AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

So I've bowed to the inevitable, and subscribed to Lightroom, although only the 32 bit version will work on my laptop. I have thousands of JPEGs going back a decade, and RAW (Nikon NEF) files from the past two years or so. I was an intermediate Photoshop Elements user, with some successes, but now I'm starting all over, or so it feels.

So where do I start? Does anyone have good recommendations on tutorials or introductory videos to get me on my way in this Brave New World? Any threads on The Hog that would give me a head start?

I'm familiar with histograms and with basic post processing work (which would have been called "darkroom work" a few decades ago, when I was a working semi-pro). I've seen what can be done with RAW files, and I want to begin at the beginning, at least in terms of digital darkroom work.

Andy

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Just google it. In fact I believe Adobe has tutorial videos. There are both free (some good, some not) and paid/subscription/membership tutorials from people like Victorial Bampton "The Lightroom Queen" https://www.lightroomqueen.com/ and for starters one of the best free tutorial sets https://photographylife.com/how-to-use-lightroom-a-tutorial-for-beginners.
LR will tie in with your PSE so you can send pictures to PSE, edit them using the tools you are used and the save them back to LR.

First step is to let LR catalog all your picture folders. Then after that only move, rename, delete etc from within LR and it will keep track of everything.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Andy, Two things, You need to buy a 1T or 2T Western Digital to back up your images.You need to figure out what folders you want for your images. Like todays images go in a folder labeled Tulips 51418 on my laptop. I then back that folder up to my remote drive.I then drag that folder into LR.That is my workflow. Ask 10 people and they all have a different workflow.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Shoot a dozen new photos. Import them, Develop them, tag them, etc. Get it figured out before you do anything with the thousands that count.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

HI Andy,

I've used LR for about eight years now, became Adobe certified, have taught it at a local community college, and have an LR website to teach the program (viathelens.net). The biggest problem that people have in the beginning is learning the in's and out's of the Library Module; learning that module to begin with is the key to your success with the program. The best place to start is the Adobe Help manual, found on the Adobe website or by clicking on Help within the application itself. Read all sections of the Help manual that pertain to the Library Module. Once you read and learn that information then start by linking (i.e., importing) one file and see how that goes. The other thing that you will want to do prior to starting with the program is to determine your organization system, write it down on paper; so, where will you keep your original files (on your computer or an external hard drive), how will you name folders, what is the organization for sub-sets of folders if you need that. Knowing the answers to these kinds of questions will keep your folders organized. Once you determine your image organization always use it. The application will let you keep folders by year if you prefer that but know that you can always find any image by metadata, for example, the year, so often this is a redundant way to name folders or images. I prefer the Martin Evening book over other books as he is organized and methodical and presents all of the information you will need to begin with and in the future as you learn the program.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks! I learned Organizer before PS, and I think I'll go that way in the new system. I already have an established routine for backup, with both cloud and external SSHD belt and suspenders. I organize by date, and so far I'm back to 2015. My archives go back to 2009, when we got our first advanced P&S cameras (which, of course, only include JPEGs).


One question I have immediately is whether LR can import the tags (Location, subject, people, etc.) that I've already added in PS? I've laboriously tagged thousands of photos, and so far it doesn't seem to be importing the tags. Is there a trick that will allow this? It would sure save me a lot of time in re-tagging with keywords.

I'll look at your suggestions for a learning curve. Thanks again!

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Doing the cataloging now. I was wondering if there were any particular recommendations for learning videos or courses. There are literally hundreds of thousands of search results for Lightroom tutorials and training. Thanks!

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Done. Been doing it for several years now.

Any thoughts on particular training materials for LR manipulation? There are hundreds of thousands of search results.

Thanks!

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I've been doing this the opposite way. Still importing and cataloging, but as long as I have adequate backup systems, I'd like to practice on some of the images that I know were good, but could improve with some work. Suggestions on first things to try, and on training materials are especially welcome!

Thanks!

Andy

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

Stay away from firearms and sharp objects until you get comfortable with Lightroom. Consider upgrading your editing computer.

There are two main things to learn in Lightroom - the relatively easy Develop module and the Library. What is most confusing to nearly all who have never used Lightroom or any database driven image management system is "Where do/did my files go?" The quick answer is to their default locations.

The more complete answer is wherever you want them to be. If you have a well organized file structure, pointing Lightroom to the top level folder that has all of your images, using the Import with the Add parameter will get them all into your catalog, ready for editing without creating duplicates. If you make the mistake of using the Copy parameter, you will make a complete duplicate of every file.

When you are importing new images, you can specify a different destination during import, so that the images end up in a folder that you create during the import process.

Very important - this is not a file browser - it is a catalog of images. So you just can't look in a folder on your computer, right click on it, and automatically open it in Lightroom., even if it is already in the catalog. Most people get totally messed up with this.

Also important - at least in the beginning - do all of your file management from within the Lightroom - in the Library module. Never delete or move files in Finder or Windows Explorer and expect LR to know what you have done. When you get comfy with LR's excellent file management tools, you'll be able to create a folder at the OS level, copy your images to it, open LR and just add that folder and it's images to the catalog.You'll also be able to move folders and delete files at the OS level, and just sync the source and destination folders. But that may be a bit advanced, and best attempted when you are more comfortable with LR.

Others have provided excellent sources for tutorials and learning aids. These are all worth taking the time to watch and understand before doing anything with your images in Lightroom.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Check out B&H on you tube. They have some vids on the library module. The ones Tim Grey do are pretty good. If you you don't mind paying Scott Kelby has video classes. I think (I have not used it so could be wrong on the subscription options ) one price gets access to every vid they make for the year , 6no, 3mo, or what ever you choose.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Try utube videos from Anthony Morganti. Or, simply google "best lightroom utube" and just click down the results list. They're free to watch so it's only your time spent trying to learn more and get your LR journey started.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Anthony Morganti Utube very good and easy to follow Tim Grey at B&H 2 good options

Joe

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

There are many videos; for me, Laura Shoe was most understandable---my breakthrough. After two years, I still refer back to her videos on occasion.

CaptainPhoto

I have used a video tutorial by Laura Shoe - she does a great job and has video training for version 5 all the way to LR Classic - the price is not bad and I don't think you will be at all disappointed.