Getting Started With Lightroom

 Don't purchase a subscription, install the application and start using it!

Take an online course.

Mattk https://mattk.com/lightroomsystem/

Tim Grey https://www.greylearning.com/courses/mastering-lightroom-classic-2023

Lara Shoe https://laurashoe.com/lightroom-5-6-classic-cc-the-fundamentals-beyond-video-tutorials/

Anthony Morganti https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLllFqBuTM0WJTD4rpvf748Um9MMmbo4r9

In the words of Thomas Watson "THINK".

I started using Lightroom sometime in 2016. At a recommendation, a helpful friend, I purchased a $30 book. Yes it got me started but not the best way. I then found an online course which I purchased. It made sense and it was quite good and through. But led me, I found later, a some of a rabbit hole.

What's the hole?  Basically I didn't THINIK. I just had images on the 'C' drive on my PC.

FIRST THINK about your folder/volume structure. An  early course suggested year, month, day structure. That worked but... Use a large, 2 to 3 terabyte, external drive. Consider an SSD, Solid State Drive. Get another one as a backup drive. 

Second Understand that Lightroom is a DAM, Digital Asset Management application. A relational Database. It uses a Catalog to know where your on your filesystem your images is with the metadata about your camera, serial, lens, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Focal Length, and other information, 

The important is to what makes sense to you. Based on recent  videos I have landed on Categories. So I am  moving to;

CATORGIES

   TRAVEL

name of trip followed by date. For example Alaska Trip 2016 or yyyymmdd Alaska

    PEOPLE

    WILDLIFE

    LANDSCAPE  

 what works for you.

IF or when YOU INSTALLED LIGHTROOM CLASSIC AND STARTED USING IT 

DON'T MOVE YOUR FILES USING THE COMPUTER'S FILE SYSTEM 

 Finder or Explorer 

Now if you want to avoid the Lightroom Classic catalog and a few features that Classic has install Lightroom, which was call Cloud. Lightroom is basically a image browser in the Local tab.

Watch this video by Brian Matiash about Lightroom

Also my blog post here about how I am moving to Lightroom

 

Am I Getting Better?

How am I getting better?

Using the following criteria;   composition, focus. lighting, exposure, sharpness, would print and show them on your wall?

Go through the photos you took 3 years ago and select 20-24, no more, that you consider are the best. 

 This is your base line. Create a collection or album of that collection.  Perhaps give that album/collection name "Improvement Baseline"

Next go through your photos taken in the last 12 months  and select the 20-24, no more, of your best. 

Now on the last best which, using the same criteria when selecting the  baseline which are better than the first best. If you have 0 you haven't progressed. Now since you progressed use the one's better than you baseline and replace best of the new selection in the baseline. That is the new baseline. 

Replace this process in the next 12 months to note your improvement.

18% Gray

We were in a store and i saw black and white poster board. So I grabbed my pocket camera and took a couple of shots. I believe that there's florescence lighting.

White posterboard 

Black poster board 

Our cameras are created to average reflected light to middle, 18%, gray.

No this isn't scientific study just a casual couple of photos.

Become a "Bad Photographer"

 In 2020 I became a "bad photographer" and wrote on my blog

Yes over the years I've purchased several camera Bodies. Not for improved picture quality but for improved features, weight, dials and buttons, articulated screen.

In 2016 or 17 I asked Randy Saffles about what camera to buy he said glass. It's more important.

Get the shot!

This video provide additional information

If you're interested

I have a online group where we can share images, discuss photography, the digital darkroom and related.

This uses phone and tablets. There is no native app for computers.

You can join here: 

Larry Kurfis wants you to join the group, Practical Photography By Larry in the TeamReach App.

Instructions:

Install TeamReach on iPhone (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teamreach-team-management/id1101253705?mt=8

Install TeamReach on Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamreach.app

Enter code: PGL_M541

Thanks

Get more from your Cell phone camera.

 Cellphone camera users may find this useful from Picture Correct

I use the special features on my Pixel 6s as well as the camera in lightroom mobile and open camera app.

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