For anyone who has a blog, or is semi-serious about photography, there comes a point in time where one outgrows the features of iPhoto or other (free) editing software.
That’s where Adobe Lightroom 3 came into my world.
Not that anyone cares, but I spent all free moments of my weekend (at least 6+ hours) and all spare moments on Monday and Tuesday when I wasn’t working (another 6+ hours) just trying to figure it out.
I know Jessica and Ashley use Lightroom version 2. Kath uses Lightroom 3 and just posted an amazing post about how she blogs and uses LR 3. I had this post somewhat pre-written but didn’t want to post about Lightroom until I sort of had the hang of it.
This software is no joke! The program is complex enough that I wish I had a graphic design minor to figure it out. Just getting 25,000 photos from my iPhoto library into the LR 3 library took me enough google searches and time spent in uber-geeky online forums to really question what I was doing.
There are entire blogs and websites devoted to learning the program such as:
Digital Photography School’s Post Production Tips
and Adobe’s own AdobeTV with Video tutorials
I think one could make learning this software it’s own college degree. I have heard Lightroom 2 is a bit easier and more user-friendly as it pertains to uploading pictures into a Mac, but even so, a major learning curve for me since I have no experience with graphic design, Photoshop, or photo editing.
After all is said and done, here are a few screenshots of a couple of photos I edited of the No Bake Toffee & Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Before on the left and After on the right
Before on the left and After on the right
And apparently Lightroom worked because I just re-submitted this newly edited photo to Foodgawker and it made it!
Also potatoes, Before on the left and After on the right
The screen shots are nice because they show the before and after simultaneously. Unfortunately, you don’t get quite the full effect because the pictures are smaller and not full screen, but I think you can see there is a difference in the before and afters. Brighter, crisper, cleaner, more “pop”. Enough of a difference that it’s worth it to keep learning.
I feel like I’m in college again, seriously. I have been “studying” so hard! All that studying made me hungry.
I made a salad with Vegan Slaw Dressing
And 4 Ingredient Hummus (garlic-free, vegan)
Dessert: Vegan Chocolate Chip Coffee Softserve Sundaes
You can omit the coffee if you don’t like it, but I think coffee + chocolate go so well together. Most things go well with chocolate, though, for me.From my last post and my meetup with Marla, thanks for telling me who your last meetup was with and if you’ve met anyone from the blogosphere or been recognized or recognized anyone. Some of you have been recognized, too! Cool and surreal, all at the same time, right?
Questions:
1. Have you ever used any photo editing software? If so, which one and do you like it? How was the learning curve?
I realize that not everyone has a camera, has a decent camera, cares about photography, or cares about how the photos they do take look. <— That was my progression the past two years.
Fast forward to now, I traded in the Point and Shoot for a DSLR, photography is becoming a passion of mine, and I do care how my new photos look. I could never go back in time and re-make and re-photograph 500 recipes but going forward, I am trying harder and using editing software will only help.
Once I wrap my mind around it and learn it.
2. What new things have you learned lately?
I have learned or attempted to learn:
My DSLR camera
New ways to workout in less time and I have streamlined 75+ minute workouts into 40 minute ones
I’ve learned that the grass is not always greener and to be content with where I am at today. Right now. Life is a journey, not just an end game.
I’ve learned my body can tolerate small amounts of dairy
That mindless TV like the Kardashians and The Real Housewives gives me joy
I learned that my mother’s intuition is right on the money
What things have you learned? What would you like to learn?
I think most of the photo programs are CRAZY complicated! I’m in a Design Studies class and we had to do a project on Photoshop, which I had never even opened prior to the project, and it was overwhelming!
Good luck on the program and keep us updated. I really do notice the difference in your photos, but I’ll be curious to hear if you think the difference is worth the time and effort spent in learning AND using the software.
for me, i do love photography. new found passion.
but if one is not serious about photography and is just “whatever”…or doesn’t want to get their pics into FG or TS, then who cares…dont bother. But for me, I want to bother :)
LOVE this reply Averie! That’s true dedication to your passion! :D
The photos look great! I don’t use anything, but iphoto. I want to learn more, but I don’t want to spend a fortune on it unless I am making money doing it.
