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My struggles with Lightroom

November 5, 2012 by Barb 15 Comments

arizona

When I signed up for Kim’s first ‘Round Trip’ class – the one which started about the first week in September – it was because I was intrigued. I had heard so much about Lightroom – I had to know what the fuss was about. Plus – anything that Kim is so excited about – well, so am I! ;)

However – the first thing I came across was Lightroom’s organization system… aaaccckkkk… it reminded me of Photoshop Elements Organizer which I disliked with a passion. When I upgraded to CS6 I was elated with Bridge-now there’s a system I understand. Good riddance to Organizer.

But, I decided I was going to give it a chance – I began to let Lightroom suck all my new photos into its puzzling and mystifying file structure. Like Kim says ‘Deep Breaths’.

It wasn’t long until I began to falter. I had signed up for too many classes at once and my scrapping duties were taking a toll. I ended up letting Lightroom go. But in the back of my mind I kept thinking ‘I’m quite sure I can do this’. So when Kim announced she was offering a three month extension on the class, I immediately decided to take it.

Fast forward to November… I’ve worked up to Day 5 of the class. Things aren’t going too badly! I have stuck with the organization system. I’m entering keywords. I edited some photos. I took one into Photoshop and then back to Lightroom and then back to Photoshop and then back to Lightroom! Hey, this is cool! Say wha????

I’m getting more enthusiastic. I think it is going to be OK.

Kim is an endless source of inspiration to me. You all know what I’m talkin’ about here, don’t you. I now know that I’m going to get through this class and probably even become a big fan of Lightroom. I still have so much to learn but I’m making progress.

The photo I posted today is a result of LR and PS together. As well as some mad photog skills (he he). I made quite a few adjustments and removed some sun flares that I didn’t like – they vanished like magic using the Spot Removal Tool. Thank you, Kim! Thank you!

I’m not quite sure of the quote – don’t cacti stand still? Oh well, for some reason I thought it worked. Cacti are strong, tough, and resilient. And I would say they don’t give up easily either.

If you’re still reading – thanks to you too!

Font for quote is DJB CONSTANCE BEAUREGARD by Darcy Baldwin (it reminds me of a cactus).

I’m linking up to Texture Tuesday – the ‘anything goes eDition’.

Filed Under: Artful Photography Tagged With: arizona, landscape, lightroom, photoshop

Comments

  1. TexWisGirl says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    i bet this is the same class another blogger pal is taking – just started last week. i’d have a hard time keeping up, i’m afraid.

    Reply
  2. dmurray407 says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I am still working on Week 1 :( I really want to learn LightRoom but I just keep getting sidetracked.

    I love your cactus photo!

    Reply
  3. Deanna says

    November 5, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    Oh I faltered too, I think many must have thus the extension…I need to get back on track and learn LR because I hear nothing but good things. Love your cactus pic. Keep up the great work. PS what is the font you used?? I love it!!

    Reply
  4. karren says

    November 6, 2012 at 3:39 am

    WEll, I guess I am not the only one trying to figure it out! LOL! the organization system is overwhelming. They need a VERY SLOW moving class for the elderly! not that I am THAT old, but I am feeling it. Congrats to you for your progress in LR

    Reply
  5. Roxi -Coppercurls Designs says

    November 6, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    It only gets better and better! keep at it. Nice pic. I guess you are back in the snow by now though, right?

    Reply
  6. Becs says

    November 6, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Beautiful image, love the light. I haven’t taken the lightroom leap yet but I keep reading great things about it and I keep seeing these gorgeous images so maybe I’ll give a try. :)

    Reply
  7. Barbara says

    November 6, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    I think I could have written this post. While some is a little different I did go on to finish but I need to go back from the beginning and start over. Thus why I got the one year extentsion. I use LR but find I still on into PS to do a lot of my processing. What is it they say about teaching and OLD DOG? Your image is wonderul.

    Reply
  8. Gail Dixon (Louisiana Belle) says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Hang in there, Barb! I think you will come to love LR’s organizational structure in time. I know I did. And I love the fact that you can work seamlessly with PS and still retain the original properties of the photo. Glad you’re starting to see the benefits! I have yet to use the keyword system, so maybe I need to take one of Kim’s classes on it.

    Reply
  9. Melinda says

    November 7, 2012 at 1:17 am

    I love the photo (wonderful composition and light) and that great quote! I was in your Round Trip class and LOVE Lightroom- keep at it- it is awesome!

    Reply
  10. Sharon says

    November 7, 2012 at 3:31 am

    Love the cactus photo and your story is interesting. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has to take deep breaths when trying something new!

    Reply
  11. Viv (modifica) says

    November 7, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Barb first of all I love your photograph I love desert and I love cacti and the proverb spot on… I know what you mean about Lightroom but I’m getting there and I love all the little tweaks as well as you say anything Kim likes….

    Reply
  12. Sylvia says

    November 7, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    Beautiful photo, Barb !
    I was curious about Round Trip too, love Kim’s classes, but I must say Lightroom is a lot :-)
    Nice evening,
    Sylvia

    Reply
  13. Currie Silver says

    November 7, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    we are all such lovers of learning and I can see that you have great determination. I’ve done that signing up for too much and then sort of flopping on it all. Now I just poke along at my own little snail’s pace and absorb [marinate, actually] in wonderfuLL posts like yours which remind me that I am enough just as I am and there is nowhere I need hurry off to…

    loved the cactus, although I really don’t love cactus after my years in Arizona. they give me little shivers, yet your capture and digital fiddling make them much more appealing to my eyes!!

    Reply
  14. Marilyn says

    November 8, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Oh what a timely post. Thank you!!! I’ve just started the Round Trip class. I’m totally overwhelmed with the organization part of it — just today I got to the first video in the “Develop” module. I still don’t quite get the organization part, but I’m determined. These cacti are the perfect symbol for steadfastness. Your post has inspired me to stick with it.

    Reply
  15. Marilyn says

    November 8, 2012 at 6:38 am

    I should have added “no pun intended”……

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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