Photo pros: Do you find a benefit of Adobe Lightroom ?

Question

Trying to get input from photographers using PS and Bridge as well as Lightroom.

I have and know my way around the full production suit (in CS5 version). I download, sort and re-name using bridge. I adjust the camera RAW with PS, print smaller copies using self created templates. I've had a couple photo-friends recommend lightroom, but it just seems like a duplication of features found in the other applications, predominately in Bridge and PS. Am I missing a work-flow advantage in lightroom?

Just looking for a reason to bother with even going through the free trial.

Snorlax · Accepted Answer

The benefit of Lightroom is that is speeds up your workflow and reduces CPU usage.

Here's something you really need to check out, watch a few, trust me: http://photoshopuser.com/lightroom/

Lightroom is quicker, less cumbersome and much easier to go back and adjust files after they've been edited. Lightroom is basically Bridge and ACR all in one, but it's better...
If you're a heavy photoshop user then Lightroom isn't the best option for you as working between photoshop and Lightroom can be tricky, but if you only ever usually spend your time editing in ACR then Lightroom is something to consider. Takes a little while to get used to at first but it's worth it, especially with the RAW processing power of Lightroom 4.
As great as you may think Bridge is, I would honestly rate it as one of the worst Adobe products. You'll know why if you compare it to Lightroom's library module (many of these are discussed in the videos on the site I posted above).
I have an ACI qualification in PS CS5 but I would never use it/ACR to edit my RAW files, it takes too long, especially when I'm dealing with ~1500 photos from a single wedding.

If you shoot in bulk: Lightroom is for you
If you find your workflow is slow: Lightroom is for you
If you find using the two programs simultaneously taxing on your computer: Lightroom is for you
If you shoot JPEG... forget about it and stick to photoshop/bridge. It's a waste of time using a RAW editor to edit JPEG files.

If you're a Mac user (like myself) then I would also recommend Lightroom over Aperture; Aperture is terrible in comparison.

hamaker · Answer

Lightroom was once designed for photographers. "photo" applications like Paintshop, Photoshop and others incorporate quite a lot of tools designed for publish construction and pre-press authorities too, so can come to be bloated If I were simply commencing out with a snapshot software, i would purchase on this order based upon my budget. * Photoshop elements - around $eighty * Lightroom - round $200 * The pupil variant (yes taking a category for this reduction will put you each cash ahead and give you some pleasant abilities) of Photoshop CS4 elevated - $300 ( a $a thousand application)

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Photo pros: Do you find a benefit of Adobe Lightroom ?

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