Lightroom Journal

The Lightroom 2 beta has two expiration dates.  If you already own Lightroom it's August 31st.  If you don't own Lightroom it's 30 days after you started testing the beta.(A 30 day trial)   I don't think anyone disagrees that it's important to reward the current owners for their purchase and use of the first version of Lightroom but we also don't want to discourage new customers from providing feedback on the future of Lightroom.  To that end, we've provided current Lightroom customers with the opportunity to invite friends or folks they meet on the forums to enjoy the beta through the end of August.  Don't be shy.  If someone has taken the time to provide feedback on the forums and wants to continue using the beta beyond 30 days, send them an invitation.  It's a quick process and I've already sent many invitations myself. 
The invitation link is here: https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=labs_lightroom_invite
Enter your Lightroom 1 serial number to authenticate the process and you'll be able to send up to 5 invitations at a time. (The invitee will receive an email with a serial number for use with the beta)

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 04:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lightroom

• Lightroom 1.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that had a metadata update applied.  This incorrect modification does not appear in Lightroom or Bridge and is only viewable through third party EXIF tools.  This error has been corrected in Lightroom 1.4.1 and all files in a Lightroom catalog that have been incorrectly modified will be corrected on their next metadata update. (Metadata can be updated by selecting the files in the Library grid view and choosing Command or CTRL + S to save and update the metadata.)
• Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Lightroom 1.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.
• Any conversion to DNG in Lightroom 1.4 (Windows Only) would cause the DNG file to become unreadable by Lightroom’s Develop Module or Camera Raw 4.4 in Photoshop.  The issue has been corrected and files can be converted to DNG again in order to resolve the issue for existing files.  Returning to the original native raw files is not necessary.  The affected DNG files can be selected and converted again using the DNG Converter 4.4.1 available at www.adobe.com/dng/.  This process is not required but recommended to ensure that a correct validation value is stored within the DNG files.
• Lightroom 1.4 provided degraded import performance relative to Lightroom 1.3.

Camera Raw

• Camera Raw 4.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that were saved as TIFF or JPEG files from the Camera Raw dialog.  This has been corrected in Camera Raw 4.4.1
• Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.
  

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 06:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (42)

Version 2 of Lightroom is now available as a public beta, allowing the the photographic community to provide feedback on new features and workflow enhancements. It's hard to believe that Lightroom 1.0 was released just over a year ago and Lightroom 1.1 shortly thereafter.  It really feels like the beta process never stopped and we've received a ton of great feedback through the feature request submissions, customer conversations, forum discussions, tradeshows and targeted customer visits. We're glad to continue the process by releasing this version before it's final to get your opinions on our progress.  This is different from the previous Lightroom beta in that we'll be targeting feedback on new enhancements and aiming to release the final version sooner than we did in the previous year-long beta.   I've provided a few key notes below but I strongly recommend reading the entire Release Notes document available on Labs.adobe.com.

Beta Eligibility

Q: Who is eligible for the  Lightroom 2.0 beta?
A: All Lightroom 1.0 customers.  Lightroom 1.0 customers can download and install Lightroom 2.0 beta for use throughout the beta program

Q: What about customers new to Lightroom?
A: Anyone can download the Lightroom 2.0 beta and try it for 30 days

Q: How can new customers try the beta for the entire program?
A: An invitation program  through labs.adobe.com allows Lightroom 1.0 customers to invite friends  to try the beta beyond  the 30 day trial until the beta expiration date

Q: When does the beta expire?
A: August 31, 2008

IMPORTANT NOTES, PLEASE READ

Primary Known Issues

• Lightroom 2.0 beta will not upgrade Lightroom 1.x libraries.  The beta is intended to be used for testing and feedback purposes.  Lightroom 1.x and 2.0 beta libraries will be migrated to the finished version of Lightroom 2.0.
• While data loss is not expected, this is a very early ‘beta’ quality build and you should always work on duplicates of files that are securely backed up. 
• Lightroom 2 beta will not overwrite or interfere with a machine that currently has Lightroom 1.3.1 installed. 
• Develop settings applied in Lightroom 2.0 beta are not guaranteed to transfer correctly to the final version of 2.0.  This is particularly true for localized corrections.
• The new Photoshop integration functionality is only available with Photoshop CS3 (10.0.1) and should only be used for testing purposes.  Metadata associated with the original file may not carry over to the subsequent file saved from Photoshop
• Additional known issues are listed in the release notes.

