Adobe cloud & ecosystem

Some are suspicious of anything with the word "cloud". Your email is in a cloud. Using the WWW, World Wide Web, is in a cloud. Facebook, Instagram and all social media is in a Cloud.

The Adobe Cloud is no different. Using Lightroom Classic sync is no different, as is Lightroom, mobile, Web. 

When you use Lightroom Classic sync your images are in the Adobe cloud. You can access, share and arrange them in Folders and Albums.

This video by Terry White should get you started https://youtu.be/kcO4Emc70KY?si=LXB4a-3OatMpega1

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

 

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.

My Lightroom Desktop Workflow

1. Insert camera card to computer reader.

2. Select the images you want to save to your "image library" and copy them. 

3. Paste to the desired location. 

4. Using Lightroom Desktop review and select your picks and select those selections and create a subdirectory and move the selections to that directory, which I label it to PICKS. 

5. Review the PICKS and those I choose to edit and give them 4 stars.

6. When it is ready to publish I got to Photoshop to add my signature them make those 5 stars.

7. Optionally copy the best to the cloud.

Moving from Lightroom Classic to Lightroom (Update 20240923)

 Some may ask Why? Well I've hedged my bets so I can go back. I created xmp sidecar on every imported image. I changed so that xmp sidecars are created for each import and edit. Since lightroom desktop any edit there will also use the xmp. When you use Lightroom Classic you get an indication that the metadata was changed by outside of LrC choose to use the metadata on the disk.

First I created a folder under me master photos folder called Lightroom Desktop. In Lightroom Classic Library folders I changed my folder name to Lightroom Classic.

Now all new images will be copied from my camera to Lightroom Desktop. I have a folder CATAGORIES  and under that I have folder for ANIMIALS, PEOPLE, LANDSCAPE,  and others. Each subcategory I will further refine to others as needed. 

I can use my camera microphone to record a short description of the shoot and other information as needed. The import dialog in Classic ignores that information.

Yes there are some "short comings" but none are show stoppers. 

When I wanted to create a slideshow I select the images and moved them to a subfolder, Slideshow-name.

Why use Lightroom Desktop? No catalog, basically the Local tab is a browser and when you have your best images you can add them to the cloud and use web, mobile, portfolio and other that the Adobe Ecosystem.

Will moving to Lightroom change my Post-processing?

A friend asked "... better understanding of how moving to Lightroom would change my post-processing."

The short answer, not at all. It's a matter of workflow.

My longer answer "Nothing in post processing has really changed. No one will improve their editing. Camera RAW is Lightroom, they're dentical. The layout in Lightroom is better than classic.

Think of Lightroom as file browser that links to Lightroom Development with the browser.

To me the gain is no catalog, library, lost images, no need to choose delete catalog or delete from disk and catalog.

The loss is no collections in local, no labels, map, book, print, no edit history (but you can create "snap shots")...

 

As far as no labels, I the main directory of a shoot I have created a subdirectory and put the shoot there. Then after that I only move the best to the top level.

If you installed presets they don't directly transfer. They are on your computer and easily loaded."

Lightroom or Lightroom Classic?

My journey Lightroom Classic -> Lightroom  When I began using Lighroom Classic I have organized my files by date, yyyy-mm-dd. Often in Lightroom Classic, LRc, I would change the file name with the date + area/category. When I bought a course to learn Lightroom, before it was known as Lightroom Classic, the suggestion to organize by date. So that's what I've done.  Then along way, after a few years, I watched this, by Scott Kelby,   It made sense but should I change? Not likely. But I decided to there's no time like the next shoot. So I created a folder CATEGORIES. I used all caps to make it standout. Then I added subfolders for each category. Now each shoot goes into a category. Since the images are where I want them input just add to the catalog. Then along comes Adobe MAX 2023. And in Lightroom CC they rebrand it and drop the CC and add the feature ‘Local’. Ok so?  I'm happy with Lightroom Classic and then I listen to Mattk’s new podcast,  Then the videos    Scott Kelby Terry White Brian Matiash  Ok, Ok. Look into it. Maybe 90-95% of the time I used the Library and Develop modules. Can I live without a few features that Lightroom Classic has that Lightroom can't. I think so. Let's give it a try. But, there's always a but. The big but is. Don't move, rename any folders outside of Lightroom Classic. Any or all folders created within Lightroom Classic are only moved or renamed in Lightroom Classic. Why? Edits are still non-destructive, no catalog, no import. But the Adobe Cloud? All my images are on my external drive. I don't need ‘no stink’n cloud ‘ or badge's as they said in “Blazing Saddles”. I don't NEED Adobe Cloud But when I want to use it I can choose to “copy to the cloud”.  copy is the operative word. A copy with your edits is, let say exported, to the cloud. Just like when in Lightroom Classic you sync a collection.  Basically you are not required to change what you currently do.  Me, I'm all in. That doesn't mean I'm deleting Lightroom Classic and it's supporting files. So maybe I'm not so All In. I'll hedge my bets. I have been  You may want to read https://www.matiash.com/blog/common-lightroom-myths-busted EDIT: I had my main photography folder is called Photo Library. Under that folder I had "Photos go here" for my lightroom classic folders and subfolders. So to keep Lightroom, Deskltop,  separate from Lightroom Classic I used Lightroom Classic to change "Photos go here" to Lightroom Classic. In file explorer/finder I created a folder called "Lightroom Desktop". Under my new folder, Lightroom Desktop I created my Categories folder and subfolders using the same as I created in Lightroom Classic.

