Question for Lightroom users...

[Baylorgrad]

Now that I've done a bit of purging from my hard drive (ah...space!), I've been thinking about downloading the free trial of Lightroom. For those who have Lightroom, is it easy to just jump in and play around and figure out what's going on? For that matter, do you recommend Lightroom at all?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

[katrinak]

I'm figuring it out Kelly but can't really say that it is "easy". I may also have a really slow learning curve too :P

It is AMAZING though and well worth figuring out I think!

[Baylorgrad]

Originally Posted by katrinak

I'm figuring it out Kelly but can't really say that it is "easy". I may also have a really slow learning curve too :P

It is AMAZING though and well worth figuring out I think!

Thanks for the input, Katrina! Now...have you bought that laptop bag from etsy yet? Hmm?

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Kelly, browse the adobe site and search the iTunes podcasts. There are some good walk-through tutorials around.

[Baylorgrad]

Originally Posted by 1gr8muggle

Kelly, browse the adobe site and search the iTunes podcasts. There are some good walk-through tutorials around.

Cassie, I didn't even think about iTunes! *thumps self on head* While I enjoy playing around with a program, I'd much prefer having clear step-by-step directions (which is why I have *all* of your tutorials! )!

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by Baylorgrad

Now...have you bought that laptop bag from etsy yet? Hmm?

No...had to go buy a new carry on for clothes and my toothbrush instead for a trip tomorrow, but I did get one with a nifty slide in spot for my laptop so that I could (in theory) slide it out of the overhead compartment without moving my bag. Of course at 5'3" I can barely reach the overhead compartment anyway...

[sam ellis]

katrina re height.

i use the BROWSE in CS2 and I know lightroom has a lot more features but I think I spend too much time on my photos anyway and the more the choice the harder it all becomes .

my 2c worth...

[trudem]

I actually just downloaded the Lightroom trial this past weekend, and for me it was fairly easy to navigate. I would think if you have any kind of experience in PS, it shouldn't be too bad. Plus Googling it led me to several websites/blogs with handy tips and tutorials, which make it even easier.

I'm just totally in love with the whole one-click thing. It really only takes one click! And if you don't like what the preset did, you can fiddle with the settings on the right side of the window. SO awesome! I mean I have photo actions for my PSE from Photoblast, but they require a few minutes to go through because you have to hit "ok" on every single adjustment. Its starting to get old for me now!

I actually went and downloaded some free presets for Lightroom (Dagmar enabled some in her thread about it), and then bought some great ones at Sweet Shoppe Designs (cuz they happened to be on sale, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the program).

Here's what I was able to do, with just ONE CLICK!! Yeah, I'm still not over it!
Original:

"Antique Pop" preset:

"Muted Pop" preset:

"Yellow Only" preset:


Hope that helps!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Trude, those are AWESOME!!

Exactly why I love LR.

[katrinak]

Well now I feel like a big loser :P I'm with you Trude the presets are cool!

I'm having the biggest learning block with how saving and catalogues really work. I guess I'm off to listen to some podcasts!

[lenasmommy]

wow Trude - those pictures look awesome!!

[hendon]

Wow those pictures are amazing!

[Baylorgrad]

I'm growing more and more convinced I *need* this program! Your pictures are gorgeous, Trude!

[trudem]

Aw shucks you guys are making me blush.

Originally Posted by katrinak

Well now I feel like a big loser :P I'm with you Trude the presets are cool!

I'm having the biggest learning block with how saving and catalogues really work. I guess I'm off to listen to some podcasts!

All I've done so far is import, do the presets, adjust if necessary and then export them to save. Other than that I think I'll have to actually buy it before I bother! Plus I need to do some backups and clear things off my computer, because I had to do a force shutdown twice in one night because it would get to a point in the export process and freeze! Crazy business for a Mac, I know! I probably need to upgrade it a bit, it being 2 years old and all, LOL!

[LauraM]

yes, your pics are gorgeous. You've inspired me to look into Lightroom!