New Features
Library

• Streamlined Library Layout
• Smart Collections
• Powerful Filter Bar to search and refine images
• Suggested Keywords for simplified keywording
• 10k pixel size limit raised to 30k pixels
• Output-based Collections
  

Multiple Monitors:

• -Four flexible modes for an alternate window:  Grid, Loupe, Compare, Survey
  (Check out the Live Loupe mode!)

Photoshop CS3 Integration: 

• Open files in Photoshop as a Smart Object
• Select multiple images to merge as a Panorama
• Merge multiple exposures into a single Photoshop HDR image
• Load multiple files or virtual copies into Photoshop as separate layers in a single document.

Export Functionality:

• Auto-add exported images to the Lightroom catalog
• Auto Output Sharpening for images on export

Develop Module

• Non-Destructive Localized Correction for dodging and burning specific areas of an image
• Post Crop Vignette
• Basic Panel Keyboard Shortcuts
• Improved Auto Adjustment
• Improved memory handling through 64-bit support on OS X 10.5 and Vista 64-bit.(Not limited to develop module)

Print Module

• Picture Package for multi-page layouts
  
• Print Module output directly to JPEG
  
• Enhanced Print Sharpening based on PhotoKit Sharpener algorithms
• 16-bit Printing for Mac OS X 10.5

Additional Resources

• Lightroom video tutorials by Julieanne Kost:  Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part I and Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part III. (Part II is on the way)
• Lightroom 2 beta preview by Ian Lyons
• Lightroom Tasmania Adventure
• Lightroom 2 beta review by Uwe Steinmueller at OutbackPhoto.com.
• Lightroom 2 beta review for our French-speaking photographers
• Photoshop Cafe provides a feature review and 1 hour training video.

What about Lightroom 1.4?
Trust me, we haven't forgotten about the photographers who are awaiting a replacement to the Lightroom 1.4 update that we released and subsequently pulled from Adobe.com. Lightroom 1.4.1 and Camera Raw 4.4.1 are currently undergoing additional testing before we release them in the first half of April. Thank you for your patience.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (49)

The entire Lightroom team is extremely sorry for any problems we've caused our loyal customers with the March 14th 1.4 update. In our eagerness to get new camera support into customers' hands as promptly as possible, we let some bugs slip past our testing that were frankly unacceptable. Compared to other Adobe applications, we've taken a much more aggressive approach to releasing frequent new versions with new features, but it's clear we need to take a hard look at our release process to make sure that this aggressive approach doesn't sacrifice quality. One thing that we may consider is continuing the community approach we've taken in the past by releasing betas of our updates, so that they can get the broadest testing possible before they are certified as final. The timing for what will need to be a Lightroom 1.4.1 release has not been determined but updated information will be posted to this blog when available. 

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (61)

The Lightroom 1.4 update for Mac and Windows has been temporarily removed from the Adobe.com web site.  Those Lightroom users who have installed Lightroom 1.4 should uninstall the update and install Lightroom 1.3.1.(Mac, Win) until a further update can be provided. For those not in immediate need of the updated camera support available in Camera Raw 4.4 or the DNG 4.4 Converter, it's recommended that you also continue working with the 4.3.1 versions. (Mac, Win)  This decision is based on the following errors that have been discovered with the recent update:

