Any NEED to get Lightroom?

[ryans1230]

I picked up CS3 a while back and it has all the stuff I need: Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Bridge, Flash. Do I need Lightroom or will Camera Raw (in combination with PS) be okay?

(I realize that CS3 does not support the D7100 NEF files so I also have Adobe's DNG converter)

 

[Don Kuykendall_RIP]

I picked up CS3 a while back and it has all the stuff I need: Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Bridge, Flash. Do I need Lightroom or will Camera Raw (in combination with PS) be okay?

(I realize that CS3 does not support the D7100 NEF files so I also have Adobe's DNG converter)

CS3 is a very old version and does not have all the functionality of the newer versions.

Lightroom is really a good program to use everyday because of its cataloging features. Also it is really better to use than Adobe Camera Raw for basic editing. Your best bet by far it to go with Adobe CC and the photographer plan. It will give you the latest Photoshop and Lightroom and will keep you updated.

 

[wtlwdwgn]

I would say if you are happy with your results from CS3 that you wouldn't need LR. The only advantage to LR would be in cataloging your images. LR doesn't have some of the features of CS but for my photography it has everything I need without the non-photography related features. I convert my NEF files to DNG during the import process. Just my $0.02.

 

[skene]

Like stated above, if you need to catalog your images... then Lightroom would be the better bet. IMHO, if you do a lot of weddings/portraits etc then Lightroom is the better program. For all other CS/CC is the better bet. However you may want to try and get at least CS6 as it would have slightly more add ons and enhancements.

 

[SkvLTD]

Basically depends on how quick you like your workflow to be (or need it to be). Nikon's own Capture NX-D can do just about everything, but workflow in that thing is much slower, or I simply never fiddled with it enough, but it is free.

 

[aroy]

Basically depends on how quick you like your workflow to be (or need it to be). Nikon's own Capture NX-D can do just about everything, but workflow in that thing is much slower, or I simply never fiddled with it enough, but it is free.

I use Nikon NX-D only and it has all that I need. Why dont you download it and give it a try. You can always do your RAW processing in NX-D and then export the results as TIFF16 for further procesing.

 

[SkvLTD]

I use Nikon NX-D only and it has all that I need. Why dont you download it and give it a try. You can always do your RAW processing in NX-D and then export the results as TIFF16 for further procesing.

I have it, but honestly I do need that speed of batch processing and I have CS6.

 

[aroy]

I have it, but honestly I do need that speed of batch processing and I have CS6.

I do batch processing by simply selecting all the relevant images and then applying the steps. For my initial steps - Vivid, no NR, WB etc I have the parameters in "default.nxd" file. select the image, load the parameters from default.nxd and you have batch processed the files.

I have different parameter files one for each unique situation, which I apply when starting editing :
- Red - for images from old photographs
- NR for low light images
- Default = no NR + Vivid for normal day light images
- Vivid + NR + high contrast for macro with AIS lenses
- No NR + Shadow recovery for high contrast images take on bright summer day

Withing NX-D the batch processing is extremely fast. 200 images take at the most 5 seconds. I take any where between 200 and 500 images when shooting at friend's and relatives parties.

 

[SkvLTD]

I do batch processing by simply selecting all the relevant images and then applying the steps. For my initial steps - Vivid, no NR, WB etc I have the parameters in "default.nxd" file. select the image, load the parameters from default.nxd and you have batch processed the files.

I have different parameter files one for each unique situation, which I apply when starting editing :
- Red - for images from old photographs
- NR for low light images
- Default = no NR + Vivid for normal day light images
- Vivid + NR + high contrast for macro with AIS lenses
- No NR + Shadow recovery for high contrast images take on bright summer day

Withing NX-D the batch processing is extremely fast. 200 images take at the most 5 seconds. I take any where between 200 and 500 images when shooting at friend's and relatives parties.

I make a rough overall pre-set, then label keeps, sort by label, and have shop resize/watermark/jpeg everything and kill the time while it does so.

 

[Don Kuykendall_RIP]

There are certain things that you need to do on every single photo. A local friend of mine who is a pro gave me his formula for import.

Sharpening:
Amount: 75
Radius: .09
Detail: 40
Masking: 40

Clarity: +10
Vibrance" +10


Lens Correction
Enable Profile Correction


Camera Calibration
Profile: Camera Standard (Default is Adobe Standard)


I set this up as a Import Preset so that when I import my photos these corrections automatically are applied. This give me a head start on my post processing. What I have found since I have been doing this is that many times I really do not need to do anything else. Depending on your camera and style there may be other things you need to do on every photo. All this does not mean this is where you should leave a particular photo but it is a good starting point.