kpsk_sony

Yeah, it seems overly whelming. I sometimes feel frozen in place and unable tp do one thing or the other. Uninstalling seems like a reasonable start to a solution. Do I need to uninstall Lightroom, and Bridge as well?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you're concerned about wasting your time and / or making matters worse, why would you take on this time wasting idea?

At this point, page 4 over multiple days, multiple people have asked for more specifics (details) about what you think is 'wrong'. I may have missed a relevant reply, but all I've seen is a lack of organization. None of these Adobe softwares have anything to do with a lack of personal (human) organization of their image files. Reinstalling the software will do nothing to address this, making this a completely unreasonable idea to pursue.

Rather, breaking down your 'problems' (crisis?) into a list of categories of issues would be more reasonable next-step. People might help you with who / where to address each specific item. Some might be with Adobe's help, others might be get yourself some training from videos at Adobe.com and / utube. Others might be as easy as 'use your brain - think about it' like how would your organization your sock drawer? Can't you think about how to do the same organization for your image files?

Hip Coyote

I am pm'ing with our friend and think i have somewhat boiled it down.

1- He's on a mac.
2- His file/folder structure is unorganized.
3- Believes there is a difference between "photoshop files and lightroom files" and has stored them in separate places.

My initial advice was to abandon photoshop entirely. That is a dragon to be slayed another day...and a dragon i continue to battle.

Determine if he can make a folder with subfolders and move files into folders all within his operating system. He could, of course do this in LR, but that takes a bit of understanding of LR. And I suspect this affects other files as well.

If and when that is done, figure out a way to get him going on very very basic intro to LR. I've not yet found a good into to LR that does no assume some prior knowledge. I have a friend who does mac tutoring who also cleans up the system, help people etc. So that may come into play.


A good youtube recommendation might help on the starting with LR.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'd add 'long(er) term' thinking about organization, in two ways:

a, primary storage of all image files.
b, back-up copies of all files, images, documents, passwords, etc.

For LR focus, try google: adobe lightroom getting started video training. Learn to save the URLs of useful videos and / or authors. Be sure to search the Support / Training section of Adobe.com using your sign-on credentials for subscriber-only training.

Hip Coyote

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

If alls you need is photo organization and not actual photoshop/lightroom help, just google "getting your photos organized". I am sure plenty of solutions should show up.
Don't give up yet.

CanonPrinter1 Loc: West Michigan

I tutor both Lightroom and Photoshop with a very competent person here in Michigan.
We ZOOM together and this allows us to view each other's screen during our sessions.
Contact him @
podsville@gmail.com

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I sent you a Private Messsge.
Mark

Mwilliamsphotography Loc: Royal Oak Michigan & Palm Harbor Florida

Color me intrigued.

I cannot imagine an issue with PS so complex as to cause paralysis and anxiety ... can it be explained so others may avoid the root problems?

MJPerini

@kpsk_sony
If in fact you are on a Mac, You have PHOTOS which is free. It is a place to store, organize, and make albums of your photographs. It allows you to make easy slide shows, it allows you to create custom SHARED ALBUMS on line and invite others (like family members & Friends) to see the pictures, you can even allow them to contribute their own pictures from a shared event.
It also allows you to do basic edits on your pictures.
In my own case, I have Photoshop, DxO and Capture 1 in the latest versions, The way I use PHOTOS is to edit in other programs but export edited JPEGs on my FAMILY PICTURES to PHOTOS for easy organizing and sharing among the family. It is an easy way to get started in organization and editing.
You mention that you have never organized your pictures and just save them in a separate location. That is not ideal, but neither is it a disaster. You have 2 choices 1. Do a little reading about How to organize your pictures. You can do it by year, with sub folders for events, locations, or subjects or lots of other ways. The only important thing is that it makes sense to you and you can find them when you need them.
That takes Time, work and patience, but certainly no special skill.2.Leave them where they are and import them carefully into a program that keeps a catalog like lightroom (your originals are still outside Lightroom
I would advise you to forget photoshop, and look at lightroom. In Lightroom you still keep an organized library of originals, but then import them one group at a time into Lightroom's 'Catalog' which keeps a preview image of each picture as well as recipes for every edited version you have made. You can then pick a version and export it in any form you wish, a small JPEG for email a High quality JPEG for the web , or a high quality 16b TIFF for custom printing. But it all starts with organization and backup of tour data.
Now the bad news, You have to learn to do it yourself. You can get help to get you started but unless you do the work to understand basic databases and where your computer stores things and how to be sure everything is backed up, you are just asking for frustration. It is truly not difficult, but does require work.

Take 1 or 2 folders of pictures and try PHOTOS first, then Lightroom later.
You will get better help here if you calmly state your exact problem so people have basic facts to work with.
Photography should be a source of enjoyment
Good Luck

Ed Commons

Our community college offers a course in photoshop. That may be an option for you. a Hands on course with a photographer teaching it and working with you to understand.

Understand this first. Photoshop can do things, you didn't know you could do with photoshop. And, it can doo things that you will never do with photoshop

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I sent the person a PM on Nov. 6 offering to help and listed both my email and telephone number. To date, I've not had a response. I also replied to the original post, indicating I had sent a Private Message. No response to that either.
Mark

Finn Man Loc: wisconsin

Do not beat yourself up. You can go in circles so easy that it makes your head spin. The internet is the rabbit hole we go in everyday...K.A.N.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I'm not. I'm online 5 - 7 hours a day. I seldom get caught in a rabbit hole.
Thanks for your concern.

? K.A.N.?
Mark

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

First, are your photos organized in a way you can quickly find a photo of some particular event / moment??