom do not go beyond these functions anyway. Elements also has a cataloging feature much like lightroom, So there you have it. I will even give you a tip: Even though the healing brush in Lightroom 5 is much improved over earlier versions, the healing brush in Elements is much easier and quicker to use.

I do have Lightroom 5 along with CS6 and Elements 10. I upload my photos to Lightroom, work them there and then go into CS6 for final processing. The only reason I have Elements is to emulate and know what people who have Elements are talking about. Elements has about 90% of what CS6 has therefore, making Elements the best of all worlds.

I would say start with elements then if you so desire, get Lightroom. They compliment one another. Lightroom does not have all of those wonderful, additional tools that you will find in Elements and want to use. Just my 2 cents worth.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I have both lightroom and elements and for organizing photo go with lightroom. I've had elements mix up pictures. There is a reason why so many professional photographers use lightroom. On the other hand i've never used ACDC or other management programs.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I voted for LR as the first program to learn because it has the better (in my opinion) filing system. LR also provides at least 90% of the editing capabilities needed. If more is needed, like adding text or cloning, then do that in Elements. JMHO... :mrgreen: