Difference Between Lightroom and Photoshop - Which is Better?

This debate has been on for a very long time now. In this article, we would be discussing this two software that is built for image editing.

The main aim of this article is to highlight those things that differentiate this two software in terms of quality and performance.

Starting with, let’s consider how long these two have been in use in the photographic sphere.

For several decades now, the name on the lips of every image manipulator or editor is Photoshop. It is fair enough to call it the benchmark for quality and performance.

On the other hand, Lightroom has only been around for less than two decades.

Lightroom Vs. Photoshop

According to various reviews from users, they claim that these two editing instruments are suitable for different purposes. Meaning, each has its unique selling point.

Photoshop is believed to be a better option when it comes to undertaking comprehensive and complicated editing. For local or simple adjustments, Lightroom is considered as a perfect tool.

In the world of photography, both Photoshop and Lightroom have been able to remain relevant over the years to stand out as the best image editing software every photographer can depend on in terms of quality delivery.

Photoshop Overview

This software is every leading photographer software around the world, no matter what level they are in the photography world.

Amongst both amateur and professional photographers, it is known as the premium offering.

Over the years, the use of Photoshop has grown broader and bigger, thanks to the introduction and adaption of both Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Bridge.

When moments are recorded or captured in raw, the very first section of Photoshop that flies through your way is the Camera Raw.

The need for this process is as a result of the limitation placed on Photoshop when it comes to the processing of raw images.

For every raw image data, there is a need for software or two to run such data. In this case, apart from Camera Raw, Lighthouse fits in as the other software that can be used for this process.

Camera Raw is heavily involved when it comes to twisting or changing whatsoever areas of an image.

Its relevance stretches from the correction of white balance to the revision of the lens.

Now, Camera Raw comes with features that used to be for Photoshop alone. Some of these features are the Adobe Magic Healing Brush and the Adjustment layers.

Once the images under review get across the adjustment panel, they open in Photoshop. Now that you have your images in Photoshop, you can now work on them in so ever way it suits you.

Without the use of Adobe Bridge, you are restricted to working on one image at a time.

With Adobe Bridge, you can easily arrange your images in created folders and as well include metadata to those images.

Once your images are placed into folders, search becomes very easy, thanks to the thumbnails.

Pros

Although it is complex, the result it gives makes it an enticing tool. Application of local or simple adjustment is possible with Photoshop, but this tool is more efficient when it is used on big complex photos.
In case you need to get hold of particular objects or areas in an image, the Layers and Masks make such action possible, easy, and smooth.
With the Layers and Masks, you can work on these areas, or change them as the case may be to fit your desired need.
An example of this action is an attempt to change the contrast of your image.
Although Photoshop is mostly used for the complex edits, it allows the use of Camera Raw and Adobe Bridge in case all you needed to get done is local and little edits or adjustments.

Cons

You are restricted to work on an image at a go. It is almost impossible to copy the settings for one image and paste it for another image.
Sometimes, a simple task can be made complicated in Photoshop.

Lightroom Overview

This software is regarded as the younger version of Photoshop by many users.

Amazingly, it is faster than Photoshop. To make use of Lightroom, you don’t have to be a professional, and neither do you need extensive classes of digital engineering, unlike Photoshop.

Lightroom is known to be a top choice software for photo editing. It comes with an already installed processor to handle your raw files.

Operation is very smooth and easy; all you need to do is plug and play. After your images have been imported, you are good to go.

Once your images have been imported, you are permitted to include keywords to every image.

This feature is perfect for easy management of your images as it makes it very easy and quick to locate your photos, especially the Iceland photos.

Lightroom makes your editing work neat and organized. If you can adopt a proper management approach and stay as organized as possible, Lightroom will support and assist you to the best of its ability.

You can easily create folders on Lightroom and as well move images to these folders whenever you feel like.

Apart from the manual addition of images into these folders, Lightroom as well does the automatic addition through a process known as SMART FOLDER PROCESS.

How this works is by searching for images and adding them into the right folder by merely making use of keywords that are attached to each image.

Lightroom is sometimes regarded as the simpler form of Adobe Photoshop when combined with Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw.

Pros

Lightroom can be accessed so easily. With its smooth and easy operation process, every editing task ends in fun.
Although it’s devoid of all the elements of the graphic design, if these elements are not a must-have or compulsory, their absence won’t disturb you.
Lighthouse makes it possible and easy to link your images directly to platforms like Flickr, Facebook, etc. Also, metadata and keywords as well go with these images from time to time.
Brings all of your images together. This makes editing very easy.
Perfect software for fashion and magazine editing jobs. It makes sure those skin spots or imperfections come out complete.
Lightroom comes with a map module. The map module works similarly to the GPS of several advanced cameras. The function of the map module is to identify the specific location where your images are stored.
Coming up with HDR photos is very possible with the new versions of Lightroom. This feature makes it possible to put your photos together and turn them into an amazing panorama.