Tool Summary #
Adobe Lightroom is an image manipulation program that is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Lightroom provides access to basic image editing tools like cropping, sharpening, noise reduction, lens profile corrections, vibrance, and saturation, but is easier to navigate than some other image manipulation tools such as Photoshop.
Quick Facts #
- Price: Part of Adobe Creative Cloud subscription – 7-day free trial, a monthly fee after that. There is a discount for students.
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS & Android
- Recommended For: Beginners
- Where to Access: Adobe Creative Cloud Student Subscription or Adobe Photography Plan. Also available for free on HCC lab computers and AppsAnywhere.
Things to Know #
Photoshop and Lightroom are two very similar software packages. Depending on the type of project you are working on, Lightroom may or may not be the best solution for you. Lightroom is ideal for simple photo editing for raw or untouched photography. Photoshop is better suited for more detailed editing and graphic design. Lightroom is also a photo management tool that allows you to create easily shareable collections of photos. Since Lightroom is a less advanced software for photo editing it is better suited for beginners. Once you feel comfortable in Lightroom, Photoshop should be a breeze.
Besides Lightroom itself, there is also Lightroom Classic (LrC) which is optimized specifically for desktops and uses local storage.
Getting Started Guide #
Lightroom Tutorials – Online tutorials for Adobe Lightroom.
Additional Resources #
AppsAnywhere – A virtual computer lab available to UMW students. Includes Adobe Creative Cloud and many other programs.
Visual Design Accessibility Guide – Check out our tips and resources on how to make your audio projects more accessible.
Free Photo Resources – A list of websites where you can find free photos and graphics to use for your project.
Lightroom User Guide – An online forum dedicated to the use of Adobe Lightroom, includes a set of guides on how to use the tool.
Lightroom Classic Extensions – A list created by Adobe with extensions to further enhance your Lightroom experience. You can install a wide variety of extensions that make it easier to edit photos.
Known issues in Lightroom – This is a list of known issues that can occur with the latest version of Lightroom and how to solve them.
Want More Help? #
- Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help you with your photo editing projects!
- Check out our Getting Started with Photo Editing Guide for some additional tips and tricks and common mistakes.
Updated by Haley Gosman 4/10/24