How is lightroom different from photoshop? Lightroom or Photoshop - what to choose? What is Adobe Photoshop

Adobe offers 2 popular programs for photo processing: Photoshop and Lightroom. Many novice photographers do not know which one is better to use. To make your choice easy, it's important to know what the differences are between Photoshop and Lightroom. Having understood the intricacies of working in these photo editors, you can choose one of them or use them in parallel.

This is a photo editor that is considered the most powerful among its analogues. Using Photoshop, you can carry out a huge number of manipulations: from creating drawings from scratch, to processing photographs, designing collages, posters, book covers and other printed and electronic products.

This editor has several hundred tools and thousands of functions. Photos after extensive processing can be changed beyond recognition. Photoshop is easy to use and allows you to install additional brushes, effects, patterns, and gradients from the Internet.

Photoshop is great for its versatility. Thanks to its wide range of tools, it is used by amateur photographers and professional designers. Installing Photoshop just to crop a photo seems frivolous. After all, it has wide capabilities in all areas of computer graphics.

This photo editor is designed for a full cycle of photo processing. It is suitable for quickly sorting and editing pictures. Lightroom is convenient because the main tools are not hidden in additional folders, but are located on the surface. Adobe Lightroom also allows you to apply processing to one photo to all others. You can create various processing options (presets), save them and later use them for selected images. This significantly saves time when working in this editor.

In general, the programs serve one purpose - image processing. If there is a desire and need to carry out post-processing, it is enough to install one of these photo editors.

Photoshop and Lightroom work with the same file types:

• JPEG;
• TIFF.

Both editors have the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) processor, designed for photo editing in .

Lightroom and Photoshop have similar elements for working with saturation, curves, and distortion correction.

Both Lightroom and Photoshop have great capabilities in image processing. They allow you to do everything from basic editing (for example, cropping a frame and ) to advanced processing (working with filters, curves, brushes).

Lightroom and Photoshop allow you to use built-in effects, immediately converting photos to , toning them, and adding artistic effects.

To understand which program is best suited for specific tasks, it is important to study the differences between Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. There are 3 main differences:

• image processing;
• editing tools;
• the working process.

The difference between Lightroom and Photoshop is that Lightroom does not change the original image. The applied effects and manipulations are saved in the catalog without affecting the original in any way. All processing stages are saved in the editor and, if desired, you can export the processed image to a computer, print it or post it on the Internet. In this case, the original will remain untouched. This processing method is called non-destructive.

It is very comfortable. Since the original photo remains unchanged, you can go back and edit it an unlimited number of times.

Photoshop works completely differently. All changes are saved on the original photo. This is why professionals advise always creating a copy of the layer before starting editing. This way the original remains intact. You can also save the original file in PSD format. Then you can return to processing it later and make all the necessary changes. However, such files weigh no more than tens of megabytes. Whereas the directory in which the editing stages in Lightroom are saved takes up minimal space on the computer, even if it contains information about thousands of images.

To apply non-destructive editing in Photoshop you will have to save 3 different files: original, PSD file and final image with all changes. Since the PSD format does not allow you to post the photo online or print it.

Adobe Lightroom can be called the fastest, capable of quickly completing a large number of tasks. Photoshop is more powerful, designed for thorough work. But not everyone needs its enormous potential.

Lightroom was created as a lighter analogue of Photoshop. In conditions where, after one shoot, a photographer needs to process hundreds, or even thousands of digital images, a photo editor was needed that had the main functions of Photoshop that could be quickly applied. And the program meets these goals.

The Photoshop editor is endowed with an incredible supply of tools, filters, and brushes that help you comprehensively adjust the image. Different types of processing can be done on several created layers. Each layer can be edited independently of the others. Professionals often make several dozen layers. And it takes a lot of time.

The working principle of Adobe Lightroom is linear. There are no layers, fewer tools, but less editing flexibility.

Both Adobe foreditors have a special “History” menu. It makes it possible to go back the required number of steps and change something in the edit. However, layers are much more effective in controlling the processing process.

Working with the layers found in Photoshop can seem very difficult. Especially when meeting an editor for the first time. But they provide incomparable flexibility in working with photographs. Lightroom loses in this.

For example, there is a desire to add darkening around the edges - . In Lightroom, this can be done with the click of one button – “Vignette”. Then, if necessary, you can adjust some parameters by moving the necessary sliders. It's very fast and convenient. This technique can be used not only for portraits, but also for other genres of photography.

In Adobe Photoshop, you will need to follow many steps to achieve the same effect. A beginner will have to at least study a video tutorial to understand these settings. But once you master the necessary skills, you can get a more interesting result than just pressing a button in the Lightroom photo editor.

