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| ![Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.0 (Win/Mac) [OLD VERSION]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BSa3UbCmL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | From: Adobe
Category: Software
List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $99.00
You Save: $200.99 (67%)
New (8) Used (1) from $99.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  74 reviews
Sales Rank: 2027
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Mac Os X, Windows Xp, Mac Os X Intel
Media: CD-ROM
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Mac OS X Intel
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0.1 x 0.1
MPN: 19250101
Model: 19250126
UPC: 883919058306
EAN: 0883919058313
ASIN: B000MG2KPU
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: ** Student/Educational Version for Windows/Mac. Sealed in original shrinkwrap. Item #540224700 **
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| Customer Reviews:
 Eh... October 7, 2007
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
First of all, if you KNOW you want to buy this, check academicsuperstore.com first (if you're a student/academic) to see if you can apply for the discount (it only cost me $98 there).
That having been said, as a user of Photoshop CS, I wasn't too pleased with the program. I feel like the adjustments you can make in Lightroom seem elementary compared to the comprehensive array of instruments you can use in Photoshop. However, Lightroom doesn't claim to be as good as Photoshop, so I suppose I shouldn't berate it for this.
The interface of Lightroom is beautiful in comparison to Photoshop...but I still haven't gotten used to the crazy "import" function. It seems very counterintuitive to me that you can import a file, heavily edit the file, and yet not have it on your computer. Perhaps I just need to spend more time with the program.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with Photoshop. Photoshop is a beast! Lightroom seems more for the layperson who doesn't want to deal with the more complicated interface/controls of Photoshop.
I'm not saying that there aren't people out there who wouldn't pledge their lives to this program. Perhaps you're one of those who will find this to be a great investment. That having been said, I would recommend against it. For $300, go buy yourself a version of Photoshop.
 Not there yet..... October 3, 2007
15 out of 25 found this review helpful
Overview of review:
Pros:
1. Pretty interface,
2. Nice options to organize and rate photos
Cons:
1. Poor support for multiple monitors, does not span screens well,
2. Printing required someone really special to get it right, I gave up,
3. Vertical scroll required to reach required tools all the time,
4. Poor interface, seems that a lot of time is wasted switching in out of library view...
5. Slow rendering of large Raw files, needs to pre-build the thumbnails in the background to make it bearable,
6. Uses a database to track modifications and rate photos making you tied to a single machine, never figured out how to move the db to another machine and not loose all the changes/from Laptop to primary workstation/ to portable workstation at photo sessions/to main file server for backup....hate re-doing same thing over again....don't you.
Adobe in its classical style has created a comprehensive product in Lightroom that can do just about anything you want if you take the time to learn the product inside and out. Unfortunately, you will need to spend considerable amount of time on each photo to get the results you want. After spending several weeks working on just 1800 photos from one wedding and reception I was getting tired of the pretty interface and went looking for something better; especially when working with Raw files; lightroom was just too slow even on my heavy duty multiprocessor workstation with tons of Ram, dedicated storage and multiple monitors.
I tried out Bibble and was pleasantly surprised; not only did they provide support for my new Canon 40D at the time it came out; their interface is dead simple and gave great results with just a couple clicks; wow, if only the guys at Adobe had some good interface people who could think out of there tried and true complex interface mentality; and provide a simple one that works. Don't get me wrong; they did give a simpler interface in Library mode; but the results are simply terrible using their auto tone; did they really try out this stuff on real pictures before they sell it? Also Bibble uses a file named the same as the photo with .bib extension to track the changes; you can copy the photos from one machine to another and open it and see the same changes you just made on the other machine; wow, someone was really thinking.
Considering I have 20 years software development/QA background I can understand how hard it is for Adobe to shake off their old ways. I use to direct a group of Graphics artists who made a living because of the complexity of the Photoshop interface, so it has its advocates. The last two years doing freelance photo work on the side have made me test the market for a solution to the digital photo overload I am experiencing. Unfortunately, none of the big software companies are spending enough time on testing before they sell their products; guess that is what they think the customers are for. I think smaller companies produce more innovative products that lead the innovation; and Bibble is an example; I am sure the Adobe guys will get there eventually by following the others no doubt.
Adobe does stand out for organizing the photos, but I find that for processing large numbers of photos with the least effort and getting great results; Bibble Pro has it beat hands down. Honestly, I would much rather be out taking photos then sitting in front of the computer working on them; fortunately now I don't have too. Thanks Bibble Pro.
 Photoshop for photographers! September 15, 2007
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
They say, if Ansel Adams was around he'd be snapping away with a digital camera. Maybe so, but I doubt he would be adding type to his images or cutting, pasting and warping. What for? My point is that from the beginning, Photoshop has had very little to do with photography.
So Adobe got together with some photographers and ended up with something that leaves the emphasis on taking and fine-tuning a great photo--not altering, retouching or salvaging a poor one (although it can do all that). And what a program it is! Fast, intuitive and surprisingly easy to use. Reasonably priced, too.
Lightroom also adapts to different ways of working. If you take pictures the old fashioned way and spend a day making 3 or 4 really memorable images, no problem. Or, if you want to take hundreds of shots and edit, in the hope that a few will be good, Lightroom is even better for that.
Really great software and such a pleasure to see Adobe "gets it".
 Printing a deal breaker September 6, 2007
Lot's of nice stuff in Lightroom, but you have to be a Photoshop expert to print properly. Unless you have the Color Management set just right you prints are going to look horrible and there is no, I repeat, no useful instructions on how to do this - only the vaguest of explanations that leave you looking for more explanations. The entire help text on Printer Color Management is less than 400 words and none of it actually tells you how to do anything. It tells you what Lightroom can do, but not how to do it. Any question you ask about Color Management on Adobe's website simply refer you back to Lightroom's Help/User Guide which, as I've said, has only the vaguest of explanations.
I'm sure all this stuff is covered in Photoshop because Photoshop people who move to Lightroom don't seem to have any problem printing, but I'm not buying Photoshop.
I'm really glad I used the 30 day trial. I'd be very upset if I'd spent any money on this product.
Fills a niche August 27, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I echo the other reviewers on Lightroom's capabilities, and highly recommend this software. I use Adobe's Creative Suite Premium CS3, and I'm a little miffed that Lightroom isn't included. Lightroom doesn't replace Photoshop by any means, and it doesn't have the overall photo/file review capabilities of Bridge, but it fills a much needed niche for Adobe. It's a must have for sorting large volumes of digital images, for reviewing directly from your digital camera, (be careful if your using it for B & W, i.e., TIF images scanned from negatives). Lightroom is terrific for creating web galleries, and probably indispensable for many digital photography tasks ... still left to explore/discover. I strongly recommend getting the free 30 trial before you buy.
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