pappleg

I have seen from time to time preferences discussed in this forum with it seems the majority here using Classic (noticed only empirically no tallies). I began my subscription with LR CC without noticing the two options and would still consider myself a novice especially regarding the Photoshop side (use mainly the spot healing brush). I did watch the Adobe 5 minute description but that seems to just scratch the surface. What are the advantages of using Classic over CC beyond the emphasis on cloud based processes as opposed to local. Appreciate multiple inputs on this. Thx in advance, Pat

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

"Classic" is the full-feature software intended to run on your desktop or laptop computer. The CC can also run on a full-sized computer, but is more intended to run on your tablet while working in the field where you can later sync those mobile edits with your main Classic catalog.

pappleg

Thanks Paul, I understand that but when you say classic is full-featured does that mean that the edits available to classic are more robust than in cc, or are they the same? I would not consider changing to classic unless there were advantages to be gained in editing my photos over the cc version. Maybe I did not phrase my question properly. When, for example, in a recent post where I posted photos under theatrical lighting you spoke to correcting the white balance I indeed did play with the white balance settings in Lightroom but the changes within the WB slider were not sufficient to overcome the color casts imposed by the gels in the lighting. It was not that I "liked" the results but that lightroom did not have sufficient adjustment to correct for the extreme red in the final photo for example. Is it that I am not sufficiently versed in Lightroom? Thanks so much for your input. You dedicate incredible amounts of time to this website. Pat

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pat - I don't have the CC version to say from personal experience where the relevant differences exist. There isn't a tool by tool list, but the text of this link in section "Editing photos" give some examples of limits in CC vs Classic. For working on the red of the prior post, both tools against the original RAW should have been more effective.

I tried the jpeg-limited temp and tint changes along with HSL changes on the image you posted. I can make a "different" version, but I don't know that it's any better using Classic vs CC. Probably changing to B&W would help that image the most.

So, if your primary work environment is a desktop or full-figured laptop, the Classic version as of Oct-2018 is defined as the more powerful / complete option.

The link:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/lightroom-cc-vs-lightroom-classic/

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm committed to a folder based system of storage. Classic does that and "cloud" does not. I have a printer and still like to print. "Cloud" doesn't do that. I like doing panos and HDRs. "Cloud" doesn't to that.

I am enjoying cloud for how it put everything on my phone, tablet, computer and a website. Cloud even lets me set up a portfolio that is still driven by Classic. (There is a link in my signature).

For me, it is not one or the other. It is discovering how they work together and when one might to better than the other for the task at hand.

I seem to be drifting into a workflow where I process with Classic, then sync and share with "cloud".

BJW

I started out with LR Classic and used it for about a year. The one most frustrating part of that experience for me was the LR catalog system. I then had some travel planned and after considering other on the road back up options, I decided to try LR CC (cloud) on an iPad Pro. That offered a way for me to back up my daily memory cards while on the road and start editing immediately. I found that while LR CC does not (yet) offer all of the features of LR Classic, it does offer me everything I need. It also eliminated the frustrations I had with the catalogue system. Now, I have abandoned LR Classic on my MacBook Pro entirely and use only LR CC on my iPad. It not only gives me all the editing tools I need, but with greater convenience and ease of use. I know a lot of us don't trust the cloud yet and feel more comfortable with saving our images on external hard drives. I did too. But, having used the cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) since it was "born" I have come to trust it and rely on it in my legal practice and personal life. My non-photography world is rapidly migrating to the cloud. We now have, essentially, paperless offices, in what was a paper laden industry. If my world outside photography has grown to trust the cloud so much, I figure I can too. And if the LR Creative cloud goes "poof" and disappears taking all my images with it, well, I've got everything backed up on other clouds, such as DropBox, Photos, Google Drive, Evernote and Instagram. Like it or not, the cloud is here and external hard drives attached to desk top or lap top computers are becoming history. Like the DSLR vs. mirrorless trend. I'd rather keep up with the technology race. I'm OK with that, but it may not suit everyone. And I'm OK with that too. BTW: I notice that Adobe seems to be adding more and more features to LR CC so that it is virtually the same as LR Classic.

