Adobe released Lightroom 4 this year and as I scoured the Internet to find the best image editing software to accompany my new DSLR this program kept popping up. Granted, LR4 doesn't compare to the capabilities of Photoshop, which I was considering as well, but for my experience level and my cost limitations $700 for Photoshop was out of my price range. The price of $150 for Lightroom and the great reviews was the determining factor in my purchase.
Being that I have NEVER used a dedicated program for editing my photos I was amazed with what I could accomplish with this program. Underexposed images could be recovered, colors manipulated, sharpness, clarity, luminosity, effects....the list is endless.
Main tabs in LR4:
Library: After importing and custom renaming your photos you have the ability to scroll/tab through your images and mark them with identifying colors, flags, and compare two images next to each other, there are also two side modules that allow you to "Quick Develop" and add "Keywords" to your images, and view and edit your "MetaData".
Develop: This tab is where 99% of image editing will take place. The adjustment modules found on the right side of the screen and each have their own setting adjusters.
- Basic: Temp., Tint, Tone, Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Blacks, Whites, Presence, Clarity, Vibrance, Saturation
- Tone Curve: Highlights, Lights, Darks, Shadows, Point Curve
- HSL/Color/B&W: Hue, Saturation, Luminance, Color and B&W adjustment
- Split Toning: Highlights, Shadows
- Detail: Sharpening controls, Noise Reduction Controls
- Lens Correction: Used to reduce or remove known defects with lenses (Vignetting...)
- Effects: Choose a preset effect and adjust it
- Camera Calibration: Calibrate color details for your specific camera
Book: One great aspect of LR4 is the ability to make custom books using your pictures. Do everything in Lightroom and just click and send it to be printed and shipped to you.
Slideshow: Tired of using "Powerpoint"? Now Just use LR4 and everything is in one spot. All your pictures, adjustments and controls are in the same window to control your custom slideshow.
Web: Publish your images to a variety of online hosts and websites. All of which is customizable.
