Confused about purchasing Lightroom

I am very confused. Everything I see for sale says something like "Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5" - I thought Photoshop was a completely different program than Lightroom. I want the lastest version of LR- is this it?
Amazon.com: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5: Software

Thanks
Paul

lightroom 5 is the latest version, once you install It, just double check updates, as a new update has just come out,5.7.

Photoshop is a family of software, of which Lightroom is a member.

Each update is a full download just so you know. If the purchase is not the latest, the update to 5.7 will be another near 1 GB download.

Yes, that is it, but like others have mentioned, LR5 has already been updated--if you buy the box and install it then check for updates, you will download a huge file. If you are going to buy the box, consider buying it from B&H. It is $10 less as of right now.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Software for Mac and 65215211 B&H

I have never used Lightroom but do use Photoshop CS6. I know there are many people here who use Lightroom and some that use just use Photoshop like me. BUT there are a few who use both. I have never been able to see why one would need Lightroom when you have and use Photoshop.

Can someone tell me in simple terms why I would need both? Details. Not just it is better or easier or faster. Photoshop to me is easy and fast.

Don Kuykendall said:

Can someone tell me in simple terms why I would need both? Details. Not just it is better or easier or faster. Photoshop to me is easy and fast.

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If you know PS well there's probably no reason to buy LR. Besides the cataloging there's little it can do PS can't.

The reason I use it is because I have an old version of PS and am not interested in the ppm system to get the new one. If they still sold standalone versions, I'd be using PS.

But all in all LR isn't bad for photography since it is purely build around that concept. It has all the basics needed and allows even pixel-edit if you really want. Not as easy or handy as PS but it's possible. With some plugins even layers can be used these days.

I like it but part of that is out of necessity.

J-see said:

If you know PS well there's probably no reason to buy LR. Besides the cataloging there's little it can do PS can't.

The reason I use it is because I have an old version of PS and am not interested in the ppm system to get the new one. If they still sold standalone versions, I'd be using PS.

But all in all LR isn't bad for photography since it is purely build around that concept. It has all the basics needed and allows even pixel-edit if you really want. Not as easy or handy as PS but it's possible. With some plugins even layers can be used these days.

I like it but part of that is out of necessity.

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That is pretty much what I thought. I did download a trial version once and did give it a honest try and it was more confusing than helpful. I was just trying to make sure I was not missing something.

I was inspired to buy LR after viewing adox66's photo album on Flickr. He said he uses LR and PerfectPhoto. If I could ever take pictures as fantastic as his are, I would consider myself an accomplished photographer!! Thanks for the tip "hark"-I will order from B&H, It's where I purchased my 3300. Thanks guys for the info!! Paul

Don Kuykendall said:

I did download a trial version once and did give it a honest try and it was more confusing than helpful. I was just trying to make sure I was not missing something.

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Same here with photoshop, I just coud not get the hang of it. maybe my fault for trying to many things at once instead of learning the basics 1st

With lightroom I found it easy to use,

paul04 said:

Same here with photoshop, I just coud not get the hang of it. maybe my fault for trying to many things at once instead of learning the basics 1st

With lightroom I found it easy to use,

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Photoshop is something that you have to work to learn. It is not for the faint of heart. BUT, once you learn it is can do wonders

I started with Photoshop Elements which can do quite a bit then went to Lightroom. When Photoshop CC became available, I decided to go with it and haven't regretting it. Even Photoshop Elements can do some Camera RAW editing similar to some of the basic edits available in LR.

Don Kuykendall said:

Can someone tell me in simple terms why I would need both? Details. Not just it is better or easier or faster. Photoshop to me is easy and fast.

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in simplest terms.... The only cause for using lightroom is to speed up the post process of multiple photos faster. This is where LR shines, as you can create presets which you can immediately apply to those multiple images. I have not yet found something in PS that does that, as you are working with image by image.
So maybe the wedding photographer would spend time more efficiently in LR vs PS/Bridge. So while you can do most image PP the same way, finishing the image in LR is slightly different, however I do like the idea of quickly uploading direct to your favorite social media site, or direct to your portfolio/website.

Lightroom is a definite plus. For the price, either as a stand alone, or using CC, it is a bargain.