But the workspace and the user experience are very different. You can make basic photo editing adjustments in both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Verdict: Lightroom is best for importing and organizing images. This program allows raw files to be opened in Photoshop. To address this problem, Adobe provides a tool called Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). Photoshop has another limitation when importing images from my camera. Screenshot of the import window in Bridge.Įven photographers who like Photoshop for editing use Lightroom’s cataloging system. But the editing tool is limited compared with Lightroom. This program includes Lightroom’s cataloging, import, and export features. Adobe Bridge is a separate program in the Creative Cloud suite to bridge the gap.

Shows tools such as keywording and organizing in the righthand column. I can move and organize the photos to make them easier to find later. I can even apply my favorite image adjustments automatically. I can import all the images from my SD card, keyword them, and rate the quality. Lightroom includes a cataloging system designed to import and organize photos. At this very start, we hit a significant difference between the programs.Īdobe Photoshop is designed to edit one image at a time. The first thing I do is get my photos off my camera and ready to edit on my computer. I’ll show you why I choose to use the best of both programs. I’ll walk you through my basic photo editing workflow. To access Photoshop and Lightroom, you sign up for a photography subscription. They stopped releasing the programs individually.

In 2013, Adobe changed to a subscription model. But Lightroom isn’t a “baby Photoshop.” The programs have developed side-by-side-each with its own strengths. Many people think that Photoshop is a more powerful big brother to Lightroom. But Adobe redesigned the user interface to make common photographic adjustments easier. It features the editing tools that photographers need. In many ways, it’s a simpler version of Photoshop. In 2007, Adobe released Lightroom (LR) with photographers in mind. When digital photography became popular, PS became the way to edit photos. Some Background to Lightroom vs PhotoshopĪdobe released Photoshop (PS) as a graphics editor in 1990.

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