Lightroom 4 AND Photoshop?

I suppose the difficulty is when you have software that works then you get something strange the temptation to take the easier route is the option chosen. I've never been happy with LR so normally stick with CS and plugins like Topaz B&W etc. Maybe I've been reading the wrong magazines but they always have examples for photoshop and elements but very little on LR. At the end of the day it's what works for you LR4.X was a pain because it was so slow so uninstalled it and left 3.6 on the computer to play with.

I had a thought once but it died of loneliness

Cabstar
When i was in libaray mode i could not see developer.
Mannesty
If you dont have the key to the door, you can stand there for ever but you wont get in.
Cheers
Dave

There are clearly some common misconceptions about the difference between the traditional 'image editor' (ie pixel pusher) and the newer breed of 'parameric image editors' (ie proceses that record and store parameters of adjustment metadata to be rendered when the user is ready).

The whole business is further complicated when we consider the 'all-in-one' workflow-solution type of program (such as LR), which as well as combining tradional RAW conversion (parametric type) processes with image editing functions (also stored as metadata in an internal database), adds in an image collection cataloguing feature, with image specific metadata, tags, XMP / IPTC data fields as well!

What has previously been 4 distict workflow processes (cataloging, RAW convert, archive, image editing / output optimising) can become somewhat merged and indistict through a refined and seamless interface. It is surely this reduced distinction in the new users mind that can lead to difficulties or misunderstandings.

Of interest to me (as a user of separate programs for the key workflow areas) would be an option in Lightroom to disengage (deactivate) the catalogue. I am not sure if this is possible - I believe that one of LRs competitors (Bibble 5) does offer this possibility.?

So what are you saying :

OK, here is the 'key' you need.

When you run Lightroom for the first time, by default you will be in the 'Library' module. Thereafter it will start in whichever module you were in when you closed it. The other modules, including Develop, Map, Book, Slideshow, Print, & Web can be accessed by clicking on the menu options in big bold letters at the top right of the screen. Just click on the word 'Develop' to get into the develop module having first selected a photo by clicking on it that you want to develop/adjust/ make changes to.

If you can't see these modules, there is something wrong with your installation.

Why would you want to do that? No one buys a camera and just takes and edits one picture.


btw - I use several catalgues in Lightroom. My main catalgue is for all my exported iamges in which no editing is done, and that's where all my keywording rating and geotagging,and slideshowing is done.

I then have catalogues for editing Originals. I Normally start a new one every every year. I also have catalogues for editing my old 35 negs and a catalogue.

All these catalogues have shortcuts in the desktop so I can launch into any of them easily

As with any program key commands save loads of time.

'G' for Library Module
'D' for Develop Module

I also use a plugin called paddy, which allows you to assign many many things to Key commands, including develop presets, adjustment brush presets, etc

https://sites.google.com/site/dorfl68/

Absolutely excellent and saves a whole ton of time.

Plus all your edits would be lost when you closed lightroom. You'd have to start each image again from scratch when you reopened it.

I don't know how other people do it, but when I import pictures to the catalogue, I don't move the files. I maintain my own system of folders for lightroom, and to import new images I just manually drop new files into a folder from the SD card, select the folder in lightroom and synch it. The program then adds any new pictures to the catalogue. As I said at the beginning, the files don't move, lightroom simply remembers the 'path' to the source file.

That this blurring of distinction between the different key components of a workflow (as presented in a 'all-in-one' solution such as LR / Aperture), may be the cause of numerous misconceptions / misunderstandings about such programs. Keeping an awareness of exactly what functional stage you are at when either thinking about using the software or actually learning it would most likely help - I guess!!

Smeggy & Pentaxophile - I appreciate your points, but you remain very much inside the world of the 'all-in-one'solution. My question was really raising the possibility of separating the distinct key workflow stages : in my case I would not want to begin again with a new cataloging / image database - for me the 'NEXT BIG THING' will be imatch 5, now in private beta. But I might take advantage of some of LRs integrated RAW and edit features in the interest of efficiency.

But I'd need to disengage the catalogue (Library is it called?), or at least render it superfluous to managing edits within the program, in order to avoid duplication of the purely image organization aspects that I have already invested time in elsewhere.

Yup that's exactly what I do.

In that case Lightroom isn't for you and I would imagine that Photoshop is the app to go for.

Sorry, too jargonized for me.

Simple, Yes ? (Makes squeaky sound like a meerkat)