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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/282
114 MacDirectory
REVIEW | PRODUCTIVITY
For amateur and professional
photographers, Lightroom 2 offers
dynamic tools to organize, enhance and
download photographs seamlessly in
slideshows and websites. Lightroom 2
does not provide the detailed functions
present in Adobe Photoshop CS3 and
CS4, yet Lightroom 2 seamlessly
integrates with Photoshop. For this article,
Lightroom 2 easily downloaded and
operated on a Mac G5 and MacBook Pro
computer. Pictures were imported from
Nikon D200, Nikon D1X and Nikon
CoolPix S9 cameras.
Lightroom 2 specializes in importing,
processing, and managing thousands of
digital photographs. For amateur photo-
graphers, Lightroom 2's graphic interface
and photo adjustment tools are easy to
understand and launch. Photos can be
downloaded from camera cards, hard
drives, removable discs or tethered system.
Lightroom 2 offers five different modules
– Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print and
Web. In each module, menus can be
hidden to provide a larger work area. In
Library, photos can be viewed in multiple
displays – either as a grid, single, side-by-
side (compare) or survey workspace. One
advanced feature allows images to be
displayed and edited in one window, while
separate images can be opened in a
second window. With the Lightroom 2
Filter bar, photographs can be organized
and searched by filenames, titles, captions
or keywords. Photographs can also be
selected and sorted by flags, star ratings,
color labels or type of file. Lightroom 2
always retains raw data, while storing edits
on separate files.
Lightroom 2 allows for seamless integra-
tion with Photoshop CS3 and CS4. When
individual or a set of photos are selected,
particular features from Photoshop can be
enabled directly in Lightroom 2. Once
changes are completed in Photoshop,
these edited images can be viewed and
further edited in Lightroom 2 without
having to import the image. One file can
incorporate the total history of photo-
graph adjustments. Adobe reports Light-
room 2 allows editing on JPG, TIFF, PSD and
more than 190 camera raw file formats.
In the Develop module, Lightroom 2 offers
a wide variety of tools to fine-tune indivi-
dual pictures. Added features include
Spot Removal, Graduated Filter and Ad-
justment Brush in addition to the various
enhancement menus (Basic, Tone Curve,
HSL/Curve/Grayscale, Split Toning, Vig-
nettes and Camera Calibration). Pictures
can be quickly zoomed by selecting Fit,
Fill, 1:1 (100%) up to a 11:1 (1100%)
screen. Once enhanced, these dynamic
digital pictures can be displayed in Slide-
show, printed or uploaded onto the Web
to share with clients, family and friends.
In Lightroom 2, the Crop feature
continues to offers a valuable tool in
straightening images, making it easier to
align horizon lines, vertical buildings or
angled snapshots, and highlighting the
rule of thirds. The Print module provides
tools designed to sharpen images, select
Matte or Glossy print, and allow multiple
sizing of images to be printed on one
sheet. In the Web Module, a wide variety
of features enable a person to quickly
design, create, and enhance their own
photo web page. Dynamic web galleries
based on Adobe Flash or HTML can
showcase photos online.
Lightroom 2 is a tool that works well with
amateur photographers, but continues to
have the power and depth to satisfy
professional demands. The standard
presets allow excellent imagery to be
created with minor adjustments. However,
professional features and tools have been
expanded to allow photographers ample
tools to tweak pictures and beyond. And
smooth integration with Photoshop CS3
and CS4 offers advanced pixel-level editing
and retouching. Adobe's Lightroom 2
offers a free 30-day trial download and
online video tutorial. In addition, Adobe
provides online access to alternative
learning resources through the Lightroom
Learning Centers. Lightroom 2 continues
to offer a well-rounded photograph
managing and editing tool for amateurs
and professional photographers.
ADOBE LIGHTROOM 2 > DYNAMIC PHOTOGRAPHY MADE SIMPLE
Product Photoshop Lightroom 2
Made by Adobe