Is it better to crop for print in LR or PS?

[Rose Colored Lens]

I find that Photoshop gives a little more freedom, if I wanted to crop out a certain thing, but I'm not sure if the crop (for printing 8x10, 5x7, etc) in Lightroom is better? This is my first paid job and I want to do it right. Any opinions?

[OsmosisStudios]

I only use Photoshop, so I can't comment on Lightroom's effectiveness

[zona5101]

One of the big differences between croping in LR and cropping in PS is that when you save your image in photoshop your crop is done. Unless you have saved another copy of the image you can not go back. In LR, Crops are like overlays. You can export the cropped image but if you come back into LR you can undo or redo your crop (or any of the other LR deveop adjustments).

[equilution]

Originally Posted by zona5101

One of the big differences between croping in LR and cropping in PS is that when you save your image in photoshop your crop is done. Unless you have saved another copy of the image you can not go back. In LR, Crops are like overlays. You can export the cropped image but if you come back into LR you can undo or redo your crop (or any of the other LR deveop adjustments).

Zona makes a good point. I crop and export all day long using LR. I display many of my shots locally in 11x14. LR is the best tool I've ever used for everything "editing." Just make sure the main components of the picture are near enough to maintain the composition that you want, and still fit within the aspect ratio after the crop.

...my 2 cents.

PS...I also love that you can easily export an image after making the slightest change to it, and continue on working to achieve the effects you want.

Check out my "Croposition" thread, as well as the article I wrote on Wikipiedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croposition

[jdepould]

I think LR is a little easier to work with, but as long as you're working with copies of files (you are, aren't you?), there's effectively no difference.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by jdepould

I think LR is a little easier to work with, but as long as you're working with copies of files (you are, aren't you?), there's effectively no difference.

So I modify a photo, color balance, saturation crop, etc. In PS while I am still modifing the image I can go to the history pallet and remove a step, redo or adjust. Once I save it I'm done. I have to go all the way back to the original file and redo the color balance , the saturation and the crop (unless I am progressively renaming and each step in PS). In LR, I don't have to start over. I open up LR, select the image and redo just the crop without changing/ redoing any of the color settings. That seems like a pretty effective difference.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by zona5101

So I modify a photo, color balance, saturation crop, etc. In PS while I am still modifing the image I can go to the history pallet and remove a step, redo or adjust. Once I save it I'm done. I have to go all the way back to the original file and redo the color balance , the saturation and the crop (unless I am progressively renaming and each step in PS). In LR, I don't have to start over. I open up LR, select the image and redo just the crop without changing/ redoing any of the color settings. That seems like a pretty effective difference.

No, work in layers, and don't crop your lossless file. Just crop the jpg.

[equilution]

Originally Posted by jdepould

No, work in layers, and don't crop your lossless file. Just crop the jpg.

I've found layers in PS Elements to be way too complicated, where LR was a magnitude easier to use during the first use.

Personal preference I guess, since PS was around long before LR, and most people are more familiar with it.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by equilution

I've found layers in PS Elements to be way too complicated, where LR was a magnitude easier to use during the first use.

Personal preference I guess, since PS was around long before LR, and most people are more familiar with it.

I use Lightroom, I can't stand Photoshop. But as long as you name your layers appropriately, it shouldn't be hard.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by jdepould

No, work in layers, and don't crop your lossless file. Just crop the jpg.

Right on thanks. I have an old school version of PS and cropping affects all layers. Thanks for setting me straight.