How did you learn Lightroom?

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Archive 2009 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Devin Hillam
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p.1 #1 · How did you learn Lightroom?

I've recently picked up Lightroom 2 and am trying to make the transition from PS CS3 to Lightroom.

Wowzers! Talk about being completely different! What books or online tutorials do you use or have used to help you learn the program and integrate it into your wedding workflow? I need help learning to LR basics

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:35 PM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #2 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Just plunge in, IMO. It's all very intuitive - the Adobe online help is good, but I've found if you take a batch of images and site down with it, 4 hours later you'll be well accustomed to the way it functions.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:38 PM

Tony Hoffer
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p.1 #3 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Don't waste your money on books. It's mostly just using sliders and synching things... try lightroomkillertips.com

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:39 PM

Scott Clark
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p.1 #4 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Just jump in and try and break the thing

. If you're totally lost, lynda.com has some great video tutorials on most popular programs...I know they had one on LR1, don't know about LR2.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:42 PM

ARDENT
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p.1 #5 · How did you learn Lightroom?

I have been using kelbytraining.com its only 19.99 a month and very easy to follow!

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:45 PM

LERtastic
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p.1 #6 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Just jump in and start testing sliders. Everything in non-destructive, so you can always go back. I will watch the occasional video tutorial, but find that I prefer to discover things on my own.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:49 PM

jcolman
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p.1 #7 · How did you learn Lightroom?

I bought a book that was easy to read and makes for a great reference if I need to look up something.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:49 PM

Miker Reid
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p.1 #8 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Scott Kelby has a book. It is great told me everything I needed, very clear and easy to understand.
If you want to learn fast and be able to look up the stuff you need immediately buy the book.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:50 PM

unblinkable
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p.1 #9 · How did you learn Lightroom?

We just started using it... that's all.

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:55 PM

Devin Hillam
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p.1 #10 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Thanks everyone! Got some heavy hitters posting

Here's another question: Do you sharpen in LR or in PS? I've seen people go back and forth on the pros and cons of each and am wondering what you do

Thanks!

Mar 31, 2009 at 05:58 PM

Sam Obeid
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p.1 #11 · How did you learn Lightroom?

As other have said jump right in, LR is a god send and you’ll soon appreciate it.

This is my LR workflow:

1. Make sure you have good file Organization, it’s key! I keep mine setup as such: Photos\2009\20090331 – Jack & Jill Wedding
2. Copy all of your RAW files to the new folder
3. Copy new folder to backup system/s confirm and reformat cards
4. Import folder into LR with your base Tags, (I have my name, URL, and copyright notice added to every image) render Auto Tone & Preview at 1:1
5. Sort by time and go through set marking rejects using the X key
6. Hide the rejects using the filter tool
7. Select all non rejects and do a global rename with the F2 key, my files are renamed 20090331–00001 etc
8. Add high level key words, couples name, venue/s etc
9. Start batch editing, pick a photo in a set and tweak to heart’s desire and sync to matching photos
10. Go through set and mark your picks with the P key
11. Filter Picks and tweak more.
- Done
Once you get used to LR there will be more to do that will speed up your workflow such as;

- Keyword groups
- Adjusting Camera Import Defaults, save a lot of time on editing
- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

Edited on Mar 31, 2009 at 06:39 PM · View previous versions

Mar 31, 2009 at 06:24 PM

RL15
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p.1 #12 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Sam Obeid wrote:
As other have said jump right in, LR is a god send and you’ll soon appreciate it.

This is my LR workflow:

1. Make sure you have good file Organization, it’s key! I keep mine setup as such: Photos\2009\20090331 – Jack & Jill Wedding
2. Copy all of your RAW files to the new folder
3. Copy new folder to backup system/s confirm and reformat cards
4. Import folder into LR with your base Tags, (I have my name, URL, and copyright notice added to every image) render Auto Tone & Preview at 1:1
5. Sort by time and go through set marking rejects using the X key
6. Hide the rejects using the filter tool
7. Select all non rejects and do a global rename with the F2 key, my files are renamed 20090331–00001 etc
8. Add high level key words, couples name, venue/s etc
9. Start batch editing, pick a photo in a set and tweak to heart’s desire and sync to matching photos
10. Go through set and mark your picks with the P key
11. Filter Picks and tweak more.
- Done
Once you get used to LR there will be more to do that will speed up your workflow such as;

- Keyword groups
- Adjusting Camera Import Defaults, save a lot of time on editing
- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

I remember you talkin about how much you loved LR at Jacks
I still don't know how to use it completely but getting there slowly but surely.
I always learn by doing... so JUST DO IT!