• EXIF Time Stamp Error: There is an error in the EXIF time stamp update technology that causes Lightroom to believe that the files are out of sync with the correct time stamp as displayed in Lightroom. Any ensuing metadata update will attempt to incorrectly modify the EXIF time stamp in the original raw file itself.  This is the only metadata field that Lightroom will write to an original proprietary raw file. This error will not impact the integrity of your image data.  The Camera Raw plug-in also will incorrectly change the EXIF time stamp in files converted by the plug-in.  The information written to the XMP sidecar files or XMP metadata in the converted files will remain correct.
• DNG Conversion Error(Windows Only): With the latest version of the Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4 applications, Adobe has included technology to verify that the image data in a DNG file is unchanged from when it was originally converted to DNG.  Unfortunately, when converting to DNG using Lightroom 1.4 on Windows, the application will write an incorrect verification tag to describe the image data.  When Lightroom attempts to work with those files in the Develop module, the application reads that incorrect tag, believes that there is something wrong with the raw data and will present an error.  Rest assured, there is nothing wrong with the integrity of your image data or metadata.  For those that have already converted their files to DNG using Lightroom 1.4(Windows only) we recommend using the DNG 4.3.1 converter to convert the DNG files you’ve created with Lightroom 1.4.
• Olympus Conversion Error:  There is an error in converting Olympus JPEG files to other formats in Lightroom 1.4 and the Camera Raw 4.4 plug-in. 

To uninstall Lightroom 1.4 please see the instructions per your platform:
Mac: Delete the Lightroom application in the Application folder(Mac) and Delete the following file:  Library/Receipts/Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.pkg
Windows: Choose the Uninstall Lightroom 1.4 menu item from the Windows start menu.  The Add/Remove Program utility on Windows will also achieve the same result. 

To replace the Camera Raw 4.4 plug-in with the 4.3.1 plug-in, follow the manual installation instructions provided on the download page linked above.

I will post additional updates to this blog as we have more information on the timing and scope of the future update.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (111)

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Recent weeks have seen a number of DNG related announcements:

• Casio EX-F1: A 6 megapixel camera that captures 60 full resolution DNG files per second!(John Nack scooped me on this one)
• Pentax K20D and K200D: These new 14.6 and 10.2 megapixel cameras from Pentax can capture directly to the DNG raw format.
• Samsung GX-20:  The new DNG-capable Samsung 14.6 megapixel model is similar to the Pentax K20D but DPreview also looks at how it is different.
• Noritsu Koki has announced their intention to support raw workflows at the photo retail level by utilizing the DNG format. 

For those not familiar with DNG, it's the archival raw format that Adobe created to address the proliferation of proprietary raw formats.  With hundreds of undocumented formats introduced since the advent of raw capture, it's no wonder that the concept of a raw standard has elicited quite a bit of discussion.   Much of the discussion revolves around the topic of file format obsolescence: Will I be able to open my raw files in 50 to 75 years from now?  This is a good question and a valid reason why photographers choose to use the openly documented DNG format but there are other more immediate benefits to using a DNG workflow:

• Lossless compression of the raw data can reduce file size anywhere from 10 to 40% or more.  In a completely unscientific test I converted a small folder of Nikon D300 raw files to DNG and the folder went from 243MB to 125MB!  You could almost double the number of photos stored on a single drive.  I know 'storage is cheap' these days but it's not free!  
• It provides a documented file structure that can support writing metadata back to the file.  (No need for XMP sidecar files)
• You can store an updated preview of the image in the DNG file that accurately represents your latest non-destructive rendering settings.  I think of it as a job jacket for my images.  I have the negative, the processing instructions and a ‘work print’ of how I last processed the image all within a single file.

With all of those benefits it's no surprise that 40% of Lightroom users who aren't shooting with a DNG-native camera have already decided to utilize the Convert To DNG option while importing their photos.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

On behalf of Anita and the rest of the Adobe Documentation team, I’m pleased to announce the new Lightroom community help system, which provides core Adobe documentation for Lightroom as well as links to additional learning content from around the web. The URL for the Lightroom community help system is http://learn.adobe.com/wiki/display/LR/Home.

The new site takes the current online help—LiveDocs—and makes it more useful and interactive. You can still navigate to topics using links the left side of the browser. But now, when you click a topic to read about it, you'll find a Basics panel with Adobe documentation as well as a Learn More panel that offers links to tutorials, white papers, technical articles, and other instructional content.

