Lightroom VS. Bridge

<p>I currently use bridge, but I hear that lightroom is more efficient for the workflow. I tried a trial version of the program but was frustrated to find that i could not launch into photoshop from lightroom. Want I'm curious about is, what is so great about this program if you already have the creative suite software?</p>

<p>thanks,</p>

<p>J</p>

<p>Joseph, from what I understand (I have CS4, and not Lightroom) Lightroom allows for easier bulk processing, bulk management, etc. While CS focuses (or allows you to focus) more on individual images that might need special attention or processing. But that's not a definitive comment. I'd look at Adobe's blurb on what Lightroom does for some better explanation.</p>

<p>I asked this same question in the wedding forum a month ago.<br>

<a href="../wedding-photography-forum/00RfAB">Click here to see it.</a></p>

<p>Personally, I like the user interface in Lightroom better than in Bridge. Both seem to do about the same things as a RAW processor. I use Lightroom 1.4 and CS3. I've had no problem opening into photoshop using the photo/open in photoshop command. </p>

<blockquote>

<p>I tried a trial version of the program but was frustrated to find that i could not launch into photoshop from lightroom.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You are mistaken. You can launch into Photoshop from LR very easily. It doesn't matter if you are in Library or Develop module, right click on your image, choose Edit In from the list. If you have Photoshop it is the default program. Your image will be converted and CS3/4 whatever version you have opens.</p>

<p>Bridge is a browser.</p>

<p>Lightroom is a database backed archiving program integrated with Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 (raw processor) with some extra features added , a printing module, a slide show creation module and a Web gallery publishing module . being a data base library you can locate images that are located on drives or disks that are not currently attached to the computer. You cannot do that with Bridge.</p>

<p>You have to export from Lightroom to go to Photoshop or a program of your choice. YThe export button is accessed through a button lower left corner of the Library module or fro many module by the key combination command + Shift + E. (I am Mac based and can't tell you what the Windows key combination is.)</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>>>You have to export from Lightroom to go to Photoshop or a program of your choice.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Incorrect. Just right-click and select "Edit in>" You can setup Photoshop and one other app in your preferences of Lightroom.</p>

<p>In Lightroom, go to preferences and choose your external editors, CS4, even aperture if you have it, then, as said before, right click on image and choose your external editor. Other than that, Ellis' discription is pretty on. I think Lightroom is becoming increasingly more full featured as a general image editor as time goes on as is Aperture, Apple's entry. LR's incusion of some localized editing functions is a big step forward for it as a more rounded solution, although it will never be and isn't intended, I believe, to ever compete with the image editing power of Photo Shop.</p>

<p>Reading this thread and I don't know anything about Lightroom. I do a few shoots of events like triathlons, soccer etc.. that will include a few hundred pix and of course exposure varies. Is it true that L.R. can correct a whole group of pix? And if so, would it be just for acceptable viewing by customers and photos would still have to be tweaked in Photoshop. I say Photoshop because I have PS7 and will be getting CS4 soon. thanks for letting me intrude on your conversation.</p>

<p>I used to do all my post edits in PS but now maybe only 1 shot in 30 goes to PS for editing (and that is only for artistic reasons). LR can easily handle most "regular" adjustments. and when it does not, as stated above, just right-click and edit in PS (there are options for "stacking" the edited version over or alongside the original).</p>

<p>"..Is it true that L.R. can correct a whole group of pix?.."</p>

<p>yes, so does Bridge thru camera raw also.</p>

<p>But the main difference is what Ellis said, plus i would say, the easy way of doing it. You can export in a file format, or simply export to Ps work your image there and when you save it, the psd file is resave along the raw in Ligthroom, a nice feature that i never use.</p>

<p>You can do almost everything directly and only in Ligthroom if you dont need any external plugin for now. Many photographer i know simply use Lr, and export to Ps only to remove / add or liquify thing..other than that, you can have Lr and still use Ps 7 when needed..no need to get CS4 AND Lr.</p>