jhalter

I currently use photoshop elements 14. I see there is a ferr trial for lightroom. Two questions: how does lightroom compare to elements both in terms of capability and in ease of use; and second, if I take the free trial of lightroom and decide I don't want it, does it cause any problems going back and using my current elements?

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

No issues with continuing to use Elements should you later decide against LightRoom.

Elements is a subset of the functionality provided in Photoshop. Lightroom's purpose in life is to allow the photographer to organize their images in a comprehensive way, but it also runs the Adobe Camera Raw software, which allows for significant editing of the image. It is not for the feint of heart, in that, you'll need to take some time to learn what LR does, then how it does it. I always recommend some sort of aid for doing that in the form of training. I used the book Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classroom in a Book, available at Amazon and others, and highly recommend it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

2nd question first: no conflict. The Adobe software installs "along side" existing versions of the same products leaving them both in place. Different products also have no risk. Personally, I find LR much for efficient and easier to use than any version of PhotoShop. But, I never spent much effort learning PS/PSE where I did find & review LR training modules from u-tube. Regarding "power", it depends on your needs. Most editing / post processing does not require complex actions based on layers. Ask yourself when was the last time you needed to remove / replace some aspect of an image? LR is focused on the needs of 99% of photographers and 99% of their usage needs.

Following Bruce's comment, PS or PSE can be used as a plug-in from LR. That is, if your edit work does need a PS/PSE tool, you can perform your "normal" PP workflow in LR and then take the LR result and launch PS/PSE as the editor, complete the complex action and return the results to LR.

ggttc Loc: TN

I use PSE 14....a great program.

Based on the number of "Help me with Lightroom" posts on here I wouldn't even think about it.

Just my opinion...

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

PSE has a "baby" version of the raw editor (ACR) in Lightroom. Lightroom is not intended for finished images, any more than ACR is. If you use the raw editor in PSE, working with Lighroom's editor will be easy. Same commands, different (faster and easier) layout.

Most people get really stuck on the catalog feature - they try to use LR like a file browser - and that is when all hell breaks loose. It is not a file browser, nor can you right click on a file in Finder or Windows Explorer and open it with LR. But this is the topic of a class or series of classes on how to best use Lightroom. Downloading the trial without some guidance will guarantee that you will end up hating it. With guidance, you'll wonder what took you so long to try it.

You may want to join a local photo club - LR is popular and you will likely find someone who can help you.

ggttc Loc: TN

I know a photo printer that does jobs for many celebrity photographers...people who shoot Wille Nelson, Dale Ernhart etc....and he uses CS2. He recently produced over 100 pictures for a large hospital in the area...some as large as 5 x 8 feet.

Again just a thought

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

But I would think about LR/PS CC at $10/month get the best

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

No problem switching back. Do you mean the free trial of LR CC? That includes PS.

https://photographylife.com/lightroom-vs-photoshop-elements/
http://improvephotography.com/29429/photoshop-elements-vs-lightroom-making-right-choice/
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/adobe-photoshop-buying-guide,review-2617.html

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Learning Lightroom is worth the effort.

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

Yes it is.

cthahn

None

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I also use Elements 14 and see no reason to go to LR. It does everything I want to do. It's a bit clunky on loading the catalogue, not as quick as LR from what I've read, but it works for me. I got it primarily to tag all my photos and get them organized so I could find them. The RAW editor is a bit limited and it has less features than full Photoshop for everything else but I like it, plus it works in 8 bit and not 16 bit color. I'm not a pixel peeper so I don't worry about that at all.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Many have commented on your second question so I'll stay with the first question. As a processing program Lightroom offers the capability to easily import (think link) photos directly from the card or camera to your hard drive storage space and to be used in LR, where you will see your entire photo filing system displayed. It can easily fill about 95% of your processing needs, with great versatility and ease of use. It does both local and global adjustments, has a wonderful tone curve ability, good sharpening funtionality, and good cropping and transforming tools. You can create Panos and HDR photos from within LR (no Focus Stacking). It allows you to use multiple plug-in programs, such as Elements or Photoshop or Topaz, etc., and then keep a copy of the newly changed photo right in the same folder where the original was with its edits intact in whatever format you choose, once you begin to keyword you can find a photo within seconds based on the keyword or, even without keywords, you can find photos based on text or metadata. It allows you to create special "collections" to use for specific uses, such as books, videos, etc. It allows you to create books and slideshows and to print very easily in multiple ways directly from LR. The program, once learned, is quick and easy to use. I do not use Elements but do use Photoshop as needed. I use Photoshop as a plug-in when I want to hand-merge, using layers, photos or to delete large parts of a photo, or to clone something into the photo, such as when covering foliage holes in trees. I have heard that Elements does have a "catalog" of sorts, but don't know anything about it, sorry about that. I highly recommend Lightroom as your primary photo editing and managing tool and then other programs as secondary tools.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

I just finished a LR class at the local college. There are a lot of things that it will do with relative ease if you understand it. I think I will use it a lot now that I have aworking knowledge.

Bill

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The annual upgrade cost to a new version of PSE is around $90. I used to always upgrade, so that is my base cost for comparison. PS and LR subscription is around $120 or $30 bucks more. As soon as I saw an $89 deal for the subscription on Black Friday, I went for it. It seems to come back every year.