This site is administered by Adobe, moderated by experts from the community, and developed with the assistance of a panel of Lightroom Learning Advisors. So you'll also find links to the moderators’ and advisors’ favorite Lightroom sites, plus links to troubleshooting sites and a page that lists third-party presets, galleries, and extensions.

We invite you to visit, comment on our documentation, add links to your favorite tutorials and articles, and share your opinions by commenting on the links that others have posted. And feel free to send feedback on the site to us at lightroom-help-feedback@adobe.com.

Posted by Melissa Gaul at 07:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Lightroom and Camera Raw will be updated to 1.3.1 and 4.3.1 respectively within the next week.  These updates provide corrections for issues introduced in the last release as well as additional Lightroom Leopard compatibility.

Camera Raw and DNG Converter 4.3.1 Update
For those experiencing the issues listed below, please update immediately to 4.3.1 using the downloads available here: Mac, Win. The update will be available automatically via the Adobe Update Manager(AUM) within the next week.
-Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.3
-A possible artifact in Camera Raw 4.3 raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected

Lightroom 1.3.1 Update
[UPDATE 12/7 - Downloads now available here: Mac, Win ]
I will post an update when Lightroom 1.3.1 is available for download within the next week. Setting Lightroom's preference to check for updates will provide automatic notification when the update is available. The update will provide corrections for the following issues:
-The Lightroom 1.3 Print Module could previously cause the application to crash on either OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 during template usage.
-On Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1, the import process from a card reader or other device into Lightroom could fail to import all or a portion of the selected images.
-A decrease in Develop slider responsiveness introduced in Lightroom 1.3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom 1.3 Develop module could cause the application to crash if adjustments were made in quick succession.
-Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Lightroom 1.3.
-A possible artifact in raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom FTP Plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK did not function properly if the password was not saved with the selected FTP preset.
-Editing or creating a new FTP preset immediately prior to using the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK would cause the FTP process to fail.
-Using the Export as Previous option did not work with the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK.

Per my earlier post, the Finder in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.5.1 can crash when viewing files that contain Lightroom XMP Snapshot data created in the develop module.  This is an error in how the Finder reads metadata and will require an operating system update to solve. The error can be reduced for additional files going forward by modifying the Lightroom preference to *not* save Develop settings within JPEG, TIFF or PSD files. (Preferences: Catalog Settings: Metadata)

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)

The Lightroom 1.3 release addresses many Leopard OS X 10.5 issues but a few outstanding problems remain or have been discovered.

• Time Machine compatibility still remains unclear at this time.  Running Time Machine backup or restore operations while Lightroom is in use is not recommended until more information can be obtained.  Interim solutions:
• Have Time Machine exclude the directories where Lightroom catalogs are stored and use Lightroom to backup the catalog files
• Run Time Machine when Lightroom is not running.
• There is a bug in the Lightroom 1.3 Print Module that can cause the application to crash on either OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1.  Minimizing the template preview in the upper left corner can help reduce the frequency of this issue.
• The Finder in Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.5.1 can crash when viewing files that contain Lightroom XMP Snapshot data created in the develop module.  This is an error in how the Finder reads metadata and will require an operating system update to solve. (I believe that this occurs more frequently with JPEG or TIFF files)
• Importing directly from a card may not copy all of the image files or may fail. Please copy the images to a local drive using the Finder first if you experience problems.

We will provide an update to address the print module issue but have not set a release date for that update.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 05:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)

The Lightroom 1.3 and Camera Raw 4.3 updates have been posted to the following locations: Lightroom(Mac, Win), Camera Raw(Mac, Win).  The updates include support for the following new camera models:

Canon           EOS 1Ds Mark III
Canon           PowerShot G9
Nikon           D3
Nikon           D300
Olympus       E-3
Olympus       SP-560 UZ
Panasonic     DMC-L10

Lightroom 1.3 also provides improved support for the OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system.  

