Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

                        A Review by Bonnie Bruno

I've been using Photoshop for years, and was perfectly satisfied with Creative Suite 2 (CS2).  Then along came Lightroom to change the way I process my photos.  The majority of my work involves macrophotography. Each photo must stand up to the competition, and that means flawless results. Lightroom helps me achieve that in a timely manner.  No missed deadlines, and no ho-hum images!

I appreciate the ability to import large numbers of images at one time, a time saver for anyone whose work involves photo processing and management. Lightroom offers numerous organizational choices, as well--from searching by the date a group of photos was taken, to importing photos taken with a specific camera. It's easy to sort photos into groups, according to the needs of a project. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom doesn't assume one workflow fits everyone's needs. If I want to take my photo-organizing structure a step further, it lets me request images only from a specific lens, such as those taken with my EF-100mm macro lens.

In the View mode (see image above), I can choose an option that works best for me. I often use the slideshow (filmstrip) feature, which has a row of images below the main Lightroom window. It's easy to scan images quickly, and select one for single viewing in the center display area. If I'm working on a tight deadline, Lightroom saves me retrieval time by letting me flag photos that fit the exact requirements for a particular project. Simple keystrokes let me rate photos or attach a flag or color coding for easier access later--another customizable feature that sets this intuitive program apart.

Lightroom works in several modules, offering exceptional workflow tools to ensure that my images are the best they can become.  I like to think of the Develop module as a digital darkroom. Before Lightroom, I'd usually toss out dozens of images per photo shoot. Now I don't have the heart to delete any image until I've first run it through Develop, because oftentimes, Lightroom will rescue an image that appears to be unsalvagable. When working in RAW format, it does an exeptional job of adjusting exposure, highlighting features I hadn't noticed in the original.

Lightroom automatically saves my edited version; that way, the original file remains unchanged, much the way  iPhoto allows users to store the original photo permanently. Once I apply a change, it offers a before-after preview, but that's not all! If I click an editing feature, it offers tips for further improving the photo. Of course, I can take or leave the suggested changes. It supports 150+ camera RAW formats, including Adobe DNG (Digital NeGative), as well as JPEG and TIFF formats.

The Library module is amazing! It lets me browse large groups of photos, then choose only the one(s) I want to organize. When it's time to print,  Lightroom calls on intelligent tools that ensure a perfect match to my page layout. I can print a contact sheet, using several images on one page if I wish. Lightroom's slider tool helps me create even rows and columns. I simply insert my photos, then preview how well the images fit. 

Designed for the professional photographer, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is also a helpful program for web designers, graphic artists, architects, landscape designers, and anyone else whose work demands excellence.  It's both practical and logical - a real bargain for under $300.

Buy  Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (Windows XP, Mac OS X, Mac OS X Intel)

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