joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I've did a search and was overwhelmed with the number of posts on Lightroom. None that I looked at provided the info I was interested in. So here is the question to Lightroom users.

Can the catalog feature be turned off or worked around?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

It could be ignored. LR does not alter your original. Nor does it move it anywhere.

You could open LR, "Import" or register an image, use the Develop module and Export a new, top quality, image file in a choice of formats. You could follow that routine by deleting the registration in the catalog.

Your question is hard to understand. What are you trying to accomplish?

tsilva Loc: Arizona

No, that is the entire core purpose of Lightroom.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I suggest that the core purpose is to process, or improve, photos in the Develop module. The Library interface to the catalog and organization make getting your images in and out of the Develop module easier.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I prefer to use my own method of storing images. By doing it myself I know where everything is.

I like the KIS method and don't want clutter on my drives or in the registry.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Clearly, you don't understand the catalog portion of Lightroom. Lightroom does NOT move, or reorganize your photos. It does NOT prevent you from using whatever organizing method you prefer.

While my workflow may not be what everyone would select, it works well for me. I transfer all my photos from memory card to the desired folder on my computer, then import into Lightroom. If I decide I want to move any images to another folder, I use Lightroom to make that move. Have never had a problem.

If you haven't already, I'd really suggest you purchase Scott Kelby's book on Lightroom -- very well written, concise, easy to follow and thorough.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Of course I don't understand the catalog that's why I asked the question. Thanks for the input. I may try it but I'm not keen on reading how to books.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I think I could live with Frapha's method of handling files.

I hope I'm not boring some of you with simple questions but I try to do research before I buy into something.

I use CS6 with several plug-ins and all of Nikons programs as well as the editors that come with windows.

Is there anything LR CC would give me that I couldn't do with the existing programs.

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

Can't imagine why you would want to do that. You would be best advised to learn the catalog from someone who has been there and done that. You will be better off in the long run. Otherwise don't bother with LR and just use Photoshop/Bridge/ACR - the raw converter has exactly the same functionality and you can use Bridge as a browser instead of the LR catalog. This is less efficient if all you do is photography, more efficient if you also use the rest of Adobe's software as a graphic artist.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Ya gotta love this misconception ;)

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks Gene51, your input is always welcome and to the point.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Lightroom CC would give you updates and upgrades as long as you maintain your subscription, as well as Photoshop CC of course.... With Lightroom 6 things started changing between the CC version and the standalone, for example, Lightroom CC has a haze filter, the stand alone does not. As time goes on I suspect that more features will probably be added to the CC version and not to the stand alone.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks Donald.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

LR thinks like "old school" photographers. We kept their film negatives in careful filing systems. We created proof sheets of each roll of film and kept them in binders with notes. When we printed we would add to the notes with exposure times, develop times, burns, dodges, etc. In other words, we kept a manual data base of our work.

LR uses the Library, and its computer catalog, like our old notebooks. It records were the original is and never changes the original....just like negatives. When you shift an image to the Develop module you can make your burning, dodging, cropping, etc changes. They are recorded in the catalog just like the notes we kept. They are not recorded on the original just like we would not write on a negative.

We used to only make paper prints and duplicates based on our notes. LR will make those prints, but also make the other forms of display we now can use.

The LR catalog and Library will retain your strong folder based organization system. It may enhance it with being able to add notes, tags and ratings to your already strong system.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Here are some training videos and stuff that explain LR -
A couple of good ones on the catalog -

Hope this helps...

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user_page.jsp?upnum=1402