Posted by Ralph Kerr on October 16, 2007 at 10:17 AM
I am considering upgrading to Photoshop CS3. The adobe web sight recommends using together with lightroom. Any advice from you experienced users? Will CS3 work as photo editor on its own without Lightroom? What does Lightroom add? I can read the promotions on the web sight but I would like the benefit of the experience of users.
Up to now, I have been using Photoshop Elements 2.0, and I know I am way behind the technology curve.
Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated.
Ralph Kerr
Posted by Kelly Rowe on October 16, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Hi Ralph,
I use both Lightroom and CS3 in my business. CS3 is the gold standard among photo editing software and certainly can stand alone without Lightroom. The CS3 file browser, Bridge, is superb compared to its predecessors. So, why Lightroom? It is very much like working in the darkrooms of the past. It has a very intuitive cataloging feature. It doesn't edit your pixels, it only records changes you've made to them (including changes made in CS3 if you jump there from Lightroom). It has many of the global image editing features found in CS3, and several not found in CS3 (vibrance, fill light, etc.) and is a quite powerful image editor in its own right. Typically, we will import a session into Lightroom, pick some proof candidates, make any corrections necessary, export the corrected versions and upload them to our proofing site for our clients to view. Once they've made their picks, we go back to LR, flag them, and do the final editing in CS3. Unless you are doing a lot of detailed editing (removing crows feet from eyes, lightening yellowed teeth, using layers, etc.) Lightroom may be all you need.
Posted by Zack Schnepf on October 16, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Just my own opinion, but I think if you have CS3, you don't "need" Lightroom. I used to use lightroom, but since CS3 comes with ACR4.1+ and Bridge, I don't ever use it anymore. The only thing I would use lightroom for now is cataloging and organizing, but at the moment that is not a big issue for me. CS3 is where I do all my heavy lifting.
Posted by Bill Chambers on October 16, 2007 at 2:29 PM
Gee, Adobe recommending that you buy two of it's expensive products. Can you imagine that? Sorry for the dripping sarcasm, but my question for Adobe is why didn't they combine the two products into one instead of trying to rip people off getting them to buy two programs that are redundant in so many areas. I tried LR during the free trial period, and I didn't see the need for it at all. CS3 is plenty sufficient on it's own IMO. Adobe lost a lot of credibility with me with Lightroom. Greed is not a pretty thing.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 16, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Ralph,
I'm a "started on Elements 3.0 and moved to CS2" user, and I'll tell ya, when you install CS3 and start learning it (Adobe's Classroom in a Book isn't a bad place to start), you are going to be blown away with the editing power you'll now own. CS3 will do so much more than you're now used to, you won't have time to think about Lightroom. The built-in Adobe Bridge is a fine cataloger and integrates Camera Raw quite nicely, so you really won't miss anything Lightroom has to offer. Now, the first post by BBQBluesStringer is interesting because he really has a good workflow down that utilizes both worlds. Could he get away with just CS3? Probably. But since he has the software and an established workflow, that works for him. But for most of us, you'll have it all with CS3. Look at Zack's work, or Bill Chambers', or even check out Marc Adamus' work... these fellas produce amazing work starting with their eye, then the camera, then Photoshop, and finally output. Lightroom not needed there! Save the $300 and buy a great tripod or APO tele-extender.
-Paul
Posted by Ralph Kerr on October 17, 2007 at 7:48 PM
Thanks to all of you for your information.
Ralph
Posted by Kent Staubus on October 18, 2007 at 12:44 AM
Here's something I've been pondering. I'm trying to decide between CS3 and PSE 6 + Nikon Capture. I keep hearing that the CS3 doesn't do so well with NEF files. I've been buying a lot of Nikon flash units and Elinchrom radio slaves lately, so I don't want to start blowing tons of $$ on software right now too. Is PSE 6 and Nikon NX a better option for Nikon shooters?
Discussion
6 repliesUp to now, I have been using Photoshop Elements 2.0, and I know I am way behind the technology curve.
Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated.
Ralph Kerr
I use both Lightroom and CS3 in my business. CS3 is the gold standard among photo editing software and certainly can stand alone without Lightroom. The CS3 file browser, Bridge, is superb compared to its predecessors. So, why Lightroom? It is very much like working in the darkrooms of the past. It has a very intuitive cataloging feature. It doesn't edit your pixels, it only records changes you've made to them (including changes made in CS3 if you jump there from Lightroom). It has many of the global image editing features found in CS3, and several not found in CS3 (vibrance, fill light, etc.) and is a quite powerful image editor in its own right. Typically, we will import a session into Lightroom, pick some proof candidates, make any corrections necessary, export the corrected versions and upload them to our proofing site for our clients to view. Once they've made their picks, we go back to LR, flag them, and do the final editing in CS3. Unless you are doing a lot of detailed editing (removing crows feet from eyes, lightening yellowed teeth, using layers, etc.) Lightroom may be all you need.
I'm a "started on Elements 3.0 and moved to CS2" user, and I'll tell ya, when you install CS3 and start learning it (Adobe's Classroom in a Book isn't a bad place to start), you are going to be blown away with the editing power you'll now own. CS3 will do so much more than you're now used to, you won't have time to think about Lightroom. The built-in Adobe Bridge is a fine cataloger and integrates Camera Raw quite nicely, so you really won't miss anything Lightroom has to offer. Now, the first post by BBQBluesStringer is interesting because he really has a good workflow down that utilizes both worlds. Could he get away with just CS3? Probably. But since he has the software and an established workflow, that works for him. But for most of us, you'll have it all with CS3. Look at Zack's work, or Bill Chambers', or even check out Marc Adamus' work... these fellas produce amazing work starting with their eye, then the camera, then Photoshop, and finally output. Lightroom not needed there! Save the $300 and buy a great tripod or APO tele-extender.
-Paul
Ralph
Kent in SD