Should I upgrade Photoshop, or Purchase Lightroom?

[jayfixit]

I've been currently using the supplied software from Canon to adjust exposure, whitebalance, etc on RAW images. Then, if I want to PP the photos anymore, I'll send a copy to Photoshop. I'm using version 7.0.1. I've never really kept up with what is the latest in Photoshop, and I was wondering if my copy is ancient, and the newer versions have more features. Also, can Lightroom do more than my current Photoshop 7 and Canon supplied software? I understand there might be some photo management, and batch processing ease with Lightroom, but are there any actual PP features I'm not taking advantage of with my current combo?

I posted here since I figured people would know more about the Canon supplied software here. Thanks!

[fractalgfx]

Actually, Lightroom does a lot less than Photoshop 7, but what it does it does very well. Lightroom is a great program because it allows photographers to quickly manage and process lots of pictures. In terms of features, lightroom is more like the Canon's software than Photoshop. Lightroom doesn't support layers, brushes, or any kind of masks.

For me Lightroom is a must have application. I don't own Photoshop and I doubt I would every use more than a fraction of Photoshop's features. Photoshop still has a lot of appealing features, but many of those features can be found in less expensive software.

For graphics pros who live and breath Photoshop there are no alternatives, but for everyone else there are several options. The Gimp and Paint.NET are completely free, so there is no reason not to try them.

I highly recommend the Pixel Image editor. Pixel is the only program that shows the potential to truly compete with photoshop. Pixel is still in a buggy beta state, but it is an impressive application, especial when you consider that it is developed entirely by one person. People who purchase Pixel now at a discount, will get the first full version for free. The Pixel license also allows you to use it on all of your computers .

[JTL]

For graphics pros who live and breath Photoshop there are no alternatives, but for everyone else there are several options. The Gimp and Paint.NET are completely free, so there is no reason not to try them.

I highly recommend the Pixel Image editor. Pixel is the only program that shows the potential to truly compete with photoshop. Pixel is still in a buggy beta state, but it is an impressive application, especial when you consider that it is developed entirely by one person. People who purchase Pixel now at a discount, will get the first full version for free. The Pixel license also allows you to use it on all of your computers .You forgot to mention one of the most competent of the PhotoShop competitors available...Paint Shop Pro X2. I own both PhotoShop CS2 and Paint Shop Pro X2 and am proficient at both. There is not a single function that I have found that PSP X2 doesn't do faster, easier and, in a lot of cases, better than CS2 (at 1/5th the price). The only thing I use CS2 for at this point is to run some great custom actions that I have.

[D Thompson]

I used to use Canon's DPP to convert my RAW files but quit when CS2 came out and I upgraded from v7. I'm currently running CS3 and love it. I don't have Lightroom as I don't need it so I can't say anything about it. Also, if you plan on upgrading to CS3 then v7 is the oldest version you can upgrade from. I've heard talk that with the next version Adobe may only allow upgrades from the previous version or two.

There is a lot of new stuff since v7. You should be able to go to Adobe's site and find the new features added since then. The main benefit is Bridge and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw). Adding these 2 features to Photoshop have really eased my workflow. I wasn't too fond of Bridge in CS2, but I am really liking the new version. ACR has a ton of flexibility to tweak your files. I'm finding I'm doing more in ACR and less in Photoshop.

Bridge CS3 - I use it to get the RAW files from my cards. It lets me import them and also select a folder to backup. So, in one swift batch my images are put on my C: drive and also by backup drive. It will automatically add metadata as well as other useful functions. I can preview the shots and rate them. There is also a loupe feature that lets you zoom in to 100% on the preview to really check details.

ACR - It has really become a very powerful conversion tool with many, many options. It has a healing & clone tool, but I still do all that in PS, unless it's just some little tiny spot. There are several tabs with various functions. Under the Basic tab - white bal (temp & tint), exposure, recovery (highlight), fill light, black point, brightness, contrast, clarity, vibrance, & saturation. Next is Tone curve. Detail lets you sharpen or preview sharpening and noise reduction. HSL/Gray tab lets you tweak the hue, saturation, and luminance in the reds, oranges, yellows, greens, aquas, blues, purples, and magentas. Talk about options! There is also a Lens Correction tab where you can tweak CA (purple fringing) and vignetting. A couple of other tabs that I rarely use. The good thing is all of your changes are non-destructive to the original RAW file as they are saved in a separate .xmp file.

Photoshop CS3 - has a fantastic black & white converter. Also, now you can convert a layer to "smart object" which is very useful. Probably several other features added since v7, but I can't think of them all at the moment.

CS3 including Bridge, ACR, and Photoshop has a 30 day trial that you can download and use. Give it a try.

Hope this helps a little.

[Turn]

I cannot live without layers.

I can say that CS3 isn't the best upgrade, I personally find that CS and CS 2 are just fine and what I do in CS3 I can do in CS/CS2

then again all I use is:


Burn/Dodge
Gradient Map (Layer)
Curves (Layer)
Mask tool
Crop tool

and thats it really...which all have been around since I dunno Photoshop 7?

I haven't used lightroom and my photos are already organized so I don't need it thus if you are like me then maybe just do a small upgrade to Photoshop.

[GaryS]

I use Canon DPP for RAW editing, and Photoshop Elements 4 for photo organization and detailed editing.

If I was going to spend money on software (and I will soon!) it would be for Lightroom. I generally do only cloning, layer merging (for different exposures) etc in Elements, and it has plenty of power for that.

I've played with the trial of lightroom, and I loved the tools available.

