Lightroom 3 Beta - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

10/22/2009 09:21:17 AM · #1

Looks like Adobe has just released lightroom 3 beta. Looks like they have improved noise control and added an add grain function as well. They also apparently fixed the post crop vignette which I look forward to seeing. Here is a link to Scott Kelby's blog to see some of the new features and he has a link to download the beta.

Louis

Nikon D800

10/22/2009 10:22:43 AM · #2

Direct link. You'll need an account with Adobe to download the beta.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/22/2009 11:12:55 AM · #3

THanks for the heads up - watching the `whats new` video now. Big noises being made regarding sharpening and noise-reduction - looking forward to testing those out. Import dialogue looks more integral to the whole system instead of pop-up box.

Hopefully it doesnt slow it down anymore though.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

10/22/2009 11:22:16 AM · #4

Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/22/2009 11:39:00 AM · #5

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Rob - Lightroom is super easy to use - once you get your head around the concept of working in catalogues instead of directly from the drive, you`'ll be fine! I don`t think I even use 50% of its full potential - but what I do use I really enjoy.

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

10/22/2009 12:00:11 PM · #6

I've been learning myself and once you get the hang of it you'll be using it all the time. Just don't go looking for a 'save' button...

What I really like about it is getting your settings on one photo and then being able to copy them want to similar pictures. Also, it is so cool to edit in CS4, save it, and it automatically goes back into LR.

10/22/2009 12:00:34 PM · #7

I just used the Grain engine and it worked beautifully (life is good). No need for me to get Nik Silver. The Post Crop Vignette filter is also nicer.

Whats the buzz about the Sharpening and Noise reduction? Haven't read anything yet...

Message edited by author 2009-10-22 12:01:28.

10/22/2009 12:14:07 PM · #8

Originally posted by pawdrix:

From what I read the noise reduction is more of a pro line noise reducer now with claims that you will not need noise plugins like Neat Image or Noise Ninja. I haven't read anything about the sharpening engine on the program but it would be sweet if it is improved as well. I'm going to download the beta later today and hope to give it a whirl.

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

10/22/2009 12:18:31 PM · #9

I take it the beta won't mess with your current installation? I'm tempted to dl it myself tonight.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

10/22/2009 12:19:54 PM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Bear - start taking some of the online tutorials and watch the videos on their site. Once you find out how much it can really do you will find yourself spending way less time in Photoshop as Lightroom can do some of what Photoshop does so much easier.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/22/2009 12:28:55 PM · #11

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Bear - start taking some of the online tutorials and watch the videos on their site. Once you find out how much it can really do you will find yourself spending way less time in Photoshop as Lightroom can do some of what Photoshop does so much easier.

Lightroom IMO, is the easiest software I've had my hands on. I barely use PS if only to D&B, resize or add a border. I may blow off using PS altogether...

Message edited by author 2009-10-22 12:32:16.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

10/22/2009 12:33:40 PM · #12

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Unfortunately instructional videos don't work for me, because I'm deaf and the voice-over is required for comprehension.

R.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

10/22/2009 12:37:45 PM · #13

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Bear - start taking some of the online tutorials and watch the videos on their site. Once you find out how much it can really do you will find yourself spending way less time in Photoshop as Lightroom can do some of what Photoshop does so much easier.

Unfortunately instructional videos don't work for me, because I'm deaf and the voice-over is required for comprehension.

R.

I could mail you my lightroom 1 book, it has alot of the same layout and functions. It won't have any of the upgrades like spot editing or the such but it could lay a decent foundation on some things. Let me know if you want with a PM and I'll ship it to ya.

Louis

Nikon D800

10/22/2009 12:38:19 PM · #14

Originally posted by Ken:

I take it the beta won't mess with your current installation? I'm tempted to dl it myself tonight.

Correct. As it's beta, it's not recommended that you use it for your regular workflow. Testing only. Also, it can't open pre beta 3 catalogs. You'll need to import photos into an empty catalog.

Grain is beautiful. Very realistic; much more than "noise". The sharpening is quite impressive as well. No need to view the image at 100% to see the effects of sharpening. This version may take Photoshop out of the workflow for some photos (at least for me). We'll see.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

10/22/2009 12:40:34 PM · #15

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Now if I can just figure out how to USE the danged thing...

R.

Bear - start taking some of the online tutorials and watch the videos on their site. Once you find out how much it can really do you will find yourself spending way less time in Photoshop as Lightroom can do some of what Photoshop does so much easier.

Lightroom IMO, is the easiest software I've had my hands on. I barely use PS if only to D&B, resize or add a border. I may blow off using PS altogether...

I'm with you on this Steve, I hardly go to PS now especially now that all my Nik plugins work straight from Lightroom. With some more of the improvements they look like they added it will have to be for some serious editing to go to the mothership anymore..

johst582

Nikon D80

10/22/2009 01:09:25 PM · #16

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Lightroom IMO, is the easiest software I've had my hands on. I barely use PS if only to D&B, resize or add a border. I may blow off using PS altogether...

There are free plugins to Lightroom for borders (Mogrify), and dodge & burn can in some cases be replaced by selective brushing of exposure or brightness adjustment. I love Lightroom!

The clone tool, however, is way behind Photoshop's. Only useful for cloning out sensor dust and other spot-shaped things like pimples.

EstimatedEyes

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8

10/22/2009 01:20:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Unfortunately instructional videos don't work for me ...

Lightroom is a very intuitive program ... five modules at the top, focus on Library and Develop to start. Import a random image to Lightroom using the Import button on the Library tab. Check the box that tells the program to keep the file in its original location. Go to the Develop module and start playing around. Knowing your penchant for PS and HDR tools, my guess is it won't take you very long to get the hang of it.

(Develop mod has Columns left and right. Left column shows presets and, a bit farther down, history, with a snapshot button to save works in progress. Right column are the develop tools, organized logically top to bottom in the way you would normally process an image.)

(Library mod has some great tools for catalgouing and keywording your images. Also fun to play with, but much less intuitive than the Develop module, imo)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

10/22/2009 01:28:52 PM · #18

Originally posted by johst582:

Originally posted by pawdrix:
Lightroom IMO, is the easiest software I've had my hands on. I barely use PS if only to D&B, resize or add a border. I may blow off using PS altogether...

There are free plugins to Lightroom for borders (Mogrify), and dodge & burn can in some cases be replaced by selective brushing of exposure or brightness adjustment. I love Lightroom!

The clone tool, however, is way behind Photoshop's. Only useful for cloning out sensor dust and other spot-shaped things like pimples.

For the D&B...I kinda wish it looked and operated exactly the same, way without even a slight difference, from the way it looks and operates in PS. And I suppose that goes for the clone tool, as well. The way they function in LR completely sucks for me. Probably my only complaint about the program.

Message edited by author 2009-10-22 13:29:52.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

10/22/2009 01:49:46 PM · #19

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Shoot Robert I forgot. Knowing you through DPC it is easy to forget you are deaf. You might get a little out of watching them but obvioulsy without voice over it wouold be a shot in the dark. In any case I learn by playing and what the videos and a few conferences I've goon to have done for me is show me how much more there is to the program than first meets the eye. Maybe one of the books could help. Maybe you can try one of Scott Kelby's books?

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

10/22/2009 02:23:34 PM · #20

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Maybe you can try one of Scott Kelby's books?

I used his book to learn LR2, and it sure got me through it.