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04/12/2011 01:29:30 PM · #1 |
| At the moment i do all of my processing in Lightroom and nik software's complete collection. Sometimes i think that i must be missing something by not having photoshop, so lately i've been considering buying it. will it improve my PP, or is it not worth it?. |
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04/12/2011 01:39:48 PM · #2 |
When you step into Photoshop, all the limits disappear; there's nothing you can't do. I can't imagine being without it. Lightroom's not primarily a processing tool, it's primarily an organizer and cataloger. It works very well for basic processing, but it has limits.
Whether you need Photoshop or not depends on how far you want to go, basically. It's also a matter of cost. If you can easily afford it, then get it. If it will cause hardship, belt-tightening, angst, then think hard about how much you need it.
As I say, I can't imagine being without it myself...
Others will weigh in with less-expensive alternatives, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.
R. |
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04/12/2011 01:42:41 PM · #3 |
You've certainly proven your chops with what you are using now, so I'm not sure you'd gain much. I'd suggest the more affordable PhotoShop Elements instead of Photoshop if you want to play around with something different and see if it gives you anything extra.
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04/12/2011 01:44:47 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
When you step into Photoshop, all the limits disappear; there's nothing you can't do. I can't imagine being without it. Lightroom's not primarily a processing tool, it's primarily an organizer and cataloger. It works very well for basic processing, but it has limits.
Whether you need Photoshop or not depends on how far you want to go, basically. It's also a matter of cost. If you can easily afford it, then get it. If it will cause hardship, belt-tightening, angst, then think hard about how much you need it.
As I say, I can't imagine being without it myself...
Others will weigh in with less-expensive alternatives, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.
R. |
Thanks robert, its not a financial thing with me, its more of a can i be bothered to go through the whole learning curve thing, is everything completely different to lightroom?, and will they work together?. |
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04/12/2011 01:49:27 PM · #5 |
Do you enjoy playing around with your options in Lightroom, or do you have a few presets that you use for most of your shots?
The reason I ask is that to make Photoshop worth while, you have to invest time and energy in learning and wresting what you want out of each image. If you resent having to put the time in to polish your images, and your great joy is having the camera in your hand, maybe elements is the way to go. If you enjoy playing with an image, seeing what you can do with it in the computer, Photoshop is the sandbox you want to play in.
And yes, they were made to work in concert. LR does the file keeping and searching, the editing on the less worthy shots. The keepers are cropped rotated and exposure shifted then sent to Photoshop to be made better.
Message edited by author 2011-04-12 13:51:50. |
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04/12/2011 01:57:19 PM · #6 |
| Thanks for the replies, in the next few days i'll download a 30 day trial and force myself to practice. I've been using lightroom from the very first day i picked up my first camera, its good not to stagnate so i'll give it a whirl. |
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04/12/2011 02:37:58 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by jagar:
At the moment i do all of my processing in Lightroom and nik software's complete collection. Sometimes i think that i must be missing something by not having photoshop, so lately i've been considering buying it. will it improve my PP, or is it not worth it?. |
As Bear mentioned, Lightroom is great for organization and cataloging, in addition to rapid proofing. It's not really a processing tool. Sure you can use it and the Nik software to process your final images as many do, but results tend to come out like everyone elses (a big turnoff for me these days). If you want your work to stand out I would definitely get Photoshop and learn it from the ground up. In other words, ignore all the filters/effects, including Nik's plugins and instead concentrate on things like adjustment layers, masking, freehand tools, etc. Once you know those like the back of your hand it opens up a lot of things. You'll be able to acheive true refinement in your work rather than be a slave to clunky selection tools found in most plugins. I know Nik has improved their U-Point technology, but it still doesn't compare to the level of refinement a skilled human being can accomplish. Not only that, but it'll make you feel less like a button pusher. |
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04/12/2011 03:37:23 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by yanko:
Originally posted by jagar:
At the moment i do all of my processing in Lightroom and nik software's complete collection. Sometimes i think that i must be missing something by not having photoshop, so lately i've been considering buying it. will it improve my PP, or is it not worth it?. |
As Bear mentioned, Lightroom is great for organization and cataloging, in addition to rapid proofing. It's not really a processing tool. Sure you can use it and the Nik software to process your final images as many do, but results tend to come out like everyone elses (a big turnoff for me these days). If you want your work to stand out I would definitely get Photoshop and learn it from the ground up. In other words, ignore all the filters/effects, including Nik's plugins and instead concentrate on things like adjustment layers, masking, freehand tools, etc. Once you know those like the back of your hand it opens up a lot of things. You'll be able to acheive true refinement in your work rather than be a slave to clunky selection tools found in most plugins. I know Nik has improved their U-Point technology, but it still doesn't compare to the level of refinement a skilled human being can accomplish. Not only that, but it'll make you feel less like a button pusher. |
I use Lightroom a lot with and without Presets. I recently bought CS5 when it was on a very good special (with free upgrade to CS5.5) but was not sure it was a good decision after all. Your post encourages me to invest quite a lot of time into the steep learning curve. I used Photoshop 7 years ago. What would be the fastest way to get up to speed with CS5? |
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04/12/2011 03:55:14 PM · #9 |
| To learn new way of working I really like Photoshop user magazine. Its step by step exercises are useful, even if they relate more to type and graphics I like to do them because I will find some weird blending mode or other arcana I have never used before in photo work, and then months later I find it works perfectly for an issue I can seem to resolve using my normal bag of tricks |
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04/12/2011 04:00:37 PM · #10 |
Photoshop Elements is always a good option if you don't want to spend the big bucks.
I have CS3 and Elements 8 (think it's up to 9 now)
Generally do my work in Elements 8
Depends how demanding you are and who type of work you want to do of course
You could start with Elements as I think you can upgrade to full photoshop from that if you think you need to lot later.
Just a thought. |
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04/12/2011 04:08:47 PM · #11 |
I was going to suggest that (doing the trial).
some things I would do as well:
- Search the internet for PS tips, tricks etc. Adobe also has its own thing that can help called Adobe TV
and specifically: Photoshop Be sure to use your 30 days as much as you can to make the right choice.
- See if anyone in your family qualifies for a student or educator discount. These are MAJOR discounts!
Tate
Originally posted by jagar:
Thanks for the replies, in the next few days i'll download a 30 day trial and force myself to practice. I've been using lightroom from the very first day i picked up my first camera, its good not to stagnate so i'll give it a whirl. |
Message edited by author 2011-04-12 16:09:17. |
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04/12/2011 04:20:16 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by tate:
- See if anyone in your family qualifies for a student or educator discount. These are MAJOR discounts!
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Ill second that, I got my first CS through my daughter for a little more than elements would have cost, then upgraded them into my name on the next cycle. Hunt around the discount is worth finding a friend , a niece, some passing stranger, who can let you use that discount. |
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04/12/2011 05:16:19 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by jagar:
At the moment i do all of my processing in Lightroom and nik software's complete collection. Sometimes i think that i must be missing something by not having photoshop, so lately i've been considering buying it. will it improve my PP, or is it not worth it?. |
It's worth it. Since I started to use Lightroom years ago, my use of Photoshop has decreased, but it's still necessary. I use it for cloning out unwanted elements, healing, dodging/burning, smoothing edges by pushing pixels, etc. Lightroom's tools for cloning, for example, don't compare at all to the powerful ones in Photoshop. |
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