Photography Workflow Change

[DesignerDigitals]

I dumped Lightroom.

Prior to this week I had imported into Lightroom and then processed the photo in Photoshop CS4. After talking with a leading National Geographic photographer a few weeks ago he told me that most pro-photographers use Photo Mechanic rather than Lightroom.

I checked it out and made the switch. First off, IT IS FAST! Loading, tagging, organizing, etc. it is FAST! It is NOT a photo editor, just an organization tool with a few tools that Lightroom does not have. And with the new CS5 coming out, I'll be working there more than ever. It even allows me to bring in or convert my raw files to DNG format for archival purposes.

And it made even more sense after watching Scott Kelby's 7 point system for processing in CS5 Camera Raw at Kelby Training. And it helps being married to a top Photoshop user for further guidance if needed.

[KerryMac]

That sounds interesting. I'm going to check it out. My biggest complaint with LR has always been the sloooowwwnesssss of it.
I really only use it now for processing of large groups of photos; weddings and such.
Thanks, Randy!

[DonnaNJ]

Oh Wow! That looks impressive... I'm going to give the trial version a try when I get home. Thanks Randy

[Starlite9711]

Thanks for that info Randy, I heard someone talking about this program last week at a camera club mtg. I am eager to check it out! You have a good point about CS5, I will probably be doing more editing there in the future.......more to think about

[HeidiKnight]

Great info, Randy! I'm going to have to rethink the way I edit photos when the time to upgrade PS comes. Thanks for the link to Photo Mechanic! Keep those tips coming!

[AllynD]

I'm such a follower... [sigh]

[nativescrapper]

Thanks for the info Randy, going to go check it out

[kathie02]

Thanks for the sharing this....now i need to find the photoshop expert without dumping my dh....lol!! Suppose SK needs a room for a month or so?

[echogirl]

Say it isn't so Randy. I JUST figured out lightroom!!

[DesignerDigitals]

My Upgrade Thoughts:

If you only have Lightroom or Aperture, stay there.
If you only have Photoshop, get Photo Mechanic.
If you have Photoshop and Lightroom, switch from Lightroom to Photo Mechanic.

[audrey77]

Hmmm. I think I use Lightroom differently then you. I use Lightroom to do all of my post processing. I only use Photoshop these days for scrapping.

[mugsbigsis]

Well, I'll have to check it out because I do NO editing in LR only organizing. Thanks, Randy.

[Amy L]

I have been ready to try Lightroom for some time; just can't seem to find the time to learn it. Thanks, Randy, will definitely check into this.

[Elena]

Just curious... if it is good for organizing and tagging photos, might it be good for organizing and tagging digi supplies?

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by Elena

Just curious... if it is good for organizing and tagging photos, might it be good for organizing and tagging digi supplies?

Could be. I just didn't look at it from that way. There are a ton more fields that can be used/edited for the JPG's and PNG's for sorting, etc.

[iUma]

I've been looking at the trial which I downloaded yesterday. It does not show pngs and looks like it is for serious management of photos. I'll be getting PSCS5 with the new camera raw and bridge in that but I too, use Lightroom 3.2 beta and am very happy with it...
Randy I watched the intro to Scott's 7 point process but I'm not a member of NAPP so that was all I could see. If you join do you have access to these videos?
Thanks for pushing us in these new directions.

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by iUma

I've been looking at the trial which I downloaded yesterday. It does not show pngs and looks like it is for serious management of photos.

I've never tried PNG's only RAW and JPG. I know that PNG's are supported and have to try bringing them in to see what happens.

Originally Posted by iUma

I'll be getting PSCS5 with the new camera raw and bridge in that but I too, use Lightroom 3.2 beta and am very happy with it...

If you're happy than stay with Lightroom. I switched because this tool does a little more but is FAST. And if you have Photoshop CSx why have two photo editing programs?

Originally Posted by iUma

Randy I watched the intro to Scott's 7 point process but I'm not a member of NAPP so that was all I could see. If you join do you have access to these videos?

You do not have to be a member of NAPP but just join Kelby Training to view this and a TON more video training segments. You can pay by the month or by the year.

Originally Posted by iUma

Thanks for pushing us in these new directions.

Welcome.

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by iUma

I've been looking at the trial which I downloaded yesterday. It does not show pngs and looks like it is for serious management of photos.

I just opened a folder with PNG's and it opened them up and displayed them with no problem. I was also able to add tags, etc to them and it worked great.

[iUma]

Randy would you please let me know here how you activate viewing the pngS? and I'm heading to town for high speed and will definitely join MR. Scott's training site for this magical month of CS5!!

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by iUma

Randy would you please let me know here how you activate viewing the pngS?

I did File > Open Contact Sheet which displays all the folders. I then dragged the folder with the PNG's onto the main work area and presto blammo, there they were.

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by iUma

and I'm heading to town for high speed and will definitely join MR. Scott's training site for this magical month of CS5!!

Make sure to also watch the training on portrait re-touching. It's like 4+ hours long (you can watch it in segments) but very well worth the time.

[iUma]

Thanks. Know where I can purchase a few more hours a day!! LOL Love all this new info!

[anke]

Randy can I move in with you guys so I'll have that photoshop expert handy too
I use LR for the presets mostly, all the other editing can really be done in PS also, so I am going to look into that program. Thanks for keeping us up to date on stuff

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by anke

I use LR for the presets mostly, all the other editing can really be done in PS also, so I am going to look into that program. Thanks for keeping us up to date on stuff

So use Photoshop Camera Raw presets instead...

[iUma]

Here is what my pngs look like when I open with a new contact sheet....

Some in other files show up better but even those have odd square pixel splotches.....

Still having fun playing and learning and it is SO fast!

[echogirl]

Camera raw presets in photoshop? I need more info as I can't figure it out!