For me, the most exciting part of this release is that we'll be providing a preview of the Export SDK on Labs.adobe.com.  The Export SDK is a glimpse into what's possible with a workflow SDK. (Think direct export from Lightroom to Flickr/Smugmug/FTPHosts/etc)  I categorize Lightroom's extensibility into two different SDK opportunities: Workflow and Image Processing.  There are expectations around an Image Processing SDK given Photoshop's plug-in history.  But Lightroom will focus on a workflow SDK initially to enable better interoperation between Lightroom and other tools or services before providing the ability to add an image processing plug-in like a lens correction plug-in or noise/grain plug-in. The Lightroom Export SDK preview is the Lightroom product team's first opportunity to engage the developer community. While this preview SDK functionality is limited to the Export dialog, the discussion should be expanded to include any functional area that a developer would like to build upon.

The SDK can be found here:  http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroomsdk/    Join the discussion and tell us what you think.

Don't forget rule #5!

Update 11/17
For those experiencing difficulities reaching the Lightroom download links above, please use the following:
Mac: ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/lightroom/mac/1.x/LTRM_WWEFG_mac_1_3.dmg
Win: ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/lightroom/win/1.x/LTRM_WWEFG_win_1_3.exe

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (45)

As noted in Adobe’s Leopard FAQ the current version of Lightroom 1.2 is not fully compatible with Leopard, Mac OS X 10.5. The good news is that we’ll be releasing an update in mid-November that will address key compatibility issues. In the interim, the following list describes areas where photographers may encounter problems with Lightroom 1.2 on Leopard:

• The Print module may not load
• The Import dialog and other dialogs can “disappear” below Lightroom’s main window.  The dialog can be retrieved by switching to another application and then returning to Lightroom.
• Lightroom’s web module may not provide a visual update after a setting is changed
• The left-side panels in the Develop module may not display properly.  Resizing or closing/opening the panels will correct the issue.
• The interaction between Leopard’s Time Machine and Lightroom’s catalog files is unknown at this time. Running Time Machine backup or restore operations while Lightroom is in use is not recommended until more information can be obtained

Feel free to share your Leopard/Lightroom experiences in this post’s comments section.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (101)

Lightroom 1.2 has support for four languages: English, French, German, and Japanese. With the 1.2 release, English, French, and German are packaged in the same installer. So how do you choose which language Lightroom uses? The answer depends on which operating system you use.

Note: The Japanese release of Lightroom 1.2 uses the same logic as the English, French, and German release, so you can use these same techniques described below with that release.

Windows

On windows, Lightroom bases its language choice off of the "Current Format" selection in the "Regional and Language Options" control panel. Simply select any of the "English", "French" or "German" language options

If your primary language is not French, German or English, Lightroom on Windows will use English.

If you want to select one language in the "Regional and Language Options" control panel, but prefer to use Lightroom in English, this is possible... but it requires that you modify the Lightroom installation. So proceed with caution:

1. Open "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.2" in Windows Explorer.
2. Create a new folder called "Disabled Languages"
3. Open the "Resources" folder.
4. Move "fr" and "de" to the "Disabled Languages" folder.

Now Lightroom will be in English regardless of what language setting you make in the "Regional and Language Options" control panel. To revert this change, move the "fr" and "de" folder back into the Resources folder.

Note: On Windows XP, the control panel is called "Regional and Language Settings" (Microsoft renamed the control panel in Vista).

Macintosh

On a Macintosh computer, you can rank your preferred languages in order by using the International control panel. Drag the language you want to use to the top of the list. Then relaunch Lightroom: The user interface will be presented in that language.

If your primary language is not French, German, or English, Lightroom will scan down the list and use the first language that we support. For example, if your primary language is "Español", but you also speak French, you can set Lightroom to use French by making sure "Français" appears second in the list of Languages in the International control panel.

If you want your operating system to be French or German, but prefer to use Lightroom in English, this is simple:

1. Open the /Applications folder in the Finder
   
2. Select "Adobe Lightroom.app"
   
3. Right click on "Adobe Lightroom.app" and select "Get Info"
   
4. Expand the "Languages" tab
   
5. Uncheck "de" and "fr"

Posted by Andrew Rahn at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

The Lightroom 1.1 update has been posted.  The update links are below as well as the top reasons to update to Lightroom 1.1. 

