Lightroom Vs Photoshop (Which is Better for You?) – Similarities and Differences Between Photoshop and Lightroom

Want to compare Lightroom vs Photoshop to see which is the best photo editing software for you? Every seasoned photographer edits their photos before delivering them to their clients. Choosing the right photo editing software will save you time and help you get the most polished results from your program.

In general, Lightroom helps photographers complete quick edits. Photoshop, on the other hand, is a go-to for more advanced image editing. Still, both of these programs have a ton of features and unique capabilities that you can use in a multitude of applications.

But how do you know when to use Lightroom vs Photoshop? Of course, at the most basic level, Photoshop and Lightroom share the same general purpose. You can think of Lightroom as an all-in-one photo program. So, how does it work? Lightroom allows you to import photos either from your computer, or directly from a memory card.

If you want to turn your photos into a photo book or slideshow, Lightroom can help you, too. Instead, Photoshop focuses on being the best photo editor it can be, with the most innovative photo editing tools.

Of course, you could also pair Photoshop with Adobe Bridge — another Adobe photo product — to access some of those organizational and sharing options. But, it takes two programs to do it if you choose this route over Lightroom. And, because Photoshop is a layer-based photo editor, you can accumulate and build up your edits over time by using multiple layers.

For smaller changes, many prefer Lightroom. Adobe Lightroom operates in a more linear fashion, without layers and complex tools. In fact, Adobe pre-programmed Lightroom with many of the most popular photo editing effects so that all you have to do to apply them is click a button. While powerful, Photoshop can quickly become complicated, especially for beginners.

Photoshop and Lightroom differ in how they treat your image files during and after editing. Photoshop, on the other hand, is a destructive editor. As you may guess, destructive editors apply edits directly to the original image files. What does that mean for your editing workflow? Lightroom saves any edits you make to that image as a separate file, or Catalogue. You can think of the Catalogue as a list of instructions on how to process an image file.

Lightroom saves that exposure adjustment in a Catalogue for that image file, which preserves the edit without altering the file itself. And, because Lightroom never changed the original file, you can always go back and restart your edits from the beginning.

If you were to make that same exposure adjustment to your image in Photoshop, the program would save the adjustment to the image file itself. Essentially, Photoshop overwrites image data, which permanently alters the original image file. The only way to make Photoshop work as a non-destructive photo editor is to save three versions of your project in three different types: your original file, a large Photoshop PSD file from which you can work and an exported photo with your final edits.

Both Lightroom and Photoshop are great photo editors, but they both also have their downfalls. Here are the pros and cons of Lightroom and the pros and cons of Photoshop so that you can make an informed decision about which is right for you:.

Lightroom offers a simple, easy, and effective set of tools to edit your photos. Lightroom also offers loads of free and premium presets that make it stand out as an editing software. These presets help you to dramatically change the look and feel of your photos with just one click. They come in all sorts of looks and styles, ranging from vintage to beachy to film. And, you can even download extra free presets packs online from popular photographers and photo editors.

This addon makes it ridiculously simple to create and synchronize your Adobe Lightroom images with WordPress image galleries. Lightroom is built for photographers to edit their photos quickly and simply, but it does have some drawbacks. Consider these cons of Lightroom, too:. Photoshop comes with an amazing and advanced set of editing tools. With Photoshop, your photo edits are limited only by your imagination.

You can achieve a blurry background , sharpen your images , add special effects and much more! In addition to editing photos, Photoshop allows you to create raster or vector images from scratch. This opens a world of possibilities to turn your photos into graphic design projects like flyers, posters and even business cards. Layers also allow you to modify specific portions of your image without adjusting the whole picture entirely. These localized edits can really save your photo from selective over- or underexposure, as well as a host of other issues.

With the help of multiple free and premium Photoshop actions , you can easily edit your photos in just a few clicks. Photoshop is great for advanced edits, but it is not as easy to use as Lightroom.