Mar 31, 2009 at 06:37 PM

spink
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p.1 #13 · How did you learn Lightroom?

jeremy_clay wrote:
Just plunge in, IMO. It's all very intuitive - the Adobe online help is good, but I've found if you take a batch of images and site down with it, 4 hours later you'll be well accustomed to the way it functions.

This worked for me.

Mar 31, 2009 at 06:50 PM

Sam Hassas
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p.1 #14 · How did you learn Lightroom?

2 things. Trial and.....ummm what was the other one?....oh Error.

Mar 31, 2009 at 06:51 PM

Saad Syed
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p.1 #15 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Basic common sense and practice here.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:17 PM

jcolman
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p.1 #16 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Sam Obeid wrote:

- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

Sam,

I'd love to know what your different export settings for print and bludomain are. I can never get my pics to look as good as I'd like on my blu website.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:23 PM

Lance Lee
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p.1 #17 · How did you learn Lightroom?

1. Read online tutorials.
2. Play around.
3. Read some more tutorials.
4. Play some more.

and just keep at it. You should give yourself several months of messing with it every day before you decide if is is going to work for you. I've seen several friends try it for a week and give up, without really giving it a chance.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:27 PM

Sam Obeid
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p.1 #18 · How did you learn Lightroom?

jcolman wrote:
Sam Obeid wrote:

- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

Sam,

I'd love to know what your different export settings for print and bludomain are. I can never get my pics to look as good as I'd like on my blu website.

Won't claim my settings are righ tbut they do save me time.

Blu will tell you the proper dimensions for your given template so start there and don't be insulted by the obvious settings

Format:JPEG
Color Space: sRGB
Quality: 80% though try may try 70-65 to get the files smaller.
Res: 72PPI
Qutput Sharpen: Screen/Standard

This is for the most part what I use for all "web" images with the dimensions being the variable.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:39 PM

jcolman
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p.1 #19 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Sam Obeid wrote:
jcolman wrote:
Sam Obeid wrote:

- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

Sam,

I'd love to know what your different export settings for print and bludomain are. I can never get my pics to look as good as I'd like on my blu website.

Won't claim my settings are righ tbut they do save me time.

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:47 PM

BKphotography
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p.1 #20 · How did you learn Lightroom?

Sam Obeid wrote:
As other have said jump right in, LR is a god send and you’ll soon appreciate it.

This is my LR workflow:

1. Make sure you have good file Organization, it’s key! I keep mine setup as such: Photos\2009\20090331 – Jack & Jill Wedding
2. Copy all of your RAW files to the new folder
3. Copy new folder to backup system/s confirm and reformat cards
4. Import folder into LR with your base Tags, (I have my name, URL, and copyright notice added to every image) render Auto Tone & Preview at 1:1
5. Sort by time and go through set marking rejects using the X key
6. Hide the rejects using the filter tool
7. Select all non rejects and do a global rename with the F2 key, my files are renamed 20090331–00001 etc
8. Add high level key words, couples name, venue/s etc
9. Start batch editing, pick a photo in a set and tweak to heart’s desire and sync to matching photos
10. Go through set and mark your picks with the P key
11. Filter Picks and tweak more.
- Done
Once you get used to LR there will be more to do that will speed up your workflow such as;

- Keyword groups
- Adjusting Camera Import Defaults, save a lot of time on editing
- Export defaults, I have settings for Prints, Low Res, Flickr, Bluedomain, FaceBook etc

Nice write up chum.
Still need to get this lightroom people speak so highly of!

Mar 31, 2009 at 07:56 PM

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