So I have been playing with Lightroom since beta 1.0 came out months ago. Now that the first rev has been released I have been able to seriously take a good look at this new application. If you are unfamiliar with what Lightroom is, check it all out here.

So here is how it has fit into my work-flow. Let me preface this with the note that I am NOT a full time shooter, not even close to a part time shooter… I do however only shoot in RAW with my D200, and jpg with my Olympus SW720.

::Import::

I have Lightroom set to allow me to control imports, I first create a folder based on the shoot, in the most recent case I have been documenting our new house being built. I have a New_house folder, then sub folders based on date. The importing goes nice and fast over USB and via Firewire card readers.

I am a sucker for high contrast and vignettes, so I was able to create a preset with my preferences, these two items get applied to every file as it imports. What a time saver!

::Organization::

After importing, I go through in the “Library” screen and remove the bad ones. It is great to have all my images sorted by keywords, folders, and catalogs.

::Develop::

This is were the magic happens. The RAW processing is wonderful. I love the control and all of the sliders are easy to use. The thing I really love is the ability to adjust JPG’s in the exact same manner as RAW files. Syncing file settings is as easy as selecting the images you want and hitting sync. One tool that is new to the Adobe RAW process is, Recovery, it is great at saving blown highlights. Check it out!

::Export:

Here’s where the time saving happens for me. Unlike ACR, Lightroom only renders your RAW files when you need them and in the size that you require. For instance, for our blog posts, I have an Export Preset that sets JPG quality, image size and file names to fit my blog requirements. For 4x prints, i have a preset for again all of the correct settings. Now my HDD isn’t filled with RAW files, Full Res JPGs, blog JPGs, proof JPGs, etc.

One more exciting thing about the export function is the ability to attach applications to the end of a process. Wholly timesaver batman… After exporting my blog JPGs, I have a shortcut to Yummy FTP (the best mac FTP client), built into Lightroom, it then logs onto our FTP server, and uploads the images. All in one click of a button!

::Slideshow and Print:

I haven’t really had the need to use these to function’s, so I can’t really give any feedback. In poking over to those two areas I have been excited to see that they look incredibly powerful and easy to use.

So did Lightroom replace Photoshop for me? NO WAY! Did it change my color correction/RAW workflow? SURE DID! I do all of my conversions and file prep in Lightroom and I do all of my “pixel level” and page layout work in Photoshop. I think Lightroom and Photoshop will live a symbiotic relationship on my Mac Book Pro.

I really strongly recommend everyone download the trial version of Lightroom and give it a good whirl. If you are a RAW shooter you owe it to your files…and it will save you time too!

Click the box to download a trial!