Saturday, May 25, 2013

Lightroom, Photoshop and the Creative Cloud




There’s been lots of lots of hoopla, buzz, excitement, confusion and misinformation about Adobes announcement of the Creative Cloud. In my Lightroom classes, this has been the biggest source of questions and concerns. Basically, Photoshop as we know it going forward is going totally subscription based and you will no longer be able to buy a stand alone boxed version or download a copy of it anymore. You have to subscribe to the Adobe Creative Cloud to get Photoshop CC (Creative Cloud). There a rumors floating about the Adobe may offer a package especially tailored for Photographers that includes Lightroom and Photoshop CC…I’ll keep you posted.  But as it stands now…this is the way it is.


Please note, you’ll still be able to buy Lightroom standalone without subscribing (even though it’s also included in the CC).


First I want to clear up some misconceptions about Creative Cloud that I’ve seen and heard many times over the past couple of weeks. There seems to be confusion over what the ‘cloud’ part of Creative Cloud means. Contrary to what I have read on some posts Adobe’s creative Suite is not a cloud service, but instead a subscription package that allows you to download the applications and install them locally on your computer.
The main difference between Creative Cloud and Creative Suite is that the applications check every 30 to 90 days to see if your subscription is valid – an Internet connection is required for this – and if your subscription is no longer active, the plug is pulled on your software. Otherwise there’s no real difference in how the software works as far as the user is concerned. The Software still needs to be downloaded and installed to work.

With the “cloud” you don’t need a constant internet connection you can be totally offline for 2 or 3 months at a time. You don’t have to store your images in the cloud. Your images can be stored on your system just as they are now. You can keep running older versions alongside the CC versions if you want to. Think of it as “renting” the software.  With the rental fee you don’t have to pay for the upgrades…they download automatically as soon as they are released, and you have the most current version with any new fixes, bells and whistles.
  
LR5 will be included in Creative Cloud, but you won’t have to subscribe to Creative Cloud to get Lightroom. You’ll be able to keep buying it via perpetual (non-subscription) license as we do now.

If you are a photographer and are not using Lightroom, you should…now.  No more fussing and complaining, just do it.  It is the best solution for Photographers, especially with Photoshop/Bridge going to Creative Cloud.

The best and most cost effective solution going forward will be to purchase and stand alone version of Lightroom and either keep using your current version of Photoshop of subscribe to a single app membership for the newest Photoshop for $9.99 per month.

Lightroom was designed by and built for photographers…if you are a photographer Lightroom is for you…period!  I offer many classes, workshops or one on one training in Lightroom if you still need convincing!


If you have downloaded the Lightroom 5 beta and will be using LR5 when the final version is released you will already have many of the new and cool features and upgrades in the upcoming Photoshop CC. The Radial Gradient Filter, Upright Lens Correction Adjustments, Non-destructive Cloning and Healing Brush. Now I have used these new cloning and healing brushes, my trips to Photoshop are even further reduced! Plus you also get Smart Previews along will all the other great features already included in Lightroom 3 and 4!


More information…..



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Havasupai workshop with Arizona Highways Photo Workshops


  
Derek von Briesen and I are heading down to Havasupai to teach a workshop with Arizona Highways Photo Workshops tomorrow. A week in a garden of Eden in the desert, the land of Blue Green waters. Our students are in for a trip of a lifetime and will come home with amazing images and great memories! 






Thursday, May 2