Lightroom
Dec 25, 2011 19:11:48 #
I just got lightroom. However, the interface is different than I'm used to. What is the easiest or best way to start using lightroom.
Also, how do I use it if I have photos on external drives and DVD's.
I'm currently using Canon's DPP program and Photoshop 5. I normally don't do batch processing.
Also, how do I use it if I have photos on external drives and DVD's.
I'm currently using Canon's DPP program and Photoshop 5. I normally don't do batch processing.
Dec 26, 2011 00:03:51 #
Jer wrote:
I just got lightroom. However, the interface is different than I'm used to. What is the easiest or best way to start using lightroom.
Also, how do I use it if I have photos on external drives and DVD's.
I'm currently using Canon's DPP program and Photoshop 5. I normally don't do batch processing.
Also, how do I use it if I have photos on external drives and DVD's.
I'm currently using Canon's DPP program and Photoshop 5. I normally don't do batch processing.
It IS a bit different. The first thing you need to do if you have not done so already, is import your images from the external drive into LR. You don't really move the images into LR, but LR builds a catalog that references the images wherever they might be.
Then you have the Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, and Web modules. Library is the organizer and Develop is where you work on the images.
Your best bet is to get a book and start working though it. NO way can a forum be your resource. You need to study!
Nat Coalson has a great book and Scott Kelby does as well.
Dec 26, 2011 04:35:06 #
Will it set up separate catalogs for each of my different drives and DVD's? Or does it make one giant database? Actually, that is the one thing I really need to know.
Dec 26, 2011 09:55:23 #
snemetz
Loc: San Jose, California
It will setup one database. In it will be one catalog (All Photographs) and the folders you've imported will be shown seperately. You can create collections to organize groups of photos.
I do most of my organization by folders on disk and tags.
I do most of my organization by folders on disk and tags.
Dec 26, 2011 10:13:30 #
Actually you can set up different catalogs in LR. In the Library Module click on file and the first option is "New Catalog". This really isn't the place to get into all the details of catalogs, how they work and how to use them though. There is an excellent video on tv.adobe.com that will tell you what you need to know about setting up catalogs and even sharing them between computers. Just go to the site and search Lightroom tutorials. Learning LR can take a bit of time but it is well worth. Both of the books mentioned are good and Adobe offers a tons of excellent video tutorials on pretty much every major aspect.
Dec 26, 2011 11:25:49 #
Dec 26, 2011 11:32:33 #
Dido on the Photoshop Lightroom book by Scott Kelby!
I have been using lightroom for awhile and still learned many things from the book. It is very well written, step by step instructions and easy to learn from.
I have been using lightroom for awhile and still learned many things from the book. It is very well written, step by step instructions and easy to learn from.
Dec 26, 2011 11:40:15 #
Here is a link on setting up your lightroom with video instrucitons. Gives you different options on where you store your photos also.
http://thelightroomlab.com/2010/06/getting-started-right-adobe-photoshop-lightroom-3-setup-and-catalog-creation/
http://thelightroomlab.com/2010/06/getting-started-right-adobe-photoshop-lightroom-3-setup-and-catalog-creation/
Dec 26, 2011 13:47:36 #
Double dido on Scott Kelby book!!! Take the hard away..get it.It will be your go to program for 1st development.
Dec 26, 2011 18:53:31 #
Dec 26, 2011 19:45:55 #
laurashoe.com has a great 7 hour tutorial for about $40. It has helped me a lot in mastering Lightroom. Her website also has a lot of good free info.
Dec 26, 2011 22:59:48 #
snemetz wrote:
It will setup one database. In it will be one catalog (All Photographs) and the folders you've imported will be shown seperately. You can create collections to organize groups of photos.
I do most of my organization by folders on disk and tags.
I do most of my organization by folders on disk and tags.
Actually, you can set up multiple catalogs. I set up a separate catalog for each external drive. That way wherever the drive goes, the catalog goes with it.
If you set up one large database and a drive is missing, you can still access the photos but you won't be able to manipulate the photo.
Armand
Dec 27, 2011 00:32:42 #
I have been using Lightroom and CS5 for several years.
Two good sources for learning are;
Learn@DavidVanderlip.com . David is a professional photographer, formerly operated a photo lab and for over ten years has been teaching Photoshop and Lightroom. He has some DVD's and Books that are very easy to understand. look him up on the Net. he does consulting over the net.
Another Great learning source is Lynda.com. They have over 1000 courses on every kind of software you can need. I have suscribed for seveal years, its $25.00 / month, or $250.00 annual. The courses are professionally done, and very interesting.
The help screens that accompany the software are on point and very helpful.
Lightroom has the best catalog system "LIBRARY" which has awesome search capabilities.
I import all my images into Lightroom. As mentioned on another post today, the original RAW file is stored on your hard disk, or external. when imported into Lightroom
I set a master folder for each year, then I identify each image by year-day-month-name (i give it) and make that import a sub folder of that year. That will set the original images up on the Lightroom catalog in date taken order. using the dash connections makes it easier to create sub-sub folders. LR will keep track of which drive the file is on, you only need to have that drive active. The original image is not changed by Lightroom, and after processing in LR, you can edit in CS5, modify, print, and when you close the cs5 file it is saved back in LR. the modifications are database changes, kept in the LR catalog, and taggged to the original image. you can create as many versions you want, and select any of them for further use or printing.
The LR and CS5 use does require some learning, and some people prefer to use Photoshop Elements. it is "dumbed down" some, but it is easier and does most what sc5 does. I would not recommend using the Elements catalog system, since the LR is far far far superior.
Photoshop Elements 9 is much cheaper, and you can do a lot with it, but I find the LR/SC5 combination much bettter.
The Training sources mentioned above cover all these programs. good luck jim elderjim
Two good sources for learning are;
Learn@DavidVanderlip.com . David is a professional photographer, formerly operated a photo lab and for over ten years has been teaching Photoshop and Lightroom. He has some DVD's and Books that are very easy to understand. look him up on the Net. he does consulting over the net.
Another Great learning source is Lynda.com. They have over 1000 courses on every kind of software you can need. I have suscribed for seveal years, its $25.00 / month, or $250.00 annual. The courses are professionally done, and very interesting.
The help screens that accompany the software are on point and very helpful.
Lightroom has the best catalog system "LIBRARY" which has awesome search capabilities.
I import all my images into Lightroom. As mentioned on another post today, the original RAW file is stored on your hard disk, or external. when imported into Lightroom
I set a master folder for each year, then I identify each image by year-day-month-name (i give it) and make that import a sub folder of that year. That will set the original images up on the Lightroom catalog in date taken order. using the dash connections makes it easier to create sub-sub folders. LR will keep track of which drive the file is on, you only need to have that drive active. The original image is not changed by Lightroom, and after processing in LR, you can edit in CS5, modify, print, and when you close the cs5 file it is saved back in LR. the modifications are database changes, kept in the LR catalog, and taggged to the original image. you can create as many versions you want, and select any of them for further use or printing.
The LR and CS5 use does require some learning, and some people prefer to use Photoshop Elements. it is "dumbed down" some, but it is easier and does most what sc5 does. I would not recommend using the Elements catalog system, since the LR is far far far superior.
Photoshop Elements 9 is much cheaper, and you can do a lot with it, but I find the LR/SC5 combination much bettter.
The Training sources mentioned above cover all these programs. good luck jim elderjim
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