Lightroom or Bridge

I am relatively new to Photoshop and Lightroom. I purchased Photoshop
CS3 Extended this summer, which included the new version of Bridge. I
have also tried the trial version of Lightroom 2.

Is there any reason to purchase Lightroom when I already have Bridge?
What would be the advantage of Lightroom?

Thanks!

<Premo> wrote in message news:at1cb45d3e0fell7nqpuoftams11orqs1k@4ax.com...
>I am relatively new to Photoshop and Lightroom. I purchased Photoshop
> CS3 Extended this summer, which included the new version of Bridge. I
> have also tried the trial version of Lightroom 2.
>
> Is there any reason to purchase Lightroom when I already have Bridge?
> What would be the advantage of Lightroom?
>
> Thanks!

Well, the simple answer is that Bridge is a file manager, whereas Lightroom
is a database that allows you to make non-destructive adjustments to your
photos. I've never used Bridge much because I think it is a clumsy, useless
program. I use Lightroom all the time and more often than not don't have to
bring my photos into Photoshop at all. I can make any general exposure,
contrast, etc., adjustments to the RAW files in Lightroom. I only go to
Photoshop when I need to mask certain areas or do more artistic work.

I'm not saying you need Lightroom -- that depends on your workflow -- but
the two applications are really nothing like each other.

On Aug 27, 9:10*pm, Premo wrote:
> I am relatively new to Photoshop andLightroom. *I purchased Photoshop
> CS3 Extended this summer, which included the new version of Bridge. *I
> have also tried the trial version ofLightroom2.
>
> Is there any reason to purchaseLightroomwhen I already have Bridge?
> What would be the advantage ofLightroom?
>
> Thanks!

If you are new to photoshop, I'd say you have a long way to go before
you have to decide between these programs. To answer your question,
there is absolutely no reason to purchase Lightroom. Learn Bridge
first. Then you can download and use the trial version of lightroom
(whatever version they are on when you download it). You will be able
to see the differences and determine whether they are important to
you.

As the previous poster said, it depends on your workflow which you
probably don't know yet if you are new to these programs. However,
that is about all the previous poster said that has any value.

Bridge is an excellent program, and a professional program. Lightroom
is, generally, more powerful. I almost bought it myself until I
realized that the things Bridge doesn't do don't matter to me. Unlike
the previous poster suggestion that Bridge is "useless", you can make
a lot of adjustments in Bridge (like all the ones he mentioned, for
example, plus many more).

I would suggest you take a look at postings such as you find on the
Digital Wedding Forum. Wedding photoraphers are often managing
thousands of photos from a shoot, and the more you can do without
opening photoshop, the better. Many of them are delighted with Bridge
and many are sold on Lightroom. But rather than rhetorical conclusory
opinions, they will be able to tell you, from a relevant workflow
perspective, what the differences are. Both are powerful programs and
both have their niches. Since Bridge is free, learn it.

"andyj1011" <andyj1011@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:85e28090-79ab-44c7-9d2d-a125ba732a1d@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Aug 27, 9:10 pm, Premo wrote:
> I am relatively new to Photoshop andLightroom. I purchased Photoshop
> CS3 Extended this summer, which included the new version of Bridge. I
> have also tried the trial version ofLightroom2.
>
> Is there any reason to purchaseLightroomwhen I already have Bridge?
> What would be the advantage ofLightroom?
>
> Thanks!

If you are new to photoshop, I'd say you have a long way to go before
you have to decide between these programs. To answer your question,
there is absolutely no reason to purchase Lightroom. Learn Bridge
first. Then you can download and use the trial version of lightroom
(whatever version they are on when you download it). You will be able
to see the differences and determine whether they are important to
you.

As the previous poster said, it depends on your workflow which you
probably don't know yet if you are new to these programs. However,
that is about all the previous poster said that has any value.

Bridge is an excellent program, and a professional program. Lightroom
is, generally, more powerful. I almost bought it myself until I
realized that the things Bridge doesn't do don't matter to me. Unlike
the previous poster suggestion that Bridge is "useless", you can make
a lot of adjustments in Bridge (like all the ones he mentioned, for
example, plus many more).

I would suggest you take a look at postings such as you find on the
Digital Wedding Forum. Wedding photoraphers are often managing
thousands of photos from a shoot, and the more you can do without
opening photoshop, the better. Many of them are delighted with Bridge
and many are sold on Lightroom. But rather than rhetorical conclusory
opinions, they will be able to tell you, from a relevant workflow
perspective, what the differences are. Both are powerful programs and
both have their niches. Since Bridge is free, learn it.


Rebuttal ... I did not say Bridge was useless. I said I think it is
useless. That is a factual statement of my opinion. If you like it, fine.
If you find it useful, fine. By all means use it. But do not confuse the
two applications. They neither accomplish the same things, nor are they
intended to. One is not a replacement for the other. And do not confuse
the initial poster by suggesting that Bridge even comes close to the editing
capability of Lightroom. It does not. Also, I have to loudly disagree with
the previous poster's statement that "there is absolutely no reason to
purchase Lightroom." That is a ridiculous statement. There are many
reasons to purchase Lightroom, just as there are many reasons to purchase
Photoshop, or to use Bridge. You make some valid points - unfortunately,
your entire post loses credibility when you say something like that. I
completely agree with the statement that "the more you can do without
opening Photoshop, the better." Which is why I use Lightroom. If you
prefer Bridge, then I'm glad the application is available to you.