bud 77 Loc: Long Beach, WA

I am a long time user of Elements and am quite comfortable using it. I have had several people tell me I should be using light room. My question is, does anyone have a recommendation for a tutorial for Light room and Photoshop CC ? Question number two. Is lightroom that much better than Elements? I see comments from folks that say I can do 90% in Light room and finish it in Elements for Layers and think Why not just do it in Elements. I don't mind learning a new program but I would like to make some gains. Okay lets hear it. bud

Terrym9 Loc: Hillsboro, Oregon

I have used elements much longer than lightroom, was not sure I wanted to use lightroom. However in trying it I found that it does some things much easier than elements. I think I still do more with elements, but I definitely start with lightroom on most pictures. I do a much better job of adjusting light uding the various tools, seems like especially the elliptical masking tool {not sure if that's the correct name). also lens calibration, sharpening are also easy.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Whenever someone tells me what I SHOULD be using, I cringe.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You can use whatever you are comfortable with. I think that LR is the easiest "digital developer" going, so I tend to recommend it. The learning curve is very short, and it's powerful.

I also don't think that any "finishing" is necessary (like folks say a lot) I think that getting as much done correctly in camera is the best remedy for not having to spend a bunch of time post processing. (not that it's never necessary or that I think it's evil or something)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I think that Lightroom is fantastic. I learned a lot from the "Classroom in a book" series. It is available for Photoshop CC and Lightroom. You can google it and find it in amazon.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Lightroom is a professional quality catalog based digital asset manager, that has a top shelf raw converter and no pixel-level editing capability.

PSE is an entry-level 8 bit jpeg editor with a lightweight version of the raw converterr in LR, (or ACR in Photoshop), and it uses a file browser to look at and sort your images. - They are not the same.

Learning to use LR means shooting raw for maximum benefit, and using it to do basic edits - parametrically - or rules based, to the entire image or images if you do batch work. Then you finish the editing process in Photoshop. It is better and your results will be considerably better, especially as your skills improve. If you are comfortable with PSE, the PS interface will be similar, but more robust - and you can maintain a 16 bit workflow from LR to final edits - reducing the image to 8 bit only for output to print, email or social media.

There is no one tutorial that will help. There are far too many features, functions and tools between both programs - and you are not going to learn everything overnight. Or even a year. But you will learn what you need to know th enhance the image to your liking pretty quickly. There are many tutorials, videos etc for free and by subscription that you can look at.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

The organization in lightroom is much better than elements. I stopped using elements when they mixed up pictures which I can't explain.The following tutorial is for Lightroom 4, but it,s excellent and it's now free. Just scroll down-don't pay!http://en.elephorm.com/tuto-lightroom-4-complete-training.html

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

I have found that YouTube has a wealth of information. Punch in your question. Many and varied tutorials.

mldavis2

Is Elements doing the job for you? If so, why add expense and complexity and confusion to your polished workflow? Do you need constant minor changes and bug fixes? Are you ready and willing to begin endless payments to maintain your "subscription" or lose access?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Oh god, will you ever change your sad song . . . You never pass up an opportunity to spout your bs. We get it, you hate software subscriptions - so just use a little "transparency" and say so, or better yet, send the poster a PM so we don't have to read your flawed and biased opinion over and over again.

mldavis2

I have replied to these constant streams of redundant questions from new members of the 'hog regarding CC because there seems to be an aversion on the part of some in particular, to defend Adobe's pay-forever marketing. While extolling the virtues of CC, why is it that some NEVER seem to mention the fact that a commitment to this software entails an ongoing monthly payment, failure of which disables the product? Awareness of that fact is certainly not evident in the OP and is a major consideration to making an informed decision which was the original question.

The truth and nothing but the truth, but never the whole truth, as a politician or salesman would reply to a question. I am equally sick and tired of being criticized for my attempts at transparency when I ask questions aimed at helping a newcomer decide if they want to start down the slippery slope.

I hope there are others here who will pick up the gauntlet and let the world know there are other, cheaper and often better editors out there for their specific needs. I'm through with this constant defense of rental schemes and I'll unsubscribe from this Adobe fanboy gathering. My apologies to those who fall into the rental trap and suffer the problems associated with cessation of payments in the months and years ahead.

Don't bother to respond - I'm no longer here.

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Agree with everything Gene said.
Also take a look at http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html
This series of videos is an excellent place to start with Lightroom. Also, Lightroom is available independent of the Creative Cloud. You can find it at Adobe, B&H and many other sellers offer it as well. ;)

steveg48

Hi Gene,
I am a satisfied LR and Photoshop CC user. Although you are probably right about LR not bring a pixel level editor, it comes awfully close sometimes. As you become more proficient in Lightroom, you can do more there and less in Photoshop (depending on the image). I, like you, usually go into PS on most images. Here is an example of a LR technique that is like using a mask in PS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypUUCT7XFQ&feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypUUCT7XFQ&feature=player_embedded
Steve

bud 77 Loc: Long Beach, WA

Thank you Gene51 for your well thought out reply. I will get started on light room. I know there many study video for light room and Photoshop CC. Just got a new camera and had to read a couple of aftermarket books on it. I was using elements 12 and could not open my RAW files. I see an advantage in the monthly rental fee because of the constant upgrades and the program will last for a long time. bud