You are a bloody genius...It works like a champ.

Researching the Photomatix Plug in...I think you are onto something!

Hold on...still working on this...digging deeper.
RW

Have you tried the Photomatix Lightroom Plug in

LR3 will not let me choose Photomatix 3.1.1...???

I will implement your suggestion right now...I just ordered a book off Amazon. This is the best Forum I have ever participated in. I don't feel so alone anymore. Thank you.

Randy

I dont use Photomatix

But try the following
under Preferences, look at External editing,
look at additional external editor

then add Photomatix
then set your preference

to use Photomatix from LR
under the Photo tab go to "Edit in" then chose Photomatix

when you have finished in Photomatix

you should be able to save in LR

there is NO "save as" In LR you need to go to the File tab and export

LR is not intuitive

watch Matt K's lessons at Kelby , or by a book

LR is completely different to CS5 it does a different job and works in a different way

Hey Guys...I'm the Newcomer who started this thread. I decided to really up my game and take your recommendations. I upgraded to Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 3...and I have Photomatix 3 for HDR. I find Lightroom 3 to be unbelievabely un-intuitive and needlessly complex. I thought knowing Photoshop would give me a leg up...wrong. Took me two days to get my feet under me. Two burning questionsa remain that may have been answered in this thread already, but they are...When I take images ftom LR3 and put them in Photomatix and make an HDR image, I save it as a jpeg and stick it in the same folder I got it from. Why can I NOT then view it in LR3...I have tried EVERYTHING with no success. All I can see in LR3 is RAW...DNG. Edit Preferences be damned. Second...when I finish editing a picture, why isn't there a SAVE button somewhere? Please help me before my brain explodes.

Skinty,

OK, cards on the table. I use a Mac. I tried the trial versions of LR and Aperture and opted for Aperture. But there is little difference in their capabilities.

I've recently retired from working in IT so, inevitably, my PC skills are above average, but PCs were never my specialist area.

Our company policy (both internal and for clients) was to have a small C partition (for programs and system files) and a large D partition (for data). That way you back up D regularly and forget about C. All very sensible, logical and correct, but somehow it just "feels right" to have your data alongside your programs on C!

As far as I know, when you install LR it will ask you where you want your catalogue, back-up catalogue and back-up RAW files (if you do choose to use that option) during installation, but sevencrossing will know better than me.

Your back-up strategy is fine. Mac's have a clever, built-in wireless back-up (to a USB HDD in the cupboard under the stairs) but I also have a USB HDD in my daughter's sock drawer in her flat! Just make sure you do it regularly. I never delete images from the camera's memory card until I know there's a copy in my daughter's sock drawer.

Someone on this forum recently said -
LR (and Aperture) is for Photographers, CS is for Graphic Designers
which I think sums it up nicely. Your call. Personally, I have Photoshop Elements installed but very rarely use it.

And do take note of sevencrossing's warning to understand (and test) your back-ups. Losing your photos is devastating. Using a flawed back-up strategy and then losing your photos doesn't bear thinking about!

3Gb should be OK

LR needs to "know" were the catalogue is, the catalogue needed to "know" were the RAW files are. eg they are "linked" together

It is important to understand who LR works

Look it up BERORE you have crash

It is all explained in Matt K' videos and books

LR will work fine on a lap top but if are going to do a lot of editing, put a powerful desk top on your wish list . I bought a very powerful reconditioned Dell with 12 GB ram on e bay for a third new price

Anaxagoras said:
LR program on C (without doubt) ***Is there a difference with the computer reading from D as opposed to C?***

LR catalogue on C (but OK on D) ***Does it ask me to make this choice when installing?***

Put LR's backup catalogue on LaCie (since it has ample space) ***Same question as the last***

Presumably you have some means of backing-up your LaCie and C/D drives - just continue to do the same. ***I have one of those small pocket sized USB powered HDD, a 1TB one. I back up on to this every now and then, and then give it to my parents to look after so I have an "off site" copy of my work. Might be a bit old fashioned but seems to work for me***

Uninstall Capture NX2 when you've settled into LR ***LOL, I haven't even received my copy of NX2 yet!!! Buyers remorse or what :-)***