So Lightroom wins in simplicity, and Photoshop wins in more possibilities.

This applies to most editing tools. Photoshop makes it possible to carry out any processing, but in a more time-consuming way. Lightroom allows you to work with the tools most popular among photographers in a faster way.

Adobe Lightroom clearly wins when it comes to workflow management capabilities. It is intended for photographers of varying degrees of training: amateurs and professionals. The photo editor makes it possible to complete all the necessary steps: from downloading pictures from the camera to editing them, distributing them online and printing them. In Lightroom you can set keywords and create virtual folders. This way, in the future, you can quickly find the photo you need. In addition, you can create photo books and even slide shows in the Adobe Lightroom photo editor. This ease of use is very attractive even for professionals. This is why many people prefer this program without touching Photoshop.

There is also a special library in Lightroom. It is designed to sort, organize and manage photos.

Photoshop does not have such capabilities. It does not allow you to upload photos to the Internet, organize them, register keys, or work with photo books and slide shows. However, it is much stronger in its editing capabilities. Despite the abundance of graphic photo editors, Photoshop remains unrivaled in this regard. Can be used in conjunction with Photoshop to organize workflows additional program– Adobe Bridge. It helps organize digital media on your computer and streamline many processes.

Some photographers use both Photoshop and Lightroom. Basic editing is done in Lightroom, and more thorough editing is done in Photoshop.

Photoshop and Lightroom are popular among photographers for a reason. Both programs provide ample opportunities for photo processing. The difference is that Lightroom is in many ways simpler and more convenient when organizing the workflow, while Photoshop is more powerful and flexible. Both photo editors have all the basic tools for post-processing images. In Lightroom they are easier to use, and in Photoshop there are more ways to process images in a jewelry way, bringing to life all the most unusual ideas.

With the exit latest versions Lightroom on the Internet (and at the same time in our heads) has created a fair amount of confusion. Fifth, sixth, subscription - phew! Which one to choose? What is the difference? Do I need to move from fifth to sixth? Let's figure out together what Adobe offers us today.

A little history

Both versions of LR (both 6.0 and SS) were released on April 21, 2015. Two versions of the product were presented to the public at once:

- boxed 6.0(purchased one time)
- subscription SS(a monthly or annual subscription is issued, which can be renewed / suspended)

As before, you can officially download the trial version from the Adobe website or sign up for a trial subscription without further obligations. You can use it for 30 days, the functionality is not limited. To do this, you need to register on the Adobe website and get an Adobe ID.

The first thing worth mentioning: they have changed system requirements. Now to work you will need 64 bit system(Win 7, 8, 8.1 or later), Mac OS 10.8+ ( Mountain Lion, Maverick, Yosemite). In addition, when migrating from version 5.x, an upgrade of the working directory is required. The update takes seconds, the directory size practically does not change.

It is important to understand that with the release of the sixth (6.x) and subscription (SS) versions of LR, the processing version has not changed. Everything is still based on the 2012 logic first implemented in LR 5.0.

LR: Boxed (6.x) vs Subscription (SS) version

The situation changed on June 15, 2015 with the release of the updated CC and LR 6.1, when it became clear that Adobe was promoting the CC product as the main one, limiting the functionality of the boxed version. Important innovations in CC that are not in 6.1: the addition of black and white points in gradients (which developers have been asking for for a couple of years) and the Dehaze function (a very strange implementation of decontrast / working with midtones and highlights in one global engine). And if the presence of the latter function is quite controversial, then the black and white dots in the gradient are simply a gift from heaven.

A scandal erupted on the forums, to which Adobe reasonably noted that no one promised complete identity between the versions. As a result, the products each went their own way (Adobe tried this mechanism back in Photoshop), when products received critical updates together, but the subscription model received functional updates first. There is an opinion that the sixth version of LR will be the last “individual desktop”. There will still be bug fixes, support for new cameras, lens profiling, but not new functionality. Everything will go into subscription.

LR CC. A cloud in pants

Question: What does working in the cloud mean in LR CC?
Answer: I want to reassure those who have developed an idiosyncrasy for the words “cloud” and “cloudy”. The current implementation of LR CC can hardly be called truly cloud-based. In the subscription model you get the following:

Automatic (or optional) receipt of updates and downloads through a single center
- the ability to synchronize with LR Mob on a phone or tablet (the cloud is used here as an intermediate link)
- you have 2 GB of space on the Adobe website, but this space is not intended for storing your LR files
- once again: in this cloud it is forbidden store your working LR files: directory, settings, sources!

