As an early Christmas present, Adobe has released their third generation of the photo editing and photo management software, Lightroom. And it can be yours for free.

Well, Adobe isn't exactly doing this because of a sudden case of Santa Claus. There is a catch, the software company has released Lightroom 3 in a public beta for anyone to download. Currently, the beta is set to expire on April 30 next year. Still, that's more than four months of the best photo editing software for absolutely free. Not a bad deal!

So, what so great about Lightroom?

Well, everything. I know, Adobe's marketing folks must have a big smile on their faces right now if they read this. But the program really is the best photo software I have come across. Marketing speak aside, it obviously doesn't do everything, but from a photography post process perspective it comes very, very close. For the almost 10,000 shots I take every year, Lightroom is my go-to program for 99% of all post processing.


Input / photo management

Lightroom is build over three modules: library (photo management), develop module (photo editing), and output module (export, print and slideshows).


↑ Overview of Lightroom's library module. Note the video is for Lightroom 2, but no core functions has changed in version 3 (source: tv.adobe.com)

The first thing to notice is that the software functions like a database. Meaning when you import images, the photos are not physically moved. Lightroom simply makes a path to them and saves  the changes you make centrally in a catalogue (default stored separately from your images). It is in the library module you can tag your images, search for images and organize key images into collections for easy access.

Process / photo editing

↑ Overview of Lightroom's development module. Note the video is for Lightroom 2, but no core functions has changed in version 3 (source: tv.adobe.com)

This is where the fun starts. Lightroom is a tremendously powerful, yet quite simple (once you have spent a little time with it) photo editor. All edits are non-destructive with changes being saved in a separate file. Meaning that what every change you make to your photos can always be reverted, and the image brought back to its original state. Another cool feature is virtual copies where Lightroom makes a copy of your image. I use this feature a lot to play around with a more funky, alternative processing after an image is edited. Cool and a very flexible approach.

↓ Edited in Lightroom. A more traditional edit and a black and white conversion of images from the same shooting session. The final look and mood is all up to you.

Instead of exhaustively listing all the edit features, it makes more sense to point to some of the great Adobe TV tutorials , or even better yet for you to download the program and play around with it yourself. Personally, I learned the in and outs by downloading Lightroom and then following along with the tutorials using the program at the same time.

Output / export or print

Lightroom (or any photo edit software for that matter) aside, this is the step a lot of photographers neglect. The images are taken, saved on the computer, lightly edited, and then that's that. Well, not quite. When you think about it, it really is a shame to have all these great shots collect digital dust on the computer not being used. Half the fun of photography is sharing the result with friends and family.

↑ Overview of Lightroom's export module. Note the video is for Lightroom 2, but no core functions has changed in version 3 (source: tv.adobe.com)

Like its library and develop module, Lightroom's export functions are equally powerful. Because the software functions as a database making non-destructive edits, you have to export copies of the processed shots with the edits baked-in in order to use them. When exporting, you can determine the size, quality, file type and output sharpening. Very useful!

The other output functions are print, slideshow and web. Admittedly, I don't use the slideshow and web features very much, but the print function is used quite often. Again a very intuitive setup with control over paper size, frame and border size.

So what are you waiting for, go give yourself an early Christmas present and download Adobe Lightroom. Just be warned that you might get hooked (like me and a lot of other photographers), and then you have to pony up the full price once the beta expires next spring. Sigh!

For the technically interested: Lightroom 3 public beta is available for download for PC and Mac . You need an Adobe account to access the download, but the ID is actually pretty useful for other things Adobe, such as Kuler. The shots in this post were with the Nikon D700 and Nikkor 105mm f2.8 VR micro lens. Taken on a beautiful sunny day with fill light from one flash added by being bounced off a white ceiling.

Seriously though, if you do get hooked on Lightroom and start using the beta extensively for photo edits, remember that the whatever you have done with your shots cannot be transferred to other programs without baking the edits into the shots permanently.

Message Edited by klausboedker on 12-08-2009 12:59 AM