PHOTOSHOP vs LIGHTROOM

What is Photoshop?

Photoshop is an image editing software developed and manufactured by Adobe Systems Inc which has many functions and capabilities to make up graphic designers, architects, animators, publishers, photographers and also 3D artists.It allows users to manipulate, crop, resize, and correct color on images.

What is Lightroom?

Post-processing is an unavoidable and inseparable part of professional photography now-a-days. Because of that, choosing the right software tool for post-processing the work efficiently is as important as having the right camera and lens combination for the job. Lightroom is the essential tool for organizing, editing, and sharing your photography. The full name for Lightroom is “Adobe Photoshop Lighroom”, which may sound confusing, because it contains the word “Photoshop”.

Similarities:

At the core level both programs do essentially the same thing, edit images.If somebody is simply looking for software that will help to alter, tweak, and enhance photographs, either one will suffice. Both software are capable of handling multiple file types such as: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and a perennial favorite of many photographers, RAW. Both programs have similar controls and editing options when doing things like adjusting saturation, working with curves, and correcting for lens distortions.These two programs are quite powerful image editors. Both the programs feature an extensive set of editing and manipulation tools allowing to do everything from; basic edits like cropping and adjusting exposure, to advanced alterations such as working with brushes, tone curves, and graduated filters.

Difference between Photoshop and Lightroom:

• File Handling: One of the most important ways in which Lightroom is different from Photoshop is that it does not actually edit photos, nor does it move your images around to different locations on your computer. Instead all the changes you implement are kept in a separate file called the Catalog, which is sort of like a recipe book of instructions for how each photo should be processed. When you apply some type of edit, like a radial filter or adjustment brush, Lightroom is essentially keeping a log of the alterations in a database, while leaving the original image intact. This process is called nondestructive editing, which stands in stark contrast to how Photoshop operates.
• Editing Tools: Lightroom is kind of like an all-terrain-vehicle you might see on some farms. It’s fast, nimble, and can be used for a variety of tasks like hauling small objects and towing little trailers. But it simply cannot match the sheer power of a massive farm truck when it comes to getting big, serious jobs done like transporting massive bales of hay, pulling a horse trailer, or ploughing through mud and snow. Photoshop contains a dizzying array of filters, brushes, and other tools that allow you to perform all manner of edits and changes to your images. But more than that, Photoshop operates by letting you create different layers on which your edits actually take place. For example, the image on the right shows the various layers I used to edit the image of the statue, and each layer can be edited independently of the others. This might look like a lot, but it is not uncommon for a digital artist to use dozens of layers when editing an image. Lightroom, by contrast, works in a much more linear fashion with no layers, fewer editing tools and less overall flexibility. Both programs contain a history panel that lets you step back in time to any of your edits, but working with layers gives you infinitely more control over exactly how you edit your image.
• Workflow: End-to-end workflow solution is a special option of Lightroom. Since it is designed specifically to address the needs of photography enthusiasts and professionals, it handles everything from importing photos from your memory card, to organizing, editing, sharing, and finally printing them. Lightroom has support for keywords and virtual folders to help you keep track of your images, and you can even use it to create a slideshow or photo book. Many photographers, even professionals, will go weeks or months without ever opening Photoshop, because Lightroom takes care of everything they need. On the other end of the spectrum is Photoshop which doesn’t transfer files, won’t organize your images, and certainly can’t make slide shows or photo books. But again, it’s all about the tradeoffs you are willing to accept. Nothing else can even come close to Photoshop in terms of sheer editing power.