Edit Wars: Lightroom VS Photoshop – Which is Best and Why
In the battle for the top spot in today’s photo editing marketplace, there are two clear winners: Photoshop and Lightroom. We surveyed MCP Facebook Fans to hear why they love and prefer one over the other. Read the arguments and decide which best fits your workflow, editing needs, and post-processing goals. To see hundreds of reasons you can visit our Facebook Page and see why people prefer Photoshop and why others prefer Lightroom.
Photoshop:
- You can use MCP’s Photoshop actions.
- You can use MCP Presets in the RAW editor – ACR.
- The program can do almost anything.
- It is more comprehensive than other editing software.
- It has layers for more control.
- You can mix and match actions and layers.
- You can selectively edit using masks.
- You can batch edit.
- It comes with ACR and Photoshop, plus Bridge.
- You have more control in Photoshop than with any other editing program.
- It is great for both photography and graphic design.
- It’s the best program for digital retouching.
- Ideal for correcting skin tones to perfection.
- There is lots of training tools available for Photoshop.
- You can use blending modes.
- You can control the opacity of each edit, action, layer and change made.
- It can be used for more than just photography – for things like scrapbooking and design.
Lightroom:
- You can use MCP’s Quick Clicks Collection Lightroom Presets.
- It’s intuitive from the second you open it and is easier to use than “other” editing software.
- It does not have layers – less to learn.
- It lacks masking, but has a nifty adjustment brush.
- You can sync files for super fast editing.
- You can preview your changes in real time – watch your edits before applying them.
- You never damage your original files.
- You do not have to click save.
- You can use one program for RAW and JPG edits.
- It is like Bridge on steroids.
- You can edit faster in Lightroom than any other editing program.
- It has incredible organizational tools.
- It is built for speed!
- You can prep for web, build slideshows, and get ready for printing in just a few clicks.
- White balance and exposure take seconds to fix on RAW images.
- The program works super fast – no waiting for photos to process.
In conclusion, if you feel the need for control over every aspect of your image and like being able to edit your work and make graphics, text, etc – Photoshop is your winner! If you prefer a fast, efficient workflow where you can organize and edit hundreds of photos in record time, Lightroom is the best choice for you. If you are like me, and want the best of both programs, you can opt for a workflow that integrates Lightroom for organization and basic editing and Photoshop for specialty work and detailed retouching. We hope this helped you decide what works best for you. Add comments below and tell us which you like best.
Next Post: Photoshop Actions vs. Lightroom Presets: What’s the Difference?
I have never used lightroom before. Without masks is there a way to dodge and burn images?
Yes. There is an “adjustment” brush that does dodge and burn, along with teeth whitening, softening skin, clarity on eyes, etc. That said I am so in love with the Amazing Faces action set from MCP that its hard not to export it back into PS to use those! I’ve used it for almost a month now, incredible program.
In my photography I can’t imagine using only one of these two products. I’ve got a very distinct work flow that begins in Lightroom with basic raw processing and ends in Photoshop for small touch ups and a few stylistic actions or filters. To me, they are two entirely different animals, each with their own strength. I couldn’t live without the control photoshop offers over my photos, but I certainly can’t imagine doing my basic processing without the speed and ease of Lightroom.
I couldn’t live without both!
you are comparing apples and oranges, though I must say, what I would use lightroom for, I can do in ACR.
I definitely use both programs. But I find these days that I do 90% of my post processing in Lightroom. Once I learned how to fully use the toning and color tools in Lightroom (Split Toning, Tone Curse, HSL), I can usually create the mood I want in a finished images without going to Photoshop. I now mostly use Photoshop for fixing problems (removing distractions, liquifying, head swapping).
I use both. I need both. I however do not think LR can be used exclusively for editing. I do not think it can produce quality professional images like PS can. LR is for basic adjustments, cropping, renaming in bulk, etc… PS is where the good stuff happens.