lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Then just use adobe camera raw in photoshop.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

My photos are already organized and I don't care for the interface library module nor have any use for it personally. I don't use bridge either. I shoot jpg and raw, then I weed through my shots with windows photo viewer while deleting with my keyboard the junk. If I like something enough then I "open with" (the raw file) PSCC or Capture NX2 and touch up. Sometimes I thought it would nice to be able to "open with" Lightroom and try those adjustments. Thanks for all the information. I'll stick with Adobe Camera Raw. Regards.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Lightroom will require you to import the image to be worked on. You CAN drag an image to Lightroom and it will import it in the background, however it will still import into it's catalog.

Lightroom is first a database of your images - importing photos simply adds entries in the database (catalog) that tells lighhtroom where the file is located, create a preview in Lightroom, and maintains the edits (changes) that you make. Changes do not take effect until you EXPORT the finished image, this is why it is non-destructive.

Fighting how Lightroom works is why people have so much trouble with it.

For me, Lightroom and Photoshop compliment each other perfectly, two different tools, two very different editing systems.

I cannot imagine the problems of finding images in a vast library without the use of keywords and virtual collections.

Someone else mentioned, if you don't like using Lightroom properly, stick with Photoshop and make use of ACR - that is basically Lightroom develop with a different interface.

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

Sorry, LR doesn't work that way. You can't open a photo with LR. The only file you can open with LR is a LR catalog file.

Since PS works for you, don't fix it.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Thanks Walt. My thoughts exactly. :thumbup:

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

I've hesitated posting this since it's been said so many times in so many different ways by people with better writing skills than I but.....

You probably know this already but.....there is no reason why you couldn't make your LR catalog reflect exactly your existing file/directory system and continue to import and organize in exactly the same way.

Before I even used LR for the first time, I created a system (directories and sub directories) to organize my images the way I wanted and that I could stick with and grow while importing new images via Lightroom (note that I didn't say "into"....images are not imported "into" LR).
Then...I did my first big import to mirror this directory structure.
Now....as I add new images to my HDs....I do it via Lightroom and use Lightroom to create any desired new directories.

If I look at where my images are stored using windows explorer or MAC Finder I see the very same thing I see in the left hand panel of the Library module.

As some others have mentioned.....it you really don't want to create a LR catalog and use it you should just pick a different post processing application.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Just because someone doesn't want to do it your way doesn't mean it is stupid.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Thanks for you help. I may give it another try.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Thanks for you input, I appreciate it.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Don't do it. If you want to use PS exclusively, you can still use LR as a catalog manager. To get to PS all you have to do is select an image (in either the catalog manager or the develop module), right click, and select edit in -> Photoshop. The you can select whether you wan to apply any LR edits or open the native camera image without LR edits.

However to get to the develop module the image has to have been imported into LR.

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Let me ask! why do you want to just use the develop module in lightroom? what is it you are trying to accomplish? How do you manage your photo library today? How do you download, file, organize your photo library? If you knew that Lightroom could do all of this for you and keep track of edits non destructively is their any reason why you wouldn't want to use it?

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

The OP has a workflow that he likes. He isn't familiar with Lightroom. He thought it'd be good to try it out to see what it will do.

I'm all in favor of learning a new thing. And I think Lightroom is worth knowing. But I don't want to suggest workarounds for something that is currently working.

If the OP wants to learn about Lightroom, I'd suggest that he check out some of the tutorials available online.
Laura Shoe's LR tutorials (LR5, but basics remain the same)
Using LR and PS together (Long - 1.75 hours)

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

First No second the Develop Module is much easier than ACR to use and tweak your photos Also LR Library is a catalog it keeps your photos where you imported to

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Tony Northrup's Kindle books on Lightroom are excellent and include hours of video tutorials as well for only $10. Best money I ever spent. I learned a lot of new tricks after thinking I was pretty proficient. Good luck!

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I know you asked this question of the OP but I'm going to chime in. I don't have photoshop but I have Lightroom. I had a workflow and file structure established before I bought Lightroom and don't want to change that. I love the develop module and what it can do but I see nearly every day a posting on UHH asking for help with the Lightroom catalog and missing pictures. Why would I want to subject myself to that kind of headache when I already have a process that works for me. I'm not a pro, I don't take hundreds of photos at a time, so I prefer to use what I know and am familiar with. Lightroom is fantastic for post production and I love it for that but I look at it like a smart phone - it has a bunch of features I'll probably never use.

Walt