Lightroom, or Photoshop?

[Torgian]

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So I have Lightroom already, since it came with my Leica... but I'm curious if I should make the jump and buy photoshop.

 

I'm a student so I should be able to get the student discount rate, but is it worth it? Right now my digital workflow seems (to me) fairly minimal. However, I would like to eventually print my own photos, maybe even make a photo book to publish in the future. I'm not sure if Lightroom alone would be good for this, or if Photoshop would be a good buy.

 

Also, I like the Nik package, especially silverlight. I've tried out the demo on Lightroom, and it makes black and white conversions quite nicely. If I don't go for Photoshop, I might go forward and buy the Nik package for those plugins.

 

But... photoshop can do all the things you can do in the Nik package plugins, right?

 

Thoughts, opinions? I need to decide by noon tomorrow, since i leave for Japan in that afternoon, and would rather buy it here than in Japan if it's gonna be a good buy.

[Jeff S]

This can evoke strong opinions, much like cameras and camera brands. One generally likes the program that they've started with and used most (including ones you don't mention). There are trade-offs no matter what, and every iteration offers newer and better (usually) features and results. And, one must also consider not just editing preferences, but library and cataloguing needs.

 

I started with both LR and PS, but now find that LR suffices for 95% of my needs, which includes frequent printing. The printing workflow spans many variables from camera to framed print, and the editing program is but one.

 

My suggestion is to practice and learn one workflow, whatever that is, until you become proficient enough to determine deficiencies, if any. If I were starting fresh, I'd first dive deep into LR. Others don't like it, and will disagree. Same with Nik…I don't use it; many swear by it. Such is life on the forum; only you can decide what feels comfortable.

 

Jeff

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[DigitalHeMan]

I can do most of what I need in Lightroom, and only have to resort to Photoshop occasionally. However I use the Nik plugins frequently, especially for black and white conversions.

 

Rather than buying photoshop outright you could look at Creative cloud for Photographers - basically 10$ per month to always have the latest version of Lightroom, Photoshop, Bridge, and some other apps.

 

 

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[250swb]

Photoshop is still my main editor, not because I know all of Photoshop, or need to know even a fraction of Photoshop, but the few tools I use work so much better than Lightroom that it isn't even an option for me to think of Lightroom as a competitor. However, the full Nik photo suite with Color Efex etc is a powerful addon to Lightroom (as it is to Photoshop), and then there is the other option of something like onOne 'Perfect Photo Suite 8' that may be an ideal addon to Lightroom, or even as a standalone, perhaps even with the Nik Suite from Google? The main thing is to decide what tools you want, perhaps traditional dodging and burning and easy selections and specific tools from Photoshop, or a more fast and furious based commercial throughput of Lightroom.

 

Steve

[Jeff S]

….The main thing is to decide what tools you want, perhaps traditional dodging and burning and easy selections and specific tools from Photoshop, or a more fast and furious based commercial throughput of Lightroom.

 

That's too funny. Yep, my main objective after 40 years of darkrooms was "fast and furious."

 

See what I mean, Torgian?

 

Jeff

[Torgian]

I think I'm gonna stick to Lightroom and buy the Google Nik package. I really can't see any reason for me to do editing beyond what Lightroom provides.

[stephan_w]

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I think I'm gonna stick to Lightroom and buy the Google Nik package. I really can't see any reason for me to do editing beyond what Lightroom provides.

 

this is a good choice, you will have all you need for processing photos in the most advanced manner.

 

Nevertheless, if you want to add text and make some composing, then Photoshop SE should be a good addition. Especially as it works fine together with Lightroom and Nik.

[sanyasi]

I started with Lightroom and worked my way through 4 versions. It is an excellent program. I also use the Nik suite of products, which is also excellent. A year ago, I devoted considerable time to learning Photoshop, including layers and masking--I read five or six books cover to cover, watched videos, and read blogs. I am not into compositing or replacing the sky--just photo processing. For me, Photoshop is the better way to go because it permits me to make more subtle and location specific adjustments than Lightroom. You can do a lot with Lightroom, but if you are going to get deep into post processing, I think you will find Photoshop to be an invaluable tool that is head and shoulders above most else is out there.

 

I never liked the Lightroom catalogue. Nor did I like Bridge. I added Photo Mechanic to my workflow and find that it works well for me because I can add IPTC (or whatever the initials are) data globally. In case you are not familiar with Photo Mechanic, it is purely a cataloguing and importing program, although you can invoke photo processing from within it.

 

I found that although I have a basic workflow, it constantly changes, so don't assume that you will reach a permanent solution. If I were a student, I would take advantage of the deeply discounted products to learn about them.

 

Good luck.

[erudolph]

Both programs are useful to me. All shots tweaked in LR. The selects often need some further work in PS,

[kdriceman]

I use LR extensively, but have need to use PS for more involved editing fairly frequently. I think that ultimately you will want it or something like it. BUT, it is expensive and Adobe is making it difficult to be loyal with the required creative cloud subscription model. That model may make your student discount short-lived.

 

An alternative you might want to look into is GIMP http://www.gimp.org/ . Sorry, I know little about it, but if was recently talking to a photography/editing instructor at Rice University who spoke highly of it and is considering migrating more of his personal work to the GIMP platform.

 

 

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[tdavis]

Gimp est gut BUT only for PC or OSX (I believe) -Tim

[kcnarf]

Try out OnOne Software's Perfect Photo Suite 8, available as a stand-alone or plug-in for PS or LR and Aperture. It gives great results and even does layers & masking, plus it's easier and quicker to use than PS. It's also much cheaper.