Question: How does the system track subscriptions?
Answer: You receive confirmation every time you access the Internet.

Question: If I stop my subscription, will I lose my work?
Answer: No. When you terminate your subscription, you don't lose any of your files or your working directory. Everything remains as is and LR will still run. You will be able to import files, work with the catalog and even export files. It will only be impossible to work in Develop mode when processing files.

So is it necessary to upgrade to the new version?

The release of 6.x/SS is not a revolution, but rather an evolution. As I said, the processing process has not changed, but new version A lot of new and nice functionality has been added. Despite the benefits boxed version“I bought it and forgot it, no one will take it away”, I would rather stick with a subscription. It costs a penny, but it doesn’t give you a headache.

P.S. Yes, I also don’t like being forced to do something. But in this case, ease of use and excellent tools outweigh the irritation caused by Adobe's damn "professional" management.

We'll tell you how Lightroom differs from Photoshop and which program to choose for your tasks.

You need to understand that these are two programs created for completely different tasks. Adobe Photoshop was created and is developing as a graphics editor. Lightroom has become a niche tool for photographers who want a convenient tool for selecting, cataloging, and processing RAW photos.

Typically advanced and professional photographers they select and catalog the works in Ligthroom, do the initial processing there, and then export the photos. Processing of details, skin retouching and other procedures are done in Photoshop.

There are also a large number of photographers who use Lightroom exclusively in their work. After filming, they select and process the necessary frames. Lightroom's capabilities are enough to turn an ordinary photo into a rich picture.

Photoshop

This is a full-fledged graphics editor that has all the tools for image processing. To catalog and work with RAW, he uses the Bridge and Camera Raw add-ons, respectively.

You'll find many features in Photoshop that are missing in Lightroom. And the most important of them is working with layers, which is very important for any serious processing. In addition, you can do any retouching, replace individual elements of a photo and edit the model’s shape using, work with text and many other tools.

Another one strong point Photoshop - Supports plugins that extend Photoshop's capabilities or automate complex actions. And the number of plugins is incalculable.

On the other hand, Photoshop is not an intuitive program and will take some time to master.

When to use Photoshop

If you want to do artistic editing, seriously retouch portraits, create a collage, make an inscription, or remove wires from a photo, choose Photoshop.

Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is a very powerful cataloger and RAW converter. In it, you can easily catalog your photos and easily search for the one you need, even among hundreds of thousands of files.

For RAW processing, Lightroom has a separate module with many tools, including curves, working with colors and optical defects. To process a portrait, you can use cloning and healing brushes.

Processing a large series of photos in Lightroom is much faster than in Photoshop. It is enough to process one photo from a series, and then apply all the changes to the rest of the photos in a second.

In addition, you can install plugins in Lightroom. For example, Portraiture, which automatically removes imperfections on the skin. Although many criticize him for being too clumsy in his results. There are an order of magnitude fewer plugins for Lightroom than for Photoshop.

Another important advantage of Lightroom is its intuitive interface. You can even master it at random, although it is better and more efficient to do this with the help of ours.

When to use Lightroom

If you need to quickly process RAW photos, enhance light and color, feel free to use Lightroom.

One of the common questions I hear from people who are just starting out on their photography journey is “What program should I use to edit my photos?” There are many options, such as iPhoto, Picasa, GIMP, and other commercial programs like AfterShot Pro and Pixelmator, but the most popular are Photoshop and Lightroom.

This question is usually followed by another that seems quite logical, “What is the difference between Photoshop and Lightroom?” While both programs have many similarities and both are widely used in the photography community, each serves its own purpose, and in some very significant ways they are completely different. Understanding what makes them similar and what makes them different can help you make an informed choice of software for your purposes.

Similarities

At a deep level, both programs perform the same function - they edit photos. How they accomplish this task and how you use each program differs significantly. But if you're looking software, which simply allows you to make changes and improve your photos, then one will be enough. Both programs are capable of processing different types files such as: JPEG, PNG, TIFF and, a perennial favorite of many photographers, RAW. Essentially, both Photoshop and Lightroom use the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) processor to process RAW files. So you can expect similar controls and processing in both programs when you're doing things like adjusting saturation, working with curves, or adjusting distortion.

Both programs also have an extensive set of editing and manipulation tools, allowing you to do everything from basic editing like cropping and adjusting exposure to advanced processing like working with brushes, curves and filters. You'll find a variety of built-in effects in both programs that let you instantly turn your photo black and white, sepia toned, or apply other artistic effects. Both programs are quite powerful graphic editors. I know some photographers who use Lightroom exclusively and don't even touch Photoshop. At the same time, there are many others who work in Photoshop all day long and never open Lightroom. However, to understand which program is best for you, you also need to consider how they differ from each other.

