Lightroom and Photoshop: I just went all out and purchased a brand new computer and downloaded the latest versions of lightroom and photoshop. I am seriously trying to step up my game...

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I just went all out and purchased a brand new computer and downloaded the latest versions of lightroom and photoshop. I am seriously trying to step up my game in my photography this year. Problem is Lightroom and Photoshop are really kicking my ass. The tuturals i watch are only like half assed and i cant seem to find any really good published books on where to start. Does anyone have any ideas. All help is greatly appreciated.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What have you watched so far? Have you investigated the video training from the Support section on Adobe.com? Have you watched Anthony Morganti on utube?

These are complex pieces of software with no expectation they can be learned or understood by just clicking around and figuring it out alone. PS is the far more complex of the two. You'd be better served starting with only LR, studying / using LR alone. Spend a week / month / 6-months just on LR and get a solid library management approach and the basics of editing in LR. Then, the more complex and powerful PS will be easier to address for the advanced as-needed work on your images.

At this point, include "getting started" into your various google and utube searches. Also, focus just on new images, not a mass-import of your existing image portfolio. Defer to a future point the effort to import all your legacy images into LR. You'll be less overwhelmed and less likely to need to redo this 'mass import' if you wait a bit and just focus on 'new' images.

Ruthlessrider

Super good advice. I’ve spent over ten year with both piece and there are still areas and processes, especially the ones I don’t use often, that I have to go back to a tutorial for. Adobe tutorials are pretty darn good, but sometime move a little fast.

Gampa

Excellent advice CHG CANON

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

out4life2016 wrote:

I just went all out and purchased a brand new computer and downloaded the latest versions of lightroom and photoshop. I am seriously trying to step up my game in my photography this year. Problem is Lightroom and Photoshop are really kicking my ass. The tuturals i watch are only like half assed and i cant seem to find any really good published books on where to start. Does anyone have any ideas. All help is greatly appreciated.

Chg Canon (Paul) have you the best advice, but I'll add Lightroom queen.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/

And I believe via the lens, a user here, does training also.

You might find a local training class at a college or night school. I took some classes years ago on photo shop, back in the cs days.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Scott Kelby’s books are excellent. Also check in with your local community college to see if they offer courses. I’d recommend starting with Lightroom as the learning curve isn’t as steep as photoshop.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

out4life2016 wrote:

I just went all out and purchased a brand new computer and downloaded the latest versions of lightroom and photoshop. I am seriously trying to step up my game in my photography this year. Problem is Lightroom and Photoshop are really kicking my ass. The tuturals i watch are only like half assed and i cant seem to find any really good published books on where to start. Does anyone have any ideas. All help is greatly appreciated.

Get Northrup’s books.

bleirer

I'd stick with lightroom classic at first rather than lightroom cc. There is only one version of photoshop, photoshop cc. If you want to explore photoshop a little while in the lightroom library, if you right click you can choose to edit in photoshop. Then in photoshop if you file/save or ctrl s, it will put a copy back in your lightroom library.

https://helpx.adobe.com/support/lightroom-classic.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/support/photoshop.html

Steve Perry has a step by step video workshop on the lightroom library module https://bcgwebstore.com/product/bcg-lightroom-course-1-the-library-module-file-handling-importing/

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Lightroom (and Photoshop) are screen programs. By that I mean they operate on your computer screen. That's obvious. They are not books with words and pictures.

The problem with "tutorials" is they are randomly aimed at pieces and parts. You need an organized class or course that starts with basics and builds.

My favorites are at Lynda.com. You may have to pay for it, but in most places you can get to it for free through your public library. https://www.lynda.com/Lightroom-tutorials/Lightroom-Classic-Essential-Training-DUPE/2836002-2.html

Another place that sells courses is Creative Live.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

out4life2016 wrote:

I just went all out and purchased a brand new computer and downloaded the latest versions of lightroom and photoshop. I am seriously trying to step up my game in my photography this year. Problem is Lightroom and Photoshop are really kicking my ass. The tuturals i watch are only like half assed and i cant seem to find any really good published books on where to start. Does anyone have any ideas. All help is greatly appreciated.

Before offering any advice, can you clarify which version of Lightroom? There are 2 versions which can run on a computer, and Adobe has gone out of their way to confuse everyone thoroughly. One is called "Lightroom," and the other is called "Lightroom Classic." For serious photographers, I'd recommend LR Classic. But, if you have one version and are watching training videos on the other, that's going to be totally confusing!

I very much enjoy using Photoshop, but the learning curve is very long, and can be frustrating. I don't recommend trying to learn LR and PS at the same time. You can do all the basic edits and manage your photos in Lightroom Classic. Learn that first, and once you feel confident with it, then you can begin learning PS. If you are the type of person who learns better from books, I'd recommend Scott Kelby's book.

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

DWU2 wrote:

Before offering any advice, can you clarify which ... (show quote)

out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington

CHG_CANON wrote:

What have you watched so far? Have you investigate... (show quote)

Thank You for you advice and help, as always you are a great source of information. I have both versions of lightroom and the newest version of photoshop. I pay 10 dollars a month for all three which isnt going to break the bank by any means. The computer did that. could have bout a really nice L series lens for what i paid for this last Black Friday. But like i said im trying to step it up. So far I have watched a few tutorals on the program itself and a few on youtube basically whatever pops up but i really need a starting point. I am struggling just to import photos and export them. Starting fresh with new photos seems like a really good idea and i wiull be out taking new photos today at the Savannah River Rapids since its suppose to be a nice clear and sunny day. Several people have mentioned Scott Kellys book which i may check out and i seen a book, Light Room For Dummies, that i may check out. Even it is 452 pages long.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

out4life2016 wrote:

Thank You for you advice and help, as always you a... (show quote)

Note the comments about LR 'classic' vs the browser-based LR software. Focus your efforts on the desktop-based 'classic' software as another way to head-off more struggles on getting started with LR.

Personally, I think you should exhaust all free video-based training before spending more money, but maybe purchased training is more exact and precise and a better match to your needs. There are several here who can explain specific usage issues, don't hesitate to asked for tips / ideas.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Creative Live sent out an email today with a deep discount on their "Lightroom Classic for Beginners" course. $14, down from $99! Today only!

https://www.creativelive.com/class/adobe-lightroom-cc-for-beginners-jared-platt?utm_source=creativeLIVE&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210123_All_Flash14for145Added

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Everyone learns in different ways. Some by reading, some by doing.

I concur that you should be starting with Lightroom Classic, which runs entirely on your computer. Try a few things and learn how things are done. If you aren't satisfied with your progress, start another catalog and try again. Do this with a few images at first. When you get comfortable, you can start to add all your images.

Personally, I think the main strength of Lightroom is in organization, although it's pretty capable as an editor also. My way of organizing things is by the use of keywords. That is an art to be learned. You want to have keywords that describe the image fully, but not so many keywords that it is cumbersome to apply them.

And when you find something specific that you don't understand or aren't sure about, ask here.

Learn Lightroom first. It's worth the price by itself. Photoshop is a plus, but you can start to learn it when you get comfortable in LR.