Lightroom 1.1 Update Downloads:  Mac   Win

• Improved multiple computer workflow with catalog import/export functionality
• Improved noise reduction and sharpening
• Vista Support
• Additional Camera Support (Canon 1D Mk III, Phase One medium format backs and more)

Update Notes:

• I recommend backing up your 1.0 library file(now catalog) before upgrading.
• The Lightroom 1.1 Readme File contains a more detailed list of new features and notes. (Does anyone ever reads these?)
• For those that tried the Lightroom 1.0 trial and did not purchase Lightroom, the 1.1 update resets the clock and provides another opportunity.
• This update will automatically replace your Lightroom 1.0 application (No need to uninstall)
• As with Lightroom 1.0, feedback on Lightroom 1.1 is always appreciated.  Post your comments on the Lightroom user to user forums or submit feature requests through Adobe.com's request form.  I read every submission.
• Not sure if Lightroom is running fast enough for you?  Try the Optimze option in the catalog-specific preferences. (See what great information is already provided in the unread ReadMe?)
  

More information and external resources:

• Stay tuned for updates from Lightroom-News.
• Sean McCormack posted some very nice articles on his Lightroom blog
• Richard Earney has prepared an excellent version 3 of his Lightroom Develop presets on www.inside-lightroom.com
• Victoria Bampton has posted her own list of "What's New"
• Jeffrey Friedl has a summary of the Lightroom udpate as well as an ingenious tool for customizing your metadata panel called Jeffrey's Lightroom Metadata-Viewer Preset Builder

Please let me know if I've missed any resources that you find valuable.

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 09:39 PM | Permalink

Last night we released the Camera Raw 4.1 update that includes support for new sharpening and noise reduction functionality as well as support for 13 additional cameras. I'd like to discuss the timing of Camera Raw and Lightroom updates. One of my goals as product manager of both Camera Raw and Lightroom is to have the camera support update of these two applications coincide as closely as possible. However, many have noticed that the official statement from the Camera Raw 4.1 update is that Lightroom will be updated in the “near future.” Why can’t we be more specific? To be honest, it’s driven by the nature of software development. The camera raw plug-in is a discrete portion of code that has quietly matured and delivered numerous incremental updates over the last three years. So when a Camera Raw and DNG Converter update is ready to be released, customers expect Adobe to deliver the solution in the same timely manner that we’ve always provided. Lightroom on the other hand is a brand new product and the team has taken the opportunity to address a number of critiques on Lightroom 1.0 similar to the way the beta program was managed. Testing and qualifying all those improvements is taking more time than it takes us to get the Camera Raw update tested and out the door. I believe that you’ll find it worth the wait. Not only are all the additional raw processing controls found in Camera Raw 4.1 included in the next Lightroom update but we’ve added a few other features that should further streamline your workflow.
For those just looking for the updated camera support, you can use the free DNG Converter to convert your proprietary raw files to a standard that can be read by Lightroom 1.0 as well as prior versions of Adobe’s Camera Raw plug-in. I realize that for many photographers this extra step may not be a viable solution for their high volume workflow. It’s clearly a workaround until the Lightroom 1.1 update is available, something we’re working hard to provide as soon as possible.
Lets keep the dialog going and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Regards,
Tom Hogarty

Posted by Tom Hogarty at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (49)

Here's another entry i had on my blog in April that might be useful for LR journal subscribers - Barry Young.

---

I have been using Lightroom frequently for about 5 months and thought i knew the product fairly well until i started watching Chris Orwig's Training DVD from Lynda.com.

In the 5.5 hours of play time, I learned a great deal and it's definitely helped me to work my way through LR a lot quicker and more efficiently. Even the basic F5, F6, F7 and F8 show/hide panel commands, that Chris repeats over and over, has the desired effect of planting those shortcuts in memory so you don't forget them.