For comprehensive editing, you may need to check out some free online Photoshop tutorials. As a photographer, you can use both image editing tools in your workflow. We recommend using Lightroom for basic, quick edits. Photoshop should be used for more advanced image editing and for creating vector images.

Do you need an image storing and organizing software, in addition to an editing program? Do you often work your edited photography into larger projects like digital and print advertisements? How ambitious are your photo editing goals? Remember what professional photographers love about Lightroom, and what users find indispensable about Photoshop.

Keeping the costs and benefits of each program in mind, as well as your own practical needs, will point you in the direction of the right software for you. We hope this article has helped you find the best photo-editing solution between Lightroom vs Photoshop.

If you like this article, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more free photography resources including tutorials, guides and more. Sign up for our email newsletter so you never miss another article! Envira Gallery helps photographers create beautiful photo and video galleries in just a few clicks so that they can showcase and sell their work. We’re glad you have chosen to leave a comment.

Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our privacy policy , and all links are nofollow. Do NOT use keywords in the name field. Let’s have a personal and meaningful conversation. Your Comment. Your Real Name. Your Email Address. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Digital Photography Tips, Tutorials and Resources. Using WordPress and want to get Envira Gallery free?

Try Envira Gallery free! Related Posts. Lightroom vs. Add a Comment Cancel reply We’re glad you have chosen to leave a comment.

Adobe photoshop lightroom vs adobe photoshop cc free download

 
Perhaps the largest difference between Photoshop and Photoshop Express is where you can use the software. If you work with Adobe Lightroom. When to use Photoshop. Whereas Lightroom is focused on organizing and processing photos, Photoshop ventures into image manipulation, creation, and enhancement. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, free and safe download. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom latest version: A powerful tool designed for photographers.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC – Download for PC Free

Choose exposure, timer, instant presets, raw and more. Enjoy more control over your photography with camera capture modes like Professional and HDR. Use handy organizational tools like ratings and flags to mark and group your favorite photos and see suggestions for the best ones. Share your work with users in the Discover section so they can see your creative process. Lightroom galleries showcase your photos online.

Photo edits sync seamlessly so your changes are always up-to-date. Get inspiration from other creatives in the Lightroom Community and see personalized content with cool presets in your feed.

Follow your favorite photo editors, discover presets and get inspiration for your camera work. Retouch full-resolution shots and have originals and edits backed up to the cloud, ready to access anywhere. Searchable keywords are automatically applied to sort photos without tagging. Reviews Review policy and info. View details. Flag as inappropriate. Visit website. The trial period lasts for 30 days. Runs on Windows 7 and above. Requires DirectX The download launches directly the installation of the application by means of the installer of Creative Cloud Connection but also allows us to access the rest of Adobe’s services.

Antony Peel. Software languages. Author Adobe. We recommend using Lightroom for basic, quick edits. Photoshop should be used for more advanced image editing and for creating vector images. Do you need an image storing and organizing software, in addition to an editing program?

Do you often work your edited photography into larger projects like digital and print advertisements? How ambitious are your photo editing goals?

Remember what professional photographers love about Lightroom, and what users find indispensable about Photoshop. Keeping the costs and benefits of each program in mind, as well as your own practical needs, will point you in the direction of the right software for you. We hope this article has helped you find the best photo-editing solution between Lightroom vs Photoshop. If you like this article, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more free photography resources including tutorials, guides and more.

Sign up for our email newsletter so you never miss another article! Envira Gallery helps photographers create beautiful photo and video galleries in just a few clicks so that they can showcase and sell their work. We’re glad you have chosen to leave a comment.

Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our privacy policy , and all links are nofollow. Do NOT use keywords in the name field. Let’s have a personal and meaningful conversation.

Your Comment. Your Real Name. Your Email Address. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Digital Photography Tips, Tutorials and Resources. Using WordPress and want to get Envira Gallery free? Try Envira Gallery free! Related Posts.

Lightroom vs. Add a Comment Cancel reply We’re glad you have chosen to leave a comment.