Difference #1: File Processing

One of the main differences between Lightroom and Photoshop is that it doesn't actually edit photos or move them to different places on your computer. All changes you make are saved in a separate file called Catalog and is a kind of collection of instructions on how each photo should be processed. When you apply some kind of processing, such as a radial filter or brush, Lightroom essentially keeps a log of all changes in the database, while leaving the original file untouched. This technique is called non-destructive editing, which is very different from how Photoshop works.

For example, a few months ago I sent my dad a photo of him that I took and then edited in Lightroom.

Since the original file has not been modified, I can return to it at any time and process it as many times as I wish. Edits in Lightroom are a set of instructions on how to edit a file, much like a recipe is a set of instructions for making a cake or casserole. Once you've finished editing your image in Lightroom, you need to export it to a location where it can be printed, distributed, or published. Because the original image remains completely untouched in your computer and you can later return to Lightroom and process it again at your discretion. Another advantage of this approach is that the catalog is quite small, typically taking up only a few hundred megabytes on your hard drive, even if you have several thousand photos in Lightroom.

Lightroom: Processing instructions are stored in the Directory file and the source files are not modified.

Photoshop works completely differently. When you edit a JPG, PNG, or RAW photo in Photoshop, you are always working ON the original file, unless you save the copy as a PSD file, which will take up several tens of megabytes. This PSD file contains all the changes made to the photo, and in order to be able to distribute it, you need to save it in the final JPG, PNG, or other format. Essentially, if you want to do non-destructive editing in Photoshop, you will end up with three separate files: the original RAW file, PSD, and the final copy saved in a format other than PSD. The process looks like this:

Basic workflow diagram inPhotoshop: If you want to edit an image, you need to save it as a separate imagePSD file.

The two processes look similar on the surface, but with one important difference. In Lightroom, all your edits for each photo are stored in a single, relatively small catalog. In Photoshop, all your changes are saved as a separate file for each photo you process. This means it will take up a lot more space on your computer's hard drive if you work with a lot of files in Photoshop, and you'll end up with multiple versions of the same image. So why would you choose to work in Photoshop instead of Lightroom? In a word, power.

Difference #2: Editing Tools

Lightroom is like the all-terrain vehicle you might see on many farms. It's fast, nimble, and can handle a variety of tasks, such as hauling small items and towing trailers. But it simply can't compete with big trucks when it comes to serious jobs like hauling large bales of hay, hauling horse trailers, or trudging through mud and snow.

About ten years ago, Adobe realized that not everyone needed the power of Photoshop, especially for photographers who returned from their travels with hundreds of photos and needed fast processing. What this new generation of digital photographers needed was the essential editing tools of Photoshop in one easy-to-use package, which is Lightroom.

Photoshop contains a dizzying array of filters, brushes, and other tools that let you make all sorts of edits and changes to your photos. But Photoshop also gives you the ability to create layers on which you actually do the editing. For example, the image on the left shows the different layers I used when processing a photograph of a statue. And each layer can be edited independently of the other. This may seem excessive, but it is not at all uncommon. Photographers often create dozens of layers when processing photographs. Lightroom, on the other hand, works much more linearly without any layers, with fewer tools, but also less flexibility. Both programs have a History panel that lets you go back to any of your edits, but working with layers gives you much more control over exactly how you want to edit your image.

Photoshop uses layers that can be intimidating for beginners, but they offer incredible flexibility with whichLightroom It just doesn't compare.

Let's say you want to add vignetting to a portrait. In Lightroom, this is as simple as clicking the Vignette button and setting a few basic parameters, such as the amount, how large the untouched margin should be, and how smoothly the vignette should move away from the center. This is a fast and hassle-free solution that is very convenient to use for all types of photos. And if you need a little more control, then select the Radial Filter for several other settings.

Image after processing

Image before processing

To do this in Photoshop, you need to create a new adjustment layer on your image, such as Levels. You would then darken the high keys across the entire image and then apply a mask to leave the darkening only at the edges. You can also change the layer's opacity (lightening effect) or Blend Mode, or you could use the Dodge and Burn tools - and that's just the beginning. All these extra steps can seem hopelessly confusing. But as I study Photoshop tools you'll find that they give you a much greater level of control over the editing process.

INLightroomadd vignetting Can by pressing on one button. INPhotoshopThis much more difficult, But And gives to you more opportunities.