[forno]

The strong database features and non destructive editing are fantastic in LR

[fractalgfx]

You forgot to mention one of the most competent of the PhotoShop competitors available...Paint Shop Pro X2. I own both PhotoShop CS2 and Paint Shop Pro X2 and am proficient at both. There is not a single function that I have found that PSP X2 doesn't do faster, easier and, in a lot of cases, better than CS2 (at 1/5th the price). The only thing I use CS2 for at this point is to run some great custom actions that I have.

I can't get past the lack of channel editing in PSP. I think Corel made a major blunder when it purchased Paint Shop Pro. Paint Shop Pro is a suitable alternative for many users, but Corel Photopaint was the only program that ever made a serious effort to cater to Photoshop's professional users. I'm far from a professional, but I think that Paint Shop Pro is bloated with a lot of features which target casual users.

[sun5150]

Hope your computer is on the fast side and of course more memory the better.

[jayfixit]

Thanks for the replies. My computer is good as far as hardware goes. Never had problems with any photoshop, or even video editing task. I definitely will try the 30 days on both of them, but it doesn't sound like I'm really missing too much. I think there will have to be a pretty significant feature I like to drop ~$400+ (PS upgrade + LR).

I much rather buy a Speedlight and start learning about that. :D

[D Thompson]

Thanks for the replies. My computer is good as far as hardware goes. Never had problems with any photoshop, or even video editing task. I definitely will try the 30 days on both of them, but it doesn't sound like I'm really missing too much. I think there will have to be a pretty significant feature I like to drop ~$400+ (PS upgrade + LR).

I much rather buy a Speedlight and start learning about that. :D

Personally, I don't know why you'd need both the upgrade ($199) and Lightroom ($299). Just my thinking, but anything you could do in Lightroom can be done in CS3 (Bridge, ACR, Photoshop), but Lightroom may not be able to do everything CS3 can.

If DPP and PS7 does all you need it to do then invest in the Speedlight. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[toriaj]

I can't get past the lack of channel editing in PSP. ... I think that Paint Shop Pro is bloated with a lot of features which target casual users.

I agree with you about the casual users. PSP has teeth whitener, brush-on tan, etc :rolleyes: (Although I have used the teeth whitener, don't tell anyone :D)

I have PSP X, and it has Channel Mixer. It also has Hue Map and a separate Red/Green/Blue color adjuster. What do you use channel editing for that cannot be done in PSP?

My main gripe with PSP is the resizing. I'm really starting to see degrading in my images. And I think the selection tools could work better, or maybe it's just my skills or my touchpad mouse :rolleyes:

I've tried the trials of Elements, Lightroom, and Nikon Capture. I haven't used full Photoshop. Although I've liked many things in the programs I've tried, I haven't found anything to make me spring the cash for them. I use free Silkypix for my basic RAW editing and conversion to jpg.

[JTL]

I can't get past the lack of channel editing in PSP.The only "channel editing" that can't be done in PSP X2 is if you split the image into CMYK. The only need I can see for that kind of editing is if you already made your color separations and wanted to do a quick edit before they went to the off-set printer. Convenient...sure. A show stopper? Not unless you're doing a lot of (sloppy) pre-press work...in which case I would agree that PhotoShop would be the better tool. Now...how many people on this site do you think are doing pre-press work? :):D:)

You CAN channel edit RGB and HSL in Paint Shop Pro X2...so let's be specific! ;)

[fractalgfx]

You CAN channel edit RGB and HSL in Paint Shop Pro X2...so let's be specific! ;)

If say so, but the last version I used required you to split the channels into separate images and merge them back together.

I don't know a thing about pre-press work but channel editing still has it's uses. One of my favorite pictures was spoiled by some green splotches of mold. I was able to brush it out by dappling the desaturated brush to the green channel in the Pixel Image editor. I posted these pictures awhile back, because I was curious how people would do this in other software. All of the suggestions required creating a mask and using the global saturation controls.

I also find that that swapping and manipulating individual channel's to be the best way to create theme variations for web graphics, logos, and icons. Although might feel differently if I wasn't a talentless programmer who modifies pages by actual design artists.

[JTL]

If say so, but the last version I used required you to split the channels into separate images and merge them back together.

I don't know a thing about pre-press work but channel editing still has it's uses. One of my favorite pictures was spoiled by some green splotches of mold. I was able to brush it out by dappling the desaturated brush to the green channel in the Pixel Image editor. I posted these pictures awhile back, because I was curious how people would do this in other software. All of the suggestions required creating a mask and using the global saturation controls.

I also find that that swapping and manipulating individual channel's to be the best way to create theme variations for web graphics, logos, and icons. Although might feel differently if I wasn't a talentless programmer who modifies pages by actual design artists.Forgive me...yes you are correct...if you just want to change pixels on one channel, you have to split it out in PSP. You can't channel edit with a brush "in place". But, there are much easier ways (although, not as precise) to do selective color editing in PSP X2 than using a pixel editor. Of course, the level of precision is MUCH greater in PhotoShop. In PSP, I would select pixels that I wanted to remove color from, desat, change colors of, etc., set a range and radius, threshold press O.K. A blunt instrument to be sure...but one that works 90% of the time. But you're right...for fine, detailed work...still nothing beats the raw power of PhotoShop.

Just to give you some insight into what you can do with PSP...here's what I did to remove the mold in your top image with two clicks (and a mouse drag selection) in PSP X2. I could have made it even more precise had I spent more than 10 seconds on it! Once again, it will never be as precise as going in with a pixel brush on an individual color channel, but the time savings is extraordinary and the results are usally more than acceptable.

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/223974207-L.jpg

Nice image, BTW (and good PhotoShop skills!). :)

[fractalgfx]

Nice image (and editing work)! :)

Thanks, you can the full image (before I removed the mold, but after I super saturated the blue in the berries) on my Flickr page.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15921928@N03/1811206403/