Adobe Photoshop Lightroom: One of the best photo editing tools
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a post-processing software that is included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. It can also be installed independently from Adobe CC to your Mac OS or Windows PC. Adobe Lightroom is essential for editing RAW image files. Otherwise known as digital negative files, Lightroom is able to convert RAW images into a simple graphical image such as JPG, JPEG, or PNG. The converted file includes the enhancements made in the image such as increased contrast, balanced exposure, changed tint, etc. You can save the combination of enhancements as a Lightroom Preset so you can build a uniform portfolio of images. It is a vital tool in the photography and graphic industries.
Beginners tend to be confused about the difference between Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Lightroom is a non-negotiable step in the image management process as it offers the complete set of tools for photo retouching. This includes white balance, histogram adjustment, tonal curves, blemish removal, red-eye corrections, etc. Photoshop is needed for advanced editing or retouching tasks.
Editing tools
Lightroom’s edit controls are displayed in panels that expand and collapse, revealing controls for Profile, Light, Color, Effects, Details, Optics, and Geometry. Most of the controls are sliders. They allow you to change the image’s overall appearance by clicking and dragging the slider to the left or right. You can also click the +/- value to the right of the slider, enabling you to move the slider through the up and down arrow key. Once you’re done, you can compare the final product with the original image by clicking the Show Original icon in the toolbar.
Presets are similar to filters featured on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The difference is that Presets are created from scratch, enabling you to apply a unique filter to all your images. You can save them by selecting the three dots at the top of the Presets panel. When saving Presets, it's best to have the file name reflect its style or mood.
Photoshop integration
Both Lightroom and Photoshop can open each other’s files. This is necessary for combining Lightroom-edited photos to other images or graphics as well as removing unwanted elements. Once you’ve saved your work in Photoshop, the latest image will appear in Lightroom along with the original version.
Opening Lightroom-synced photos can be done while editing. Windows users can press Control+F to access the Lightroom Photos tab. Once you’ve made the necessary edits, save the file to your local drive. Photoshop will not automatically upload it to Lightroom so you must select Photoshop’s Quick Share feature to upload the new asset to Lightroom.
Are Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom the same?
When it comes to editing your photos, choosing between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom is crucial. Unlike Photoshop, which is versatile and caters to various creative needs, Lightroom is specifically designed for photographers. It helps streamline everything from managing your photos to putting the finishing touches on them.
Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Classic: Great for people who use desktop computers, especially if your photos are stored on external or computer hard drives.
- Lightroom: Works with cloud technology, making it easy to switch between devices. Whether you're at home or a coffee shop, your workspace is always with you.
Photography vs. Image Editing
Lightroom focuses on organizing and processing photos, ensuring a smooth workflow. On the other hand, Photoshop goes beyond, dealing with image manipulation, creation, and enhancement. Lightroom is for those who want an efficient photo editing experience, while Photoshop is the go-to for detailed work like retouching and fine art.
Is Lightroom Photoshop free?
As powerful as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is for Windows 10 users, it comes with a price. The full version requires a subscription, and there are additional tools that may cost extra. Even with free alternatives out there, Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard for photo editing.
Subscription Options
Adobe has different subscription plans for Photoshop, catering to different needs. From a basic plan to the comprehensive All Apps plan, which includes the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite, you can choose the one that fits your requirements.
Try Before You Buy
Wondering if Photoshop Lightroom is right for you? Adobe understands that, and they offer a free 7-day trial. It's a chance for you to explore the software and its features before deciding whether to commit to a subscription. It's a risk-free way to make sure the software aligns with your creative vision.
System Requirements
Just like any other software in the market, Adobe Photoshop Ligthroom also has minimum and recommended system requirements. You can find both of them below:
Minimum:
- CPU: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit and SSE 4.2 support; 2 GHz or faster processor
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit) version 22H2 or later
- RAM: 8 GB
- Hard Disk Space: 10 GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space is required during installation and sync
- Monitor Resolution: 1280 x 768 display
- GPU: GPU with DirectX 12 support, 2 GB of RAM
- Internet: Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services
Recommended:
- CPU: Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit and SSE 4.2 support; 2 GHz or faster processor
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit) version 22H2 or later
- RAM: 16 GB
- Hard Disk Space: 10 GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space is required during installation and sync
- Monitor Resolution: 1280 x 768 display
- GPU: GPU with DirectX 12 support, 4 GB of VRAM for 4K or greater displays, 8 GB of VRAM to enable GPU supported preview generation and export
- Internet: Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services
Essential tool for photo editors
Editors that work with RAW images must have Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. It has the complete set of tools you need to enhance photos as well as give a set of images a uniform appearance. In addition, its ability to launch and sync with Adobe Photoshop allows all users to create an efficient editing workflow.
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