Keep CS4 unless you're desperate for disc space ***Knowing what you do about my editing skills, am I likely to need to use it for some time? Will learning my way around LR make this more likely? I'm guessing it's a pretty big program, and taking it off will free up some much needed HD space?***

sevencrossing said:
Beware with a PC laptop and only 4 gig of RAM avoid having CS4 and LR4 open at the same time, even with a fan base

Ahh, I've just looked........and I only have 3GB Ram! The other specs are Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 @ 2GHz. Is this going to be enough? Please don't recommend a new PC, I'd love a 27" iMac, but that's not on the cards right now.

sevencrossing said:
Do you have a reason for partitioning the HD ? ***No, just how it came, it's always seemed daft to me that it isn's 20%/80% or 70/30?

finally when it all up and running, check you can restore and link your back up catalog to your back up RAW files ***I understand the restore bit, but not link suggestion***

Beware with a PC laptop and only 4 gig of RAM avoid having CS4 and LR4 open at the same time, even with a fan base

SkintBrit said:
Your recommendations on how to install and configure LR4? Also should I now uninstall View NX / CS4 extended (and the bits that came with it such a bridge etc) or might they still be useful to me? I guess you all think I should just bin/re-sell capture NX2?

I'm sure you'll be very happy with your £100-worth!

I'm with sevencrossing:

RAW images where they already are (eSata should be plenty fast enough)
LR program on C (without doubt)
LR catalogue on C (but OK on D)
Put LR's backup catalogue on LaCie (since it has ample space)
Presumably you have some means of backing-up your LaCie and C/D drives - just continue to do the same.
Uninstall ViewNX.
Uninstall Capture NX2 when you've settled into LR
Keep CS4 unless you're desperate for disc space

Think it through, allowing for growth, before you set it up. In Aperture, and I expect LR will be the same, changing locations after you've set it up is possible but can be tricky (and could cause a lot of worry!)

Skinty: Check your PM's.

SkintBrit said:
how do I configure my system? I have a Vista laptop connected to my Dell U2711 screen, my HD has a 50/50 partition C/D. Each partition is roughly 100GB, with C being about 2/3 full, and D being only 1/4.

Do you have a reason for partitioning the HD ?

the first thing I would do, is to try and free up some space on your HD

Personally I would put both the Program and the Catalogue on the internal drive
then keep the RAW files on the Lacie connected to the laptop via eSata

LR allows you to make a second, back up copy, of your RAW files on import, so do look at another external for this

lightroom will prompt you to back up the catalogue on exit, but beware the default location for the back up will you your C drive

If you dont have one already, consider a fan base, a lap top running LR and and external monitor might be a tad warm

finally when it all up and running, check you can restore and link your back up catalog to your back up RAW files

That would be excellent if you really don't mind?! As I said it's on back order at the moment, but when it arrives I'll be sure to send you a PM :-)
Will it qualify as the first NRF meet?

Skinty - you should have said! I'm about 45 minutes from you and I have LR4. I would have been happy to show you around it.

The offer is there if you want to take me up on it.

Thank you again for all your replies, you'll be pleased to hear they haven't been in vain, as I've just ordered a copy from amazon for £100. They are out of stock at the moment but as sevencrossing said, seem to be the cheapest of the big sellers at the moment. Although I'm really not looking forward to sitting in front of my screen for hours trying to learn it all (I have taken note of all the tutorial sites you have mentioned), there is a strange sense of satisfaction in having finally made myself confront one of my photographic fears! For a long time now I have known that I needed to make steps to learn the "black art" of photo manipulation, but have always been put off by the vast array of options and opinions held by the various proponents. All of you (even if you use other programs as well) have said that you think LR is a cool piece of software, so it's your recommendations that have pushed me in that direction, so thank you all!

OK, now that the software is ordered, finally how do I configure my system? I have a Vista laptop connected to my Dell U2711 screen, my HD has a 50/50 partition C/D. Each partition is roughly 100GB, with C being about 2/3 full, and D being only 1/4. Except when actually working on a new batch of shots ( don't laugh........in view NX), I don't store my work in the laptop itself, instead I have a Lacie 1TB raid drive (2x1TB) connected to the laptop via eSata. At the moment I have only used about 15% of it's space. Your recommendations on how to install and configure LR4? Also should I now uninstall View NX / CS4 extended (and the bits that came with it such a bridge etc) or might they still be useful to me? I guess you all think I should just bin/re-sell capture NX2?