[FlowerGirl]

Thanks to Trude's photos, I downloaded the trial last night! I'm so easily influenced

[Starlite9711]

Ok LOVE Lightroom but Im with Katrina, its taking me a bit to figure out. I just did a family photoshoot (aside from having over 600 photos) Im having a heck of a time figuring out the whole cataloging and just how it works.. LOL. I cant even get the WOW presets to load......duh. But I have managed to make exposure adjustments on my own and its pretty easy. I guess the main thing is figure out how to use the program before you dive in with over 600 photos!! Lol

[digigal]

Oh, drooling over Lightroom! I have PSCS, isn't it only for PSCS3? (wish I could afford it!)

[MacGirl]

Has anyone done any organizing in Lightroom? Bridge drives me batty. Sometimes it just closes for no reason (I do have 50,000 plus photos - but that's from 1968 - 2008!) - it's not up to the CS3 standards.

I might try Shoebox, but before I waste time with it - I thought I'd ask about LR. . .

[trudem]

Originally Posted by Starlite9711

Ok LOVE Lightroom but Im with Katrina, its taking me a bit to figure out. I just did a family photoshoot (aside from having over 600 photos) Im having a heck of a time figuring out the whole cataloging and just how it works.. LOL. I cant even get the WOW presets to load......duh. But I have managed to make exposure adjustments on my own and its pretty easy. I guess the main thing is figure out how to use the program before you dive in with over 600 photos!! Lol

If you right-click on the presets area on the left (like you actually have to click on the words "User Presets"), you can choose to load them from wherever you have them saved on your computer. I had to figure that one out for myself - lucky mistake, I think! When I did the WOW presets though, it did an autorun program that did it for me, but it might be different cuz of my Mac.

Stacy - yet another person I'm a bad influence on, LOL! But hey, it's free right?

[lenasmommy]

Originally Posted by Digigal

Oh, drooling over Lightroom! I have PSCS, isn't it only for PSCS3? (wish I could afford it!)

I have PS CS2 - and Lightroom. I run all my pictures through Lightroom before scrapping. You can actually fix a pic and save what you did for another picture
If you check here and you have a proof that someone from your family is a student (like a report card), Lightroom is $100.

http://www.academicsuperstore.com/

Michelle: I haven't done any organizing in Lightroom I import my pics, export them and scrap

[digigal]

Thanks, Dagmar! I always forget about the academicsuperstore! On to the next problem, guess I have to get PSCS2 or 3 to make it work.

[digigal]

Wait . . Trudem -- Are you using Lightroom with "Photoshop Elements" ?? If so, maybe I can use it with PSCS hmmmm . . . gonna look into this.

[Baylorgrad]

Originally Posted by Digigal

Wait . . Trudem -- Are you using Lightroom with "Photoshop Elements" ?? If so, maybe I can use it with PSCS hmmmm . . . gonna look into this.

From what I understand, Lightroom is a separate program entirely. Doesn't matter if you have Elements, CS2 or CS3!

[Starlite9711]

Thanks Trude! I figured out my problem. I knew how to get them to load but then I couldn't find them on my computer, they werent where I had unzipped them. Silly me all I had to do was restart LR and they were there. Duh.

[trudem]

Originally Posted by Starlite9711

Thanks Trude! I figured out my problem. I knew how to get them to load but then I couldn't find them on my computer, they werent where I had unzipped them. Silly me all I had to do was restart LR and they were there. Duh.

LOL dontcha hate it when that happens?

And Kelly is right, it's a totally separate program (and not as huge, yay!).

I also got linked to some more free presets through DST, by Kelsey Smith. You can access them here on her blog, and then she has her own Flickr group for people who've used them! So cute!

[belle]

yes it is a separate program it works a lot like a photographers darkroom it is not a image creating the program and does not take the place of elements or photoshop. it is more a photography program. I have some new presets for lightroom i will post some examples later today

Belle