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

Just to clarify: you never purchased a program. You purchased a license to use a program. The difference is spelled out in the EULA: you can't modify the program beyond setting preferences as permitted by the software. Also there are things you can't do with the program and the software manufacturer has the right to cancel your license if you violate the terms.

Dahveed Loc: Minneapolis

I use Lightroom ($11/month packaged with Photoshop) primarily to tether my camera (Canon 80D or 6DII) during photoshoots and automatically transfer and view JPG versions of each image; the raw images remain on camera. I've started to learn Luminar ($69) because Lightroom's file-handling interface and organization is user-hostile. But until I learn either software better, Photoshop's camera raw software meets 99% of my needs. Capture One ($300) is another option but I'd rather spend it on gear.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Like any other software there is a learning curve for Lightroom (and Photoshop, and Affinity Photo, and ...).

I present an annual two hour Introduction to Lightroom (and Photoshop and Affinity Photo) to our local camera club. Two hours of instruction is more than adequate to get people going on Lightroom (and the others). If you're willing to spend a bit of time playing with the software, you probably don't even require the training.

As for what use you put Lightroom to, I use it for most of my photo postprocessing. I don't use it for image organization. I find simply setting up a well named folder/file structure on my harddrive to be far more useful than organizing things in Lightroom.

It is important to remember that Lightroom does NOT actually 'edit' your images. It simply creates a script that is applied to images to show what they will look like if exported or printed. It is almost impossible to mess up an original image in Lightroom. Photoshop, on the other hand, edits images and can overwrite the original image. So, grab Lightroom and have at it!

bwa

Meadwilliam

I used Steele training. Their units are reasonably priced and lead you step by step. I found it made all the difference in my ability to get some great results from Lightroom.

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

LR/PS is $9.99/month but sales tax is added, so the price will vary between states.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Exactly. There are decent YouTube instructional videos for most, but I’d say the most for LR/PS because it’s the most popular.

I particularly like Tim Gray’s tutorials posted by B&H Photo. Take ‘em one at a time and build slowly.

Andy

Kuzano

LightRoom is as bad as all Adobe products. All other photo editing programs are almost equally complex, and many are as costly. Adobe is the worst publisher of editing programs. Spoken with the personal experience of a decade of using Photoshop, Elements and some Lightroom.

HOWEVER!!!!!

Non one except Adobe products has the breadth of teaching the products on tutorials, video, seminars and other methods. Adobe products lead in the variety of ways of learning. Does that make Adobe better. NO!

The solution is to take better pictures with a camera you can learn well and forget GAS! Don't buy new camera's all the time. Post processing is not the BeAll to EndAll! Don't fall into the mind altering trap of Post Processing everything you shoot. Make the best image in the field. Be a "real photographer". Not a computer Hack!!!

James Reid

You definitely need some kind of reference book to learn it proper. I would recommend Tony and Chelsea Northrop’s book Lightroom6/cc book, it also gives you links to free video tutorials.

rusty66

The most important thing to learn about Lightroom is their phone number for help: 800 833 6687. I've used the help line a lot and it has saved much frustration. It is definitely worth the effort.

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

I see you have a very good camera that you either bought or someone gave you. I'll assume you like taking pictures and would like to present them to others & yourself as best you can.

My advice ... take the plunge, get Lightroom (the industry standard) and get started on the adventure.

You say you only want to edit one picture at a time. Great, that's the way I do it, too, all 30,863 of them.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I bought the LR6 disk just before Adobe decided to go with the monthly subscription, so no updates, but it I am doing okay with it for my skill level. It does have a learning curve and I am still picking up tips.
One of the best are many youtube tutorials by Anthony Morganti. They are free and informative. You can look at them before you decide.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

The reality is Lightroom, Photoshop etc are very good. If you are looking to tweak colors,
saturation, light & dark to reveal more of the dark areas etc these are very good. Try and fix blown out skies etc. If you want to do creative art style images out of photos PS is amazing. I have worked with it for years but still dont know a lot of how works in layers etc.

I had to buy the Adobe Suite because of work when I have it. Their programs are the standard
for anyone in the business graphics, photos etc. llustrator for art $50 month drives
me crazy. What I discovered recently they have teaching videos online that look good.
Don't know if you just license License Lightroom if you have access to their training.

My take on learning programs is to go to youtube or just google where amazing people do
how to videos for everything in detail with visuals. Never had luck with a guide. I have worked
with these programs for years but go on need to know basis. If I need to know I google it.

As for cataloguing your shots I used Aperture (Apple) and they stopped supporting it.
I used iPhoto and liked it for collection of photos. i just make folders for them. Then apple
replaced it with Photos which I dont like at all.

I dont like trials. Take a leap with Lightroom and wade through it. Good luck.

Flakes Mill

I bought the LR6 version before it could no longer be purchased. And yes, they up date it....I don't know how, but they do. Just a few days ago I turned on Lightroom and a pop up occurred called PEOPLE. It gives you the opportunity to name people in your photos. I CAN'T GET RID OF IT!!! and I can't use the Library Mode anymore!! I tried the suggestions posted here but none of them worked. Does anybody have any more suggestions??? HELP

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

Lightroom is as good as all Adobe products. Other programs vary widely in their complexity and the Adobe Photography Package is not expensive. Spoken with the personal experience of a decade or more using Lightroom and Photoshop (not Elements).

My point is that everyone has their own opinion of the value of a program. That's why there are 30-day trials out there, to give you an idea of whether it will work for you or not.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Same with me. Have used PE for years, only update about every 2 or 3 versions. Has a built in Organizer. Still learning it. Usually can download a new version of the RAW editor for new cameras. Now on 15. Usually get the Dummies book and Scott Kelby's Photoshop Elements for Photographers for any new version I may get. The Dummies book for reference, Kelby's for practical examples.