Lightroom vs Photoshop: Comparison of the Best Photo Editing Programs in 2022

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Lightroom vs Photoshop: Comparison of the Best Photo Editing Programs in 2022 [Audio Version]
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In 2022, you can’t imagine your life without photos. People take photo shots not only to memorialize important moments but also for work. That’s why it is essential to have pictures of high quality. Professionals debate which tool helps to achieve it — Lightroom vs Photoshop. Both are great, and your decision depends on your primary goals. We’ll discuss the differences between Lightroom and Photoshop – it can help you make a decision.

When to Use Lightroom

Lightroom is ideal for all levels of photography. People use it for working with RAW images.

Easy multi-purpose use. You can use this app for changing color balance, tonal curves, shape, level of gradients, and so on. This software makes the revision of photos much more accessible. Besides the essential functions, there are others: setting up keywords, moving numerous images, printing books, and direct picture sharing on social media. Also, photographers appreciate this application for editing raw shots in volume. It saves time for people dealing with weddings, gender parties, and romantic shots.

Photo management. In the battle of Adobe Lightroom vs Photoshop, the first wins because of the ideal storage function. Lightroom helps users not lose their shots. This well-organized photosystem provides fast and straightforward access to all your information. You can make different albums and groups for organization. This application has a structured system of finding pictures by keywords or in a traditional way. It has five easy-to-use modules — library, develop, web, slideshow, and print. It helps to see important characteristics in a chosen module. Additionally, it copies pictures to the catalog and as a backup.

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When to Use Photoshop

If you wonder if Lightroom is the same as Photoshop, we can say a firm “no.” Photoshop is a complex and progressive tool. It helps to edit photos and to design adjustments. The functions of this application vary from background removal to design. It makes Photoshop incomparable to others. Below, you can explore examples that explain what is better, Photoshop or Lightroom.

Layers + picture merging. If you consider which app to buy from the side of merging pictures — Lightroom or Photoshop — the second one is the best choice. With Photoshop, it is possible to use several photos to design an original image. The Auto-Blend Layers function helps to add smooth transitions to your project. For example, you can add or delete a background part, a fragment of the photo, a few letters, or the whole text. Photoshop has nine layers: from the vector shape layer to the adjustment. It’s easy to design a complex picture from as many as ten shots.

Color grading. Photoshop gives a chance to use a diversity of color palettes. For example, users can change the color of a person’s eyes, switch the tone of buttons on a shirt, or add a pattern to a blanket. Also, it allows changing a color photo to sepia or other creative styles. Plus, you can add a color spot on a colorless image. Finally, it will enable adding bright accents to the shoot (for example, colorizing a flower bouquet, blue balloon, heart, sun, umbrella, etc.).

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When Does Using Lightroom and Photoshop Together Leads to Cool Results?

Using Lightroom and Photoshop together is nothing strange. These two programs together can boost your projects to a new level.

Users can work with pictures in Lightroom and then open them in Photoshop. For example, it’s possible to modify shots and remove unwanted fragments. After saving your work in Photoshop, all the projects will be shown in Lightroom (original versions are saved too). To do this, you need to press Right click — Edit in — Photoshop or press control E. Image export occurs as JPEG or TIFF formats. If you want to have access to files in Lightroom from Photoshop, you must press Control+F on Windows or Command+F on macOS.

The second fantastic way of using Lightroom with Photoshop is the incorporation of presets. Firstly, you must make a preset in Lightroom and save it in the Preset panel. Secondly, click the icon with a new preset and choose Open as a Smart Object in Photoshop. It means you keep all adjustments from Lightroom. Then you should open a Camera Raw with a double click and apply new presets. Next, open the photo you need and choose from the presets you have in the panel.

Lightroom vs Photoshop Comparison in Infographic

Check out our infographic with a comparison of two photo editing software.

Infographic Lightroom vs Photoshop Comparison.

So, is Lightroom better than Photoshop? The correct answer is no. But, you can use both of them to achieve great results. If you are a beginner in this sphere, start with Lightroom and then adjust for the advantages of Photoshop to make your work perfect. Don’t be scared to do experiments. Only the trial-and-error method helps you to find the best way.

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Lightroom vs Lightroom Classic vs Photoshop: Did you choose right?

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FAQ

Do photographers use Photoshop or Lightroom?

Professionals can incorporate both programs. Using Photoshop or Lightroom depends on your goals — just simple editing or implementation of unique elements.

How is Lightroom different from Photoshop?

The difference between Lightroom and Photoshop consists in image management and types of editing characteristics. For example, in Lightroom, you can play with changing light and color. Also, it’s possible to use presets. On the other hand, Photoshop offers a higher level of editing. In this application, you can work with layers, transform objects, and combine shots.

Should I learn Photoshop or Lightroom first?

The best option for beginners between Photoshop vs Lightroom is Lightroom. This program is suitable for beginners learning about editing photos. When you reach a high level of masterpiece, you can become competent in Photoshop to advance your images with modern techniques.

Do I need Photoshop if I have Lightroom?

Briefly, if your career covers only photography, then having Photoshop is not necessary. However, if you have a desire to do experiments with pictures, Photoshop will be the right choice.

How much does Adobe Lightroom cost?

Lightroom and Photoshop cost is acceptable for everyone. For example, the payment for Lightroom is US$9.99/mo, and another option is US$20.99/mo. Adobe has a free trial period of seven days and good rates. The cost of Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop is US$19.99/mo.

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