Adobe Lightroom vs Adobe Photoshop

What is the difference between Lightroom and Photoshop?

Adobe Lightroom is an image management program that includes editing features. That means you are able to sort your images, organize your information, and process your images so that they are ready for web publication. It is a platform that allows you to process large image quantities in the shortest possible time.

Adobe Photoshop is an image editor that is pixel-based. That means you have more control over the editing process of your image. You can edit the individual pixels on the image to create the specific results that you want. After the editing has been completed, you can then save the image and export it for publication.

Why Choose Adobe Lightroom?

Lightroom should be your choice if you’re wanting to work with your raw files. Adobe has incorporated the same engine that can be found in their other products, including Photoshop, but with an interface that is much easier to use. That makes simple image adjustments, such as contrast, saturation, or tone very easy to complete.

Lightroom also works hard to make sure your library of images is organized. You can tag images and then search for those tags to find every desired image in your library. Adobe has made it possible for users to edit every image from that search in the same way as well.
At the same time, your workflow becomes more efficient with Lightroom because you can perform raw processing, add keywords, create slideshows, or share your images to your social networks. You can literally open hundreds of images at the same time, apply the same basic edits to them, and then save the entire group of images so that they are ready for publishing.

That saves photographers a lot of time when processing a lot of new images in the same way. It does not provide deep-level editing controls, but does allow for simple errors to be corrected with a minimal time investment.

Why Choose Adobe Photoshop?

Photoshop should be your choice if you need to work in layers. You control the opacity of each layer to create different adjustments to the image so a precise look can be obtained. The actions you wish to take can be recorded in sequence so they can be repeated with one-click convenience on future images. You can also duplicate layers, add specific effects, and much more.

There is a steep learning curve to using Adobe Photoshop, but the composting benefits of this platform are worth the time investment. You can select specific pixels for replacement or adjustment. You can manipulate or combine multiple images. You can even remove elements which distract from the image, stretch the image, or use automatic filling options to create the results you want to see.

Users must generally work with one image at a time, but with the various layers and other controls incorporated onto this platform, it becomes possible to fully edit any image to create a desired look.

What Are the Key Differences Between Lightroom and Photoshop?

• Lightroom is designed to be non-destructive with the image files because the originals are not being edited. Photoshop can be destructive because the original files are edited.
• Lightroom is designed to be a global program that makes whole image adjustments. Photoshop is designed to be a pixel-based editor that allows for specific image control.
• Lightroom is designed to work as an editor for photographs only. Photoshop is designed to work with any type of image on the pixel level.
• Lightroom is designed to be a raw format editor. Photoshop is not a raw file editor and requires you to process your images elsewhere before uploading them into its platform.
• Lightroom is designed to help keep photographs sorted and organized. Photoshop is designed to give users the tools needed to create a better image.
• Lightroom is designed to work with groups of photographs. Photoshop is designed to work with one image at a time.

What Are the Key Similarities Between Lightroom and Photoshop?

• Both platforms are currently available from the Adobe Creative Cloud. You can get Lightroom CC with 1TB of cloud storage for about $10 per month.
• Both platforms are able to manipulate images to improve their overall quality.
• Both platforms are able to import and export edited images.

Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop have some similarities, but they are designed to be two different platforms to provide two specific results. By taking a look at how they are different, it becomes easier to decide which option can best meet current needs.