Editing Does everyone use a photo editor??

I can't imagine Lightroom to be better. I am not doing a lot in the RAW editor other than a quick correction because I'm not used to it and I am editing most of my photos into computer graphics images.
But I know the RAW editor can do a lot, a lot more than people think on average. Lightroom in my opinion is handy when it comes to sharing your stuff with your publisher or showing results to a customer. I personally like the feature where you can make your own list with all the photos from different directories so you only show the best out of those and you don't have to scroll in and out of every directory.

Though I'm no expert on LR, but that's what I'm thinking.
(why the heck do I need to be logged out every time I reply to a link from my e-mail)

 

@Stella, Hello, yes I can offer a comparison.

The first thing to remember is that the RAW editor is going to act differently than Lightroom. They are owned by the same company, there is no way Adobe would undercut themselves with Photoshop's Raw Editor.

@MadamMauMau actually mostly nailed the umbrella what "advantage" LR might have over RAW Editor. I'll just try to add a bit more perspective on why you might consider using one over the other (or to use both).

LR is specifically made with a professional photographer in mind. By professional, I mean you are being PAID to shoot rather than doing it free (personal or otherwise) and has nothing to imply about photography skills. When you are photographing moving objects and events, especially when hired to do so, you don't have the luxury of your photo subjects waiting for you to get the perfect shot... still life, however, will most certainly be there as is no matter when you return (as long as not moved by external forces). Even though dolls don't move like nonstill life, however, you'd probably be a heck of a lot more shutter happy with your camera-- if for no other reason than you definitely do not want to go back do it all over again if the photos aren't what was expected! What a pain.

LR's organization and interface is far superior to Photoshop when viewing file batches (it'll also be kinder to your computer because that's what it's made for). It can also be used to make basic "consistent" edits to a collection of photos without have to do each individual file.

On the flip side, having only two or three of the intended same shot and maybe 30 pictures total definitely isn't really something LR is going to offer you advantage in, in my opinion. It might even be a waste of your time, depending on the situation. LR shines not just with a ridiculous amount of photos, but excess quantity of the same or similar shot to more easily pick the best of them. I would arguably use RAW in a situation like that, even.

Another disadvantage is LR is more "complicated" to learn. It's not better than RAW, just the interface is different which affects the learning curve and has extra options that aren't in LR (but also not required for RAW Editor to have to do what it's meant for).

So, LR is great and I will forever swear by it but it's by no means a necessity in order to not only produce great post-processed doll photos but fantastic ones, as well. If RAW Editor is your preference and it does everything you desire, there's no reason to switch because RAW is a better choice for you. Your results won't necessarily or somehow be better just because LR is its own program.

tl;dr opinion: Between Photoshop's RAW Editor and Lightroom, one isn't better than the other. They are used for different situations where one is "better suited" for it but overall it's not really comparable.

I hope it helps anyone else who hasn't used both programs. I'm sure there are other examples and things more nitpicky/specific that could really be gone into detail to pick apart one vs the other, but... I don't have mastery of either, so I am not qualified to dive into that.

 

Nice info, thanks. That reminds me when I'm shooting RAW my 2GB is too small for that lol. *sigh* my dolls eat up all the money

 

No problem, glad I could help a little!

And Ah yes. is your dslr compact flash ?

 

Another thing to add for anyone considering Photoshop versus Lightroom is that it is now no longer possible to buy them separately. They are now only available on a subscription only basis as part of a thing called Creative Cloud. There is a full version with all sorts of bits and bobs included or a Photography version, with is pretty much only PS and LR. The advantage is that you will always have the most up-to-date version of the software. The disadvantage is that it is not cheap for a hobbyist photographer (£8.57/$9.99 pcm. Why is it cheaper in the US? no idea). Also, if you stop paying your subscription, you stop having access to the software. Unless you are the sort of person who needs to always have the latest version of everything, I would rather track down a secondhand copy of an older version on Amazon.

 

Yeah the flawed design of not having 2 slots for cards. I just have too many hobbies and so little cash so it'll have to wait. If I run out of memory in a session of shooting RAWs only it means a bit that I have to end the session and sort, edit them. I just use the RAW editor for a little correction and continue into the normal 8bit RGB
Tiriaq Photography

 

I use Photoshop and/or Lightroom depending on the day. I like them both for different reasons, and can see LR being a bit simpler for people to use. However, for more in depth editing PS is much better...
Sometimes I use online photo editors if I'm lazy though

 

in my opinion, its not about the camera. I think any photo can look good without anything! I personally use a filter and that's it xD

the res is low but he still looks cute to me!

 

I'm one of those... minimalist editing type people. I try to expose and crop in camera, but I used Google's Picasa photo editing software. It's free and very simple. I only ever have to lightly crop or adjust levels like shadows and color balance.

 

Returning to the argument of which software to use, and the painful cost of a CC subscription, I have recently become aware of a package called Affinity. It is a £49/$63 one off payment (and they have just had an offer, so might be worth looking out for those for the future). It has got ace reviews. It is allegedly quite similar to Photoshop, so you have a headstart if you already know how to use that, or gain a headstart if you later make the switch to Photoshop. So, it looks to be a pretty good product at the right time.

Affinity Photo - Professional image editing software

 

There are a few alternatives to Photoshop available.
The thing is that Photoshop is the standard.
If you're looking for a "how to do......" you'll find
any number of tutorials on how to do it in Photoshop.
Other editors may in fact provide similar capabilities
but nothing like the same community of users.

Personally I use LR for event work and Photoshop
for personal work.

 

This is true, but the more people who start to use a cheaper alternative, the more resources there will be. Affinity has only recently launched and has already kicked up a storm, so I am seeing it as a great alternative to anyone who doesn't want or need the huge financial commitment to LR and PS. By turning to a subscription-only model. Adobe have sealed the fate of Photoshop and opened the door to someone offering a more financially appealing alternative. From the reviews I have read, Affinity might be just that. Time will tell.

And, to add, Serif are taking this very seriously and have published a set of over 200 free video tutorials. That's what I like to see!

 

Personally I have used Photoshop at jobs where it is the high end tool. But at home I use free open source software GIMP.

Using online tutorials and depending on the depth you wish to take each part of your passion determines the tools you wish to persue and use.

I am able to get what I need from the free program for product and doll photos that I would get through photo shop, so I've never needed to upgrade. Until I feel the urge or require something uber professional (I have no idea what that would be) I'm good where I am for now.

Use the best tools you can afford at the time. And there are free tutorials for nearly everything. You determine the success and passion level.