Lightroom Videos I Suggest

    

A few links for Lightroom Classic

Masking

 Adaptive Presets

Is there a place for Bridge and Lightroom? 

 Mask anything

Organizing Your Photos 

Every expert, content creator, ... has their way to do it. It may not work for you. How do you organize is the best way for YOU.  BUT once you begin to use Lightroom Classic only use Lightroom Library to rename, move or otherwise modify your photo locations, names etc.

In YouTube I entered this search "how to organise photos in lightroom classic " and there are lots of the best way. You need to find the way that works for you. Following are some that I have viewed and I'm still searching for the BEST . 

I want to avoid having a mess 

The Kelby Way

The Tim Grey Way 

5 Ways 

The PHlearn series 

More on Range Mask

More on range mask mask I'll Lightroom and Photoshop camera raw @[100044366172403:2048:Matt Kloskowski] 

https://youtu.be/m17SbhGn7Io

I Didn't Know This

Matt K has published several videos about how Adobe subscription users can use little known, to me,  features that are included. 

Get The Most From Adobe

I Don't Use Lightroom

Lightroom isn't for everyone as an photo editor. Some do not want the DAM, Digital Asset Management, tools and that's ok.

However many videos that cover photo editing are Lightroom centric. But most editing tools do the same or similar operations. Like various camera manufacturers have different dials, menus, buttons, etc. They all have the exposure triangle as their basis.

Photo editors, like cameras, are tools to accomplish a common goal. Learn your chosen tool, editor, to enhance your photo.

Study and learn the fundamentals as they apply to editing and apply then to your tool.

Lightroom catalog and related

During my discoveries of Lightroom I thought I'd try and collect several here.

Missing files/folders

 

Catalog

  - Multiple catalogs 

  - Ten top Misunderstandings 

  - Understanding the Lightroom Catalog.

  - What is a Lightroom Catalog 

Release 10.1

Rating workflow

Lightroom Print

I had used Photoshop to create a photo with frame and text for publishing photos to instagram and FB. It was more time consuming. 

Working on another project my friend Randy suggesting using the Print module to do that project. During that project I began to think about my Photoshop frame and text. Easy least. My choice, not as elegant using Photoshop allows me to leverage the Lightroom Library metadata.

My result makes use of the Title, Caption and other metadata. Instructions to create your Template

Following is an example of a photo.

Since I haven't figured out how to, yet, add a link to the template make a comment in this post and include your email and say you want the template.

How I Cull, Choose, My Keepers

With the announcement of Lightroom, formally cloud, and the Local tab I've changed MY way 

 I'll make a post on my way later.

 I'm a user of Lightroom Classic so this discussion is based on my experience and choice on how I cull my photo shoots. There is not correct way but it is MY way.

• Import my images from my card

• During the import I make sure my destination is correct.
• I add appropriate Key Words.

• In Library mode Loupe view
• Enable the Navigator window
• Set CapsLK it you want to advance to the next image you make a solution.
• Use the P, pick flag, U, Unflag, X, Flag for seletion.
• In each image I am looking at, Focus, Composition, Exposure
• X anything out of focus.
• P or U if the composition can be fixed with a reasonable Crop.
• P or U if Exposure can be improved by about +-2 stops.
• U if it is a memory shot that I would not post.
• I will often use 1:1 to verify focus,
• Now I will remove, delete from storage, all X's
• Now I will go to Grid view and use the attribute  "tab" to view all the P, White flagged images.
• Go back thru the Picks and rate each using number ratings 1 to 4. 1 = I may edit, 4 = I will edit. 2 or 3 = Maybe.
• With the Picks add the 4 stared to sort the 4 stars. Birds in flight that are mostly heading to you with the eye in focus is a definite P4.
• Remove the CapsLK.  Now it's time to edit.
• With my Picks and 4's selected I go to the Development module.
• As I go thru the editing process I may demote the rating to a lower number, 3 or lower, or Un-flag or X to mark for deletion.
• When I am happy with the edited image I will promote it to 5.
• If I have to many P-5's I review again and demote, 4 or lower,.

• I've been attempting to just have 1 to 3 of a similar image, like a sunset, sunrise, moon, ... Why force the viewer to make a  choice from 10-20 good photos that are very similar?
• For example on a recent shoot I have several good/great images of a Great Blue Heron in flight. I choose the one that you could see the eye, extended wings, etc. in sharp focus and detail.

This one, 

Understanding the Lightroom Catalogue

I'm trying to make sure I understand the basic blocks of Lightroom as it relates to files on my computer, Catalog, Virtual copies and collections. See the following photo.

During the Import operation files are written to or added to the storage device, usually a drive. The LR Catalog adds entries that contain; image file location, meta data, image thumbnail, and other information need about the image file.  

During other operations in the various modules, eg. Library, Development, additional entries are made to the Catalog for the imported/registered file. 

When a photo is added to an Collection additional entries are made to the Catalog. 

When a Virtual created another entry is made to the Catalog. This new entry will contain any additional processing, Development, Libray, etc. but not change the previous  processing. If the virtual copy is added to a collection the catalog data for the virtual copy will have information about that collection.

At least that is what I understand.

    

This is the response from my post in Laur Shoe

This is the response to Laura Shoe, "

Laura Shoe That is correct, Larry. Good for you for working through it putting it in language/visuals that make sense to you - lessons you create yourself are lessons not forgotten!

"

Also the Lightroomqueen has an excellent explanation "What is a Lightroom catalog"