Ooh that sundae looks scrumptious!
I read Kath’s post today and after reading her post and yours, I’m seriously tempted to buy Lightroom now.
I spend a lot of time “studying” blogging related info. It’s time consuming, but it has made a huge difference with my current blog, as opposed to my older short-lived ones. I’ve learned so much in the past 6 months. I have a lot more to learn though. :-)
you should get it IF you are serious about learning it. it’s not as easy as kath made it sound, well for me it hasnt been. I mean, it’s not impossible b/c just in a few days about about 25 hrs of my time, I am getting results but it’s not “overnight” and it’s not idiotproof which is pretty much iphoto. Just wanted to give you my unbiased thoughts :)
Wow! What a change that software makes! Very nice :)
I want to learn to belly dance, sew, crochet, knit, wrap jewelry, blow glass! The list goes on!
omg i want to do all those things with you. FUN!
Between you and Kaths post it makes me want to get Lightroom! But I would definitely have to spend lots of time on google to figure everything out
This takes my back to my graphic design days in college, LR is a huge app with tons of features and a huge learning curve.Super useful, just takes awhile to get the hang of. That’s awesome you bought it, I’ve been thinking about getting Photoshop since Paint.NET is just too weak sometimes. I used to be a huge graphics junkie and still have my art pad. Pretty much any photo from my point-and-shoot needs help before posting, they’re usually way too dark, grainy, etc. I’m spoiled by hardly needing to touch photos from the DSLR.
1. Yes, I used to work in Photoshop all the time for jobs and Photoshop contests. Since I’m too cheap to buy a home license, I’ve been using Paint.NET at home which isn’t too shabby for a free alternative.
2. Improved photography skills, working with new ingredients, gardening, sprouting, and always new challenges at work.
I really think you’d like LR 3. Since you already have a background in it, it would be a SNAP for you to learn probably. Soooo many options and features and yes, learning curve central for me w/ no background but for you, a shoe in :)
Sooo hoo! Congrats on getting accepted by fg!! I need that Lightroom program, can’t wait to get it!
It really does make a world of difference. I have Photoshop and I know it’s capable of the same, but it seems Lightroom is designed just for what I need.
I have learned that the cookie dough balls are like food crack. I <3 them so much. My son is the photographer in the house. He is four and takes pictures better than I ever have.
Wow, those pics look great! Lightroom looks like so much fun – I love figuring stuff like that out :)
The pics look great! I used to use Photoshop a long time ago, and really need to take the time again. It clearly makes a huge difference! Lately, I’ve been using Aperture, just for time sake.
I learn new things everyday… It can still snow 10 inches in one day in NY on March 23rd!
girl my mom’s bday is march 26 and growing up in MN we used to get blizzards on her bday, routinely.
And aperture is another really good one. I just had heard great things about LR so went with it. It’s not easy, but worth it :)
ok, just the THOUGHT of using LR3 freaks me out!! way to go, averie, on your self-directed learning, and on conquering the world of LR3! your photos are *improving* (they were never horrible to begin with!) daily!
happy experimenting with your dslr + LR3!
thank you Cathy :) I am trying!
you can definitely see the difference in the pics! They look amazing! Good luck learning LR, I have a sample of it and I just click on the different settings and just let it go. I have no clue how it works hahhaa
I have apparently been really into learning lately. Last week I signed up for a DSLR camera class (finally), photoshop and most recently (and most excitingly!) the teacher training course for yoga sculpt!
I love seeing the side by side pictures, I can see a HUGE difference!
how exciting on the yoga front and the camera class!
Alright!!! Congrats on FG!!! Bout time ;-)
how bout it :)
There is so much I’d like to learn more about — one of those subjects being photography!
I am amazed at the difference the lightroom makes — your pictures really POP when they are brightened up!
New things I have lately learned — so much blog stuff that I didn’t realize I would need to know. Oh and Twitter — but I don’t think I’ve really learned how to use that yet!
hey your last comment to me, the blog trip. i need info/details about that. email me!