With all of its options and features (including support for text, 3D graphics and even video), Photoshop is ideal for almost all processing options. Lightroom essentially keeps up with Photoshop in the tools that photographers use most often, which is why it's so appealing to many behind-the-scenes hunters.

Difference #3: Workflow

Aside features and options. The trump card that Lightroom has over its older brother is the organization of workflow for photographers. Since it is designed specifically for the needs of amateur and professional photographers, it handles all the steps from importing photos from a memory card to organizing, editing, distributing and finally printing them. Lightroom has keyword and virtual folder support to help you quickly find images. And also you can use this program for create slideshows and photo books. Many photographers, even professionals, go weeks and months without even opening Photoshop because Lightroom gives them everything they need.

The Lightroom Library lets you quickly sort, organize, and manage all your photos.

On the other side of the scale is Photoshop, which doesn't upload files, doesn't organize them, and definitely can't create slideshows or photo books. But again, this is a compromise you are willing to make. No program comes even close to Photoshop in terms of editing capabilities. Either way, you can use Adobe Bridge to organize some of your workflows, like importing files and organizing digital media on your computer, which, when paired with Photoshop, offers a more comprehensive workflow solution. It's not as seamless as working in Lightroom, but it provides a decent level of automation compared to manually organizing your PSD, JPG, and other files.

Sometimes the best solution will take advantage of both programs. I usedLightroomto import the photo from the camera and made a few basic edits and then I usedPhotoshopto do more extensive processing.

Which one is right for you?

By now you may have realized that this is a question that only you can answer. And until recently, you weren't willing to spend $150 on Lightroom or much more on Photoshop. Luckily, Adobe has found a simpler solution with the release of Creative Cloud, and now you can get both programs for $10 a month. If you don't like subscribing to software, you can still buy Lightroom separately. Adobe has confirmed that they will continue to sell the standalone version with all future updates.

This article could be much longer and in many ways I've only scratched the surface, but I hope you get a general idea of ​​how the two programs are similar and different.

At the Photography Academy we are often asked to compare Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom and which is better to use. The truth is that these are completely different programs for different purposes. That's why we decided to introduce you short description programs in order to understand not the pros and cons, but the features of using each.

What is Photoshop?

Photoshop is a graphics editor.It was originally created by Adobe for simple digital photo editing. Then the functionality of the program was significantly expanded so that it could be used graphic designers, architects, publishers and photographers on a more professional level. The result is a powerful program that provides users with various creative tools. And in fact, Photoshop should be called a photo-graphic-design-animation-studio-salon....

Photoshop is a program that edits at the pixel level, meaning you can get closer to the little dots of color that make up your digital images.

What is Lightroom?

As a photo editor, Lightroom includes many of Photoshop's features that are tailored for the modern photographer. Lightroom covers most, if not all, of the image processing tools you need most. It is also an excellent software for managing your image editing processes. The Lightroom app lets you import, organize, manage, and find your images. All changes are automatically saved in the Lightroom catalog, which acts as a database and history of edits.

When is the best time to use Lightroom?

Lightroom is the first RAW converter with capabilities graphic editor. It's great for basic photo editing, including (but not limited to) cropping, white balance, exposure, tonal range adjustments, black and white conversions, blemish removal, red-eye correction, gradients, local corrections, sharpening, noise reduction, lens profile correction , juiciness and richness. If you are a beginner photographer, then you will most likely be pleased with these features.

Lightroom Workflow:

With Lightroom, you can create collections, add keywords, move files around on your hard drive, create slideshows, print books, and easily share your photos on Facebook.

You can copy or sync your photo edits across multiple images at once, use and create presets in Lightroom to apply general settings in your photos.

When to use Photoshop?

There are a few specific areas where Photoshop is ahead of Lightroom.

Advanced Retouching: If you want to control the level of pixels in a publication or you want to make a person slimmer, taller, or even change them beyond recognition J

Composites: If you want to crop out areas from multiple images to create one amazing look, Photoshop can help.

HDR: There are other HDR plugins available for Lightroom (Photomatix), but if you want to stitch images together and highlight highlights and shadows across multiple exposures, Photoshop does a better job.

Panoramas: in Photoshop you can stitch multiple photos together to create beautiful panoramas.

Advanced Healing: You can of course remove stains, stray hair, whiten teeth, etc. in Lightroom, but in Photoshop there will always be magic wands like the healing brush and patch tool.

So what should you choose: Photoshop or Lightroom?

There's really no right answer. You can, of course, use both Lightroom and Photoshop together because they integrate with each other quite well. If you're getting into photography, Lightroom is the place to start. Later you can start mixing the techniques of these two programs. Simply choose a tool based on your photographic needs and goals.