A friend of mine needed a new external drive and couldn't find a FireWire version of a LaCie rugged anywhere, so he went with a USB 2.0. He hasn't encountered any slowdown when working in Lightroom from that drive.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. We were both very surprised!

He uses a Canon 7D so files are 18 mp RAW.

rburgett said:
however keeping your catalog on an external IS recommended for a number of reasons.

Another source of info is Lightroom FAQ by Lightroom Queen

Just beware, keeping your catalog on an external MAY slow down editing, particularly if you use the brush tool

sevencrossing said:
That is not recommended, both the program and the Data base ( catalogue) should be on your main "C" drive

to reduce hard dive space, keep the preview thumb nails small and change the default back up from your C drive to an extenal

but your RAW files can be on an external, a network or even in "the cloud"

Installing your program on an external hard drive probably isn't a good idea, however keeping your catalog on an external IS recommended for a number of reasons. Adobe even suggest it: http://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/catalog-faq-lightroom.html#main_How_can_I_use_my_catalog_on_multiple_computers__such_as_a_laptop_and_a_desktop_

I recommend that if you have access to iTunes, you should check out a podcast called Lightroom Killer Tips. It's done by Matt Kloskowski, who is one of the "Photoshop Guys" over at Kelby Media Group. You can also check out the website at http://lightroomkillertips.com/

Lightroom is just a digital version of a darkroom. If your developed your own photographs in the darkroom, you had to learn to use the equipment. It's the same here, and I think that you'll find it well worth the effort.

You can check out a few videos here as well: http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom4

SkintBrit said:
T...I'm unsure about the license issue is that on eBay UK there is a seller offering the program with the words "commercial license" in the description...

+1 on lightroom, -10 on NX2 as it adds an unnecessary step in my workflow. It can be useful at times but LR is 1000000000 times better - IMO.

Commercial license is just the "standard" licence. Student versions can not be upgraded, commercial can. That is the only difference. For as cheap as it is, just go with the Commercial.

I think you got how it works. I just think of it as placing a photo on a mat, then overlaying clear plastic and drawing on that plastic. Lightroom stores the plastic, and overlays (like a layer) onto the photo. Instead of "Save" you export your edited copy with settings for it's end use (internet, FB, here, etc), and store that somewhere else (at least I do). Once you are done with those, you can toss them as everything is saved in LR.

Space...well, yes it can get big. External drives work if you are using a eSata, fire-wire, or thunderbolt connection. Network drive (what I use) is ok but is slow to load. USB 2.0 is really slow.

To give you a reference point - I have an older computer with a 500gb drive. My main photos and Catalog are on that drive and with about 80k of photos, it is 1/2 full and I have tons of software on it as well. My photos that I use for internet postings (exported from LR) total 3,500 files = 4.0 GB. I keep them in a desktop folder (as they are not originals) and can delete them anytime.

I have moved all my music, personal files, movies, and anything else large onto a Network drive (or usb) as those do not need the speed that LR does. Really old photos, and archive photos go on the drive as well. That cleaned my drive off for LR and my Photos. I will need a new computer soon though. Ideally a internal 1tb drive for photo storage and a Solid State Drive (SSD) for the program and catalog would be ideal.

My catalogue file is 17.5 GB

for over 40,000 (1.5 TB) of photographs

when I last looked amazon seem the cheapest genuine copy of LR4

You must have been typing at the same time as me sevencrossing, OK, if you're right that brings me back to my original reservation, namely that from what everyone has said, the database (catalogue) is pretty HD hungry? Any reason it shouldn't be run on my "D" partition? That's only 1/4 full (87GB free).

Thanks mirtos, the reason I'm unsure about the license issue is that on eBay UK there is a seller offering the program with the words "commercial license" in the description. It is about £30 more than I can buy it for elsewhere, so presumed there must be more that one version (I know that student editions are not supposed to be used professionally). Maybe that seller is just dearer for no reason, but I want to stay correctly licensed so thought I'd ask. If I can definitely load the program and run it on an external drive I'll give it a go.