Photography Thailand Forum

[Gregg Spradling]

It looks as thought the Lightroom 4 beta is out and available for download.

Some of the new features are:
•   Bring out detail in highlight and shadows.
•   Create photo books using automatic layouts or select from a variety of page layouts for a custom design.
•   Find, group, and display images by location.
•   Easily organize, view, and edit video clips.
•   Use new local editing tools for white balance, noise reduction, and moiré.
•   Ensure more accurate color in your prints and online images with soft proofing.

I have no idea how they can get details from shadows and highlights; once they are gone, there is no coming back (at least from my experience). It will be interesting to see if it is legit or marketing fluff.

LR is part editing and part database. I would like to see some changes on the database and publication end. I have lost track how many times my Facebook or Flickr plugins just stopped working.
I still have no clue why my flags are removed once I create a collection. (probably user error haha)

[Marc Schultz]

Camera RAW via Photoshop has had a highlight recovery function as well for a couple of years. Adobe has a PDF here which explains in detail how it attempts to recover details in blown out highlight areas:

http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/pdfs/highlight_recovery.pdf

It works well on some pictures to at least restore the highlights from being totally blown.

[Gregg Spradling]

Thanks for the info Marc.

I should have worded that a little better. I can see getting detail back when over exposed, I don't see it being so easy with under exposed shots.

[Marc Schultz]

I think no matter what it depends on the overall dynamic range of the original RAW file. But I imagine whatever algorithm technology they will be using on the shadows it will be similar in methodology to how they get highlights back. Eventually they will probably drop it into Camera RAW as well I assume. 

[David Salmanowitz]

Gregg--

Just flagged some images and put them in a collection and same as you, the flags disappeared. I think what it was is in LR3 flag status if not mistaken is local, now in LR4 it is global and the flags would probably stay. Have not downloaded the beta version of LR4 yet but this would probably allow you to keep the flags.   http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2012/01/lr4betanowavailable.html

[robsloane]

Great. Still getting my head around all the functionality in L3.5

Looking forward to PSCS6

Rob Sloane

[bkkdave]

Agree with Gregg; my FLICKR uploads from Lr are dodgy at best.

[Khun Hans]

Quite frankly and friendly. I don't follow the hype around LR. What else can be done in LR which can not be done in Adobe Bridge with PS CS  and/or Canon DPP
Probably different thinking here for professionals because of easier workflow?

[Gregg Spradling]

Hans, LR is both an editing program and a database. From a database perspective, LR is really good and surpasses Bridge. From a editing perspective, sure you can do everything in PS and Camera RAW and they have more features and stronger tools than in LR. LR just makes it a simpler workflow and far less of a learning curve. DPP is so convoluted to me I never use it. LR will beat DPP for editing by having more features and being a lot easier to use.

[bkkdave]

Now that the Lr4 Beta version is over; what is the consensus opinion about upgrading from Lr3.6 to version 4? I am a licensed user and so far very satisfied with ver: 3.6.
Yes Ver: 4 has the book feature but is it worth the upgrade to those like myself who are not planning to print a book? I would like to hear from those who have been using both versions please.
Thank you for any comments.

[Gregg Spradling]

I think the one thing that impressed me with LR4 is the claim that it can recover more details in the shadows and light areas. Although, I'm not sure if it is quite worth the upgrade for that alone.

[Michael Luthi]

i find it worthwhile, i upgraded
least for the reason that if version 5 comes along with a big jump i need to do it anyway....

[bluecolour]

Hi. I previously using LR 2.5, just installed LR 4 couple days ago, and the main difference I found out was the tethered mode which is quite handy.

[bkkdave]

I upgraded, I like the new 'Medium contrast curve' and Punch (clarity)