Bottom line: Like many things in photography, the preference for one over the other is a matter of subjective, personal preference. Whatever floats your boat...

Best,

BJW

drsdayton Loc: Dayton, Ohio

I have struggled with this same question. Creative Live has a pretty good class by Jared Platt - Lightroom® CC: Organizing Your Digital Photo Life - that addresses a lot of the differences between the two apps. I have both in my CC Subscription and am trying to import photos via CC, because the original then goes to the Cloud, and (I think) syncs with Classic by downloading the original to you locally. So then you have originals in two places. Conversely, if you import with Classic - it only syncs previews to the Cloud. You might prefer one over the other, depending on the magnitude of your collection.

I think the editing capabilities in Classic are still a lot better. That convinced me to jump from the LR CC only (w/ 1 TB Storage) to the LR CC, LR Classic, Photoshop version (w/ 1 TB Storage). That decision took me from ~$10/mth to ~$20/mth.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I agree that the editing in Classic is a lot better. For me, it seems that the "non-Classic" LR is for cellphone and tablet users and Classic is for full blown editing as you would do in a darkroom. Also, I have the "base photo" version of the Cloud.. 9.99 per month but it has both LR CC and LR Classic with Photoshop and 1 TB storage total for the 9.99 a month. If I read your's correctly you ended up with 2tb of cloud storage.. Personally, I ONLY use the cloud storage to move images from my cellphone/tablet to my desktop for "further" adjustment. I also only use a "folder" in my cloud to put finished "examples" of my work to show prospective clients. And then if they show more interest, I will show them my "real" portfolio of printed photos. My point is that my $9.99 Cloud has Lightroom CC Classic, Lightroom CC, Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Bridge.. I also have a couple of "free" apps like animator.. but I never use them.

drsdayton Loc: Dayton, Ohio

If you actually have a TB of storage with that package you are doing $10/mth better than I am. I’m paying $20 for same apps w/ 1 TB!

pappleg

Thanks all, that is exactly the diverse discussion I was looking for. There may, from the various descriptions, be significant differences and appears to be no downside to using both. My personal organization system does favor a folder based process but I would like to use an iPad for travel so I am leaning to using both. Will advise the differences I find from my perspective. Thx again. Pat

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Classic offers a bigger set of tools and is designed for desktop/laptop use. The "dehaze" tool is my personal favorite and is the primary reason I chose Classic as it wasn't available in CC. It may be now, but I'm a happy camper with Classic.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Actually, I was incorrect. I have 20gb of cloud storage.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Photography Plan
US$9.99/mo.

Includes:
Lightroom CC
Lightroom Classic CC
Photoshop CC
20GB of cloud storage
Compare photography plans

Single App
US$20.99/mo

Actually, I am using about 4gb because I just upload to cloud to show work or download from cloud to transfer pics from cell phone/tablet to main library in Lightroom.



Your choice of one creative app like Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, or Adobe XD CC
Includes 100GB of cloud storage, your own portfolio website, premium fonts, and social media tools



If you are paying different, I would suggest calling Adobe customer service. They are pretty easy to work with. Year before last, I increased my plan to the full plan for 6 months at the $52.99 per month price. Then once my project was finished, I had them roll me back to the 9.99 plan. Was very simple and worth it. I was told that If I needed to do it again, there would be no problem. So NOW every 9th of the month, Adobe automatically takes 9.99 from my checking account. No big deal and I almost never miss it. Generally, its about the price of a burger, fries and drink, once a month.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Just an advice from personal experience, if you need help from Adobe (on plans at least), contact Sales team and not Support line. The first were great, the latter a nightmare.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

One big difference is that with Lightroom Classic your photos are stored locally on your computer. With Lightroom CC, your photos are stored in the cloud. Classic also offers additional editing tools that are not available in the CC version.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Lightroom Classic CC is the same LR updated that I have always used. LR CC is a special version for phones etc