If you own any type of digital camera, then you know that images can add up very quickly. My eyes often hurt from seeing people with tons of photos in a folder or worse still on their desktop. For those of us who enjoy tidiness or just want to take our photos to the next level, there are programs that help us keep order and manage our photographic life. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is one such program.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a complete photo management program with Adobe Photoshop features for basic editing and adjustments. Photo management programs have been around for a long time with programs like Adobe Bridge and Aperture. One of the most common free programs used by the public is a program called Picasa. In my opinion, Lightroom has outperformed all of these programs if it seamlessly integrates photo management, editing, and publishing. Lightroom has been around for several years and Adobe just released Lightroom 4 bit. Since the release of Lightroom 3 in 2010, they have some significant improvements in 4, mainly in the development section.
For those who use the program, it is divided into several important parts, also known as modules. The first module is known as the library module, it is used to organize your photos into catalogs or groups, as well as include metadata in the information and copyright information. One of the best features is the ability to easily tag your photos with keywords so you can easily find and organize them in the future. You can also rate photos and dismiss them without deleting them for easy viewing and editing. Organizing and cataloging your photos is really where this program shines.
The second most important module is the Develop module. You can do some amazing editing here that puts the program head and shoulders above the rest in terms of basic editing. Most programs offer basic photo fixing tools where Lightroom offers almost all of Photoshop’s capabilities at your fingertips. I often find myself doing edits in Lightroom before sending the photos to Photoshop for more complex edits. It’s amazing how you can improve your photos and let your artistic side run wild with this program.
Adobe’s latest modules never cease to amaze me, allowing you to print, create slideshows, and even post your photos to a web gallery. The amount of customization that can be done in these areas requires a class to fully utilize it. With that being said, I will warn fans that this program is very intense for a beginner. One of my photography classes in college was in Lightroom 3. It was a 6 month class and we never went through the entire program. If you do invest in this program, I would consider getting the manual with it or at least spending some time on YouTube to learn the basics.
With seamless integration with Adobe Photoshop and Bridge, I could never understand why it’s not part of Adobe Creative Suites. You have to buy this program separately, and cost wise most would think $150 for a program that just helps you organize your photos is too much, but as an avid user I use it for much more than that. I have had so many outbreaks that start and end with this program. In my opinion, it is one of the essential tools for any photographer. It is used by professionals and hobbyists alike. So if you really want to take your photos to the next level, grab a copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for Mac and PC today.
