Lightroom or Photoshop Elements: Hello fellow photogs, I am new to this forum and was wondering which software is more user friendly for amateur "wanna be" photographers. (Lightroom or...

amyk713 Loc: Salisbury, NC

Hello fellow photogs, I am new to this forum and was wondering which software is more user friendly for amateur "wanna be" photographers. (Lightroom or Photoshop Elements) I have a Nikon D5100 and want to upgrade in the next year. Still undecided on which camera to get. I want the software that's easiest to use and a camera that will eventually take me through shooting portraits, back-up assist with weddings, and senior pictures. Any advice is welcomed.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

My preference is LR. I believe there is still a deal for LR and Photoshop CC for 10 a month.

Both PSE and LR have 30 day trials...try them for yourself and see which one works best for you.

https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_lightroom&promoid&promoid=DTEML

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=en

AJB1942

I use iPhoto for point and shoot JPEG family photos and rely on LR for serious RAW SLR work. It is easy to use the basics for post processing and you may advance from there.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

amyk713 wrote:

Hello fellow photogs, I am new to this forum and was wondering which software is more user friendly for amateur "wanna be" photographers. (Lightroom or Photoshop Elements) I have a Nikon D5100 and want to upgrade in the next year. Still undecided on which camera to get. I want the software that's easiest to use and a camera that will eventually take me through shooting portraits, back-up assist with weddings, and senior pictures. Any advice is welcomed.

I have PS 7, a real old version of PhotoShop. Then I picked up MS Digital image Pro. Finally, I bought PSE 10 & learned how to use it. Great program. But then, I discovered LR 4, now 5. This is my go to program for edits. It's so easy to use. Now I only use PSE 10 when I have some more serious edits to do.
I, too, have the D5100. I don't do any pro work so it's just fine with me. IMHO, if you're comfortable with the D5100, use it.
Personally, I have a lot of lenses so I'm looking for a D5200 24.1 MP body only as a primary camera with the 5100 so I can have 2 cameras with different lenses at any given moment.
I hope some of this helped.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Amy, start with Lightroom and as suggested, download it from Adobe for a 30-day free trial. Use it for thirty days along with Adode TV how to videos or post any questions you have if you get stuck and you will be a convert. The adjustment features in LR mostly are all made with sliders just jump in and you will be amazed what can be accomplished. ;)

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Db7423 wrote:

Amy, start with Lightroom and as suggested, download it from Adobe for a 30-day free trial. Use it for thirty days along with Adode TV how to videos or post any questions you have if you get stuck and you will be a convert. The adjustment features in LR mostly are all made with sliders just jump in and you will be amazed what can be accomplished. ;)

Going along with Db's suggestion, here are some step-by-step guide video's made by Matt Koslowski. It's a 7-video series entitled: "Im Giving Up Photoshop For the Month of January."

http://lightroomkillertips.com/?p=5329

wtompkins Loc: Northern Michigan

I've been using Elements 9, but really wanted to try Lightroom, so I went to the site to download LR5... and can't, because I have Windows XP.
I was also just offered a free photo editing program which ALSO requires Windows 7. Bummed. :(
But, I'll soon be ordering PSE 12, and I also have CS2, so those should do for whatever I need.

amyk713 Loc: Salisbury, NC

Sounds like I need to update my PC as well....

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Based on what subject matter you have stated you want to work with, Lightroom 5 would be your obvious choice. One other option you have is to sign on for Adobe's Photographers CC special, which gives you Photoshop and Lightroom and all the updates as they come out for $10.00/month if you sign up by February. At that price you can try both and see what you are more comfortable with/prefer the most before committing yourself to one or the other product. Or you may just find you like them both.

amyk713 Loc: Salisbury, NC

Thanks so much!

fstop11 Loc: Huntington Beach Ca

Diffidently LR, LR Is for photographers. If you are going to use layers then you need both.

Nick K Loc: Long Beach CA

I am using the 30 day trial of Lightroom. I like it. I had pse 10 but when I upgraded my camera to d7100 it would not support the raw format. I was just learning pse 10, It seems to have a steep learning curve.

amyk713 wrote:

Hello fellow photogs, I am new to this forum and was wondering which software is more user friendly for amateur "wanna be" photographers. (Lightroom or Photoshop Elements) I have a Nikon D5100 and want to upgrade in the next year. Still undecided on which camera to get. I want the software that's easiest to use and a camera that will eventually take me through shooting portraits, back-up assist with weddings, and senior pictures. Any advice is welcomed.

amyk713 Loc: Salisbury, NC

Nick, are you saying the with the Nikon d7100 you can not shoot in raw format?... Please correct me if I am wrong. I am looking into one of those cameras along with a few others and would appreciate your input.
thanks,
Amy

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

LR supports RAW D7100 files.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Have you considered Paintshop Pro X6 (32/64 bit) or even X5 (32 bit). The program is very powerful and it will take a few years before you need to update to X9 to work with Windows 12!!

Photoshop is an old magic name... like saying I drive a Cadillac... Invest you money in addon programs like Topaz Labs or OnOne etc. These programs work magic (by math algorithms) to produce fantastic photos quickly and easily. Do not fall for the "Adobe Mystique".

If you eventually need raw processing... Corel sells a program, "after shot" which has some advantages beyond lower cost.