What’s Your Preference?

apush2011 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 03:47 AM

Should I buy Lightroom 3 or Photoshop CS5? Are there editing features available in one that aren't available in the other? Would I be able to edit jpeg images in the program? What is the big difference between Lightroom and Photoshop? Please answer in layman's terms. Thanks!

Tzetsin · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 04:17 AM

Ah well this is an easy answer. And its not an easy answer.

Photoshop cs5 is the godfather of all other photo editing programs. If it can be done to a photo, your almost guaranteed that CS 5 can do it.

Lightroom is like the grandchild of photoshop. Its learned a lot from its grand daddy, but its got some bright new ideas too.

Photoshop is for doing MAJOR edits to a photo, and as a result the learning curve is extremely steep.

Lightroom is for cataloging your images, doing minor edits and preparing them for print (or web). Photoshop is more powerful for editing, but cannot catalog or create slide shows like lightroom can. Also, Lightrooms prepare to print section is a lot more intuitive than photoshop's.

In a general sense, Lightroom is the better program for everyday tasks. While photoshop is the better program for any major editing you might need to do.

photoshop is a truck. Heavy, cumbersome, difficult to drive.
Lightroom is a car. Light, agile, easy to operate.

Most people can get away with driving a car, but almost everyone needs a truck "sometimes" but it usually doesn't make sense to drive a truck every day, if you know what I mean.

This probably isnt an adequate explanation, but suffice to say that if you want it all and have the money... get both. If you don't have the money... lightroom is great and more intuitive, unless your planning on doing a lot of major editing, then photoshop is the one you want.

Guessing from your apparent lack of knowledge on each program, you probably want to get lightroom. It is MUCH much more user friendly.

apush2011 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 04:26 AM

Thank you! Would I be able to make a "double exposure" and play with layers/layered photos in Lightroom?

Tito87 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 04:36 AM

No layers in LR.

apush2011 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 04:41 AM

Thanks you!

Madog · #6 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 07:08 AM

Try them out!
CS5, Lightroom, and Elements all have trial offers for 30 days each from adobe, so you can test them out before committing to one.

zona5101 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 01:00 PM

in an unconstrained setup, you'd have both. There is enough difference in them to support having both.

doctorjames · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

Ah well this is an easy answer. And its not an easy answer.

Photoshop cs5 is the godfather of all other photo editing programs. If it can be done to a photo, your almost guaranteed that CS 5 can do it.

Lightroom is like the grandchild of photoshop. Its learned a lot from its grand daddy, but its got some bright new ideas too.

Photoshop is for doing MAJOR edits to a photo, and as a result the learning curve is extremely steep.

Lightroom is for cataloging your images, doing minor edits and preparing them for print (or web). Photoshop is more powerful for editing, but cannot catalog or create slide shows like lightroom can. Also, Lightrooms prepare to print section is a lot more intuitive than photoshop's.

In a general sense, Lightroom is the better program for everyday tasks. While photoshop is the better program for any major editing you might need to do.

photoshop is a truck. Heavy, cumbersome, difficult to drive.
Lightroom is a car. Light, agile, easy to operate.

Most people can get away with driving a car, but almost everyone needs a truck "sometimes" but it usually doesn't make sense to drive a truck every day, if you know what I mean.

This probably isnt an adequate explanation, but suffice to say that if you want it all and have the money... get both. If you don't have the money... lightroom is great and more intuitive, unless your planning on doing a lot of major editing, then photoshop is the one you want.

Guessing from your apparent lack of knowledge on each program, you probably want to get lightroom. It is MUCH much more user friendly.

This, absolutely.

I have and use both. Lightroom gets about 95% of my time/attention.

It is important that you recognise that the two programs are designed to do different things.

Lightroom is for workflow (importing, cataloging, tagging, exporting, printing e.t.c)
some of this workflow is minor editing (lightroom calls it 'developing') like cropping, adjusting exposure e.t.c. It has some fairly powerful tools too, for correcting images. Correction is the important word here.

Photoshop is for editing. While you can 'correct' in photoshop it also allows you to edit, to move/remove features. To combine, to layer, to do practically anything you could think of to your image.

It depends what you want to do. Both require learning to use them properly. Even lightroom isnt super intuitive, if it was then it wouldnt be as powerful as it is.

Lightroom is cheaper, if that makes a difference.

I would recommend the trial of both.

Out of curiosity, why do you need 'extended'?...