Lightroom - Photoshop?

[LeicaBraz]

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Just making my very first post processing with Lightroom and quite happy. Still a long way to go. But was just wondering whether LR (4 in this case) is the end in itself or if one definitely needs to go and master Photoshop too.

 

Thanks for your comments.

[kdriceman]

Just making my very first post processing with Lightroom and quite happy. Still a long way to go. But was just wondering whether LR (4 in this case) is the end in itself or if one definitely needs to go and master Photoshop too.

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

It depends on the extent of processing you want to do. Lightroom can be the end for most purposes, but if you are going to do extensive editing using layers, focus-stacking, HDR... you will want to use Photoshop. For me, LR is sufficient for probably 95% of my images.

[sanyasi]

I own Photoshop, but I do most of my editing in Lightroom. I realize that many of the adjustment tools in Photoshop allow for my precision and targeted editing, but unless you know a lot about color theory, I don't find them very intuitive. I took a course and asked questions. I was told to experiment with the sliders and I'd eventually figure out what worked for me--not very satisfactory.

 

Having said that, I have found Photoshop to be useful, particularly after I learned how to make a selection and create a layer. Maybe it kicked in a bit, but a couple of weeks ago I spent the day photographing still life with three distinct elements. It was easy to select those elements, make three layer masks, and then do very targeted corrections in exposure and color. I certainly won't be doing that for every image (or even most), but knowing I can do it when the situation calls for it provides me with another useful tool in my workflow. I also like the panorama feature, some of the filters (blur), but I am never going to spend 40 hours on one photograph creating an alternative reality--as my instructor said she does. No interest.

 

If you are going to get into Photoshop, I highly recommend Martin Evenings' Photoshop for Photographers (not be confused with his workshop book, which is also good). I pretty much read it cover to cover (you can skip chapters describing the features you know you will never use). You can probably pick up a used copy cheap, but if you aren't in a hurry, you might wait for the release of CS6. Evenings books seem to follow close on the heals of new releases.

 

As for upgrading or buying new, I will upgrade to CS6 when it is released. My practice is to upgrade with each version of the software that I use. I read all these user comments about it not being worth it because there are not enough new features. In my view, if you are going to use software, you should follow upgrade cycles. Even if there are not radical new features, I have the sense that there are many under the hood improvements that impact performance. Moreover, and this is highly individual view, I find it ethical to do so. If I want new features and want to keep the software robust, I believe I should contribute the R & D. Just my view. Many will disagree.

 

If you don't want to go full boat, think about Photoshop Element. It is a lot cheaper, but from what I read, still powerful. I understand that it does have layer masking--but please verify.

 

You might also want to subscribe to Scott Kelby's training site. The videos are fantastic and many are aimed at beginners. For $25 a month, you can spend $25 and learn a lot on a rainy weekend.

 

Best regards and good luck

 

Jack Siegel