If you've been using Photoshop for years (as I have), you may be tempted to think you don't need training, but believe me it's worth the time. Lightroom is a completely different beast from Photoshop (and Bridge) and after the training you'll really appreciate the functionality that LR has to offer.

Here is a link for two books that Chris recommends for Lightroom on his website.

NAPP's Photoshop User Magazine also now includes Darkroom, a supplemental magazine which focuses purely on Lightroom features.

Posted by Barry Young at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here's an entry i posted on my blog a few weeks ago, and thought it would be useful in the LR Journal page for those subscribers. -- Barry Young.

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Lightroom has excellent Flash web gallery generation and built-in FTP upload capabilities, but if you use one of the many web services that are out there you may be wondering how to get your photos on the web. Up until last week i was wondering the same thing. Luckily, there is a solution, which came by way of Tom Hogarty, PM for Lightroom.

The solution is to add an uploader executable into the Export Actions folder. Most of the major services (Flickr, Smugmug, etc) have client uploader mechanisms.

I personally use Smugmug and i found a client uploader which worked like a charm. Here's the steps:

1) Place your executable uploader into:

Win: C:\Documents and Settings\yourname\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom\Export Actions

Mac: /[user home]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Export Actions/

NOTE: i created an alias from my original location and pasted into the export actions folder.

2) In LR, select the images you want to upload

3) File > Export Photos

4) Select an existing preset that outputs in to web file sizes (I already had an Export For Web preset that i used previously)

5) In the post processing popup should now be a shortcut to the uploader exe - select it

6) Go back up to the preset popup Save As New Preset - give it a name

7) Now when you click Export it will generate the files and add them to the uploader application ready for upload

Posted by Barry Young at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

If you're in the Boston area, or headed to Boston for Photoshop World next week, take a look at Ruth Knoll's Photoshop Soup2Nuts Pre-Conference Session on Tuesday, April 3rd. This session will start at 1PM with a 2-hour Lightroom Workshop led by yours truly, followed by a panel discussion where you'll get to hear an all-star panel discuss the new arrival of Lightroom v1.0. The panel consists of Andrew Rodney (moderator), Katrin Eismann, Shelly Katz, Thomas Knoll, Jeff Schewe and Mark Hamburg.

In addition to Mr. Knoll and Mr. Hamburg, several key members of the Lightroom team are expected to be present. This worthwhile afternoon will be a great way to kick off your PSW Conference on one of the hottest topics at the show.

Proceeds will honor the memory of Bruce Fraser, through a donation to the non-profit charity of the estate's choice.

Check out the details at:

http://photoshopsoup2nuts.com/

Posted by George Jardine at 07:56 AM | Permalink

On Thursday, March 1st, The entire Lightroom team staged an "online launch party," which was presented as a thank-you celebration for the 10,000+ users who participated in the forums during the year-long public beta.

The party was presented using Adobe Connect technology, and was a first for the new Adobe hosted service with nearly 500 testers from around the world logged in. The 90 minute presentation was given by Lightroom team members from San Jose, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Seattle. VIP customers Jeff Schewe, Seth Resnick, Mikkel Aaland, Derrick Story and members of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals contributed to the photographs, slideshows, videos and demos presented to the testers. Special kudos go to Jennifer Stern and Jeff Schewe for organizing.

Jeff in his Antarctica outfit. Which worked in the Minnesota weather that day.

Teams in San Jose (left) and Minnesota (right) saying "thank you" to the public beta testers.

Posted by George Jardine at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Welcome to the official Adobe Photoshop Lightroom blog! This is the place where you will find all the inside information, tips, techniques, and hidden secrets you need to help you get the most out of Lightroom, made available to you straight from the horse's mouth: the Lightroom team. Once in a while, you may also find links to web photo galleries posted here, as most of the team members are accomplished photographers in their own right. Knowing this crew, there will also be a healthy dose of random, but related posts about all things digital and photographic. But mostly it will just be a place for you to follow the inner thinking of the team, as we work our way toward making Lightroom better and better with each daily build. Thanks for helping us make it great. And please feel free to leave us a comment or suggestion.

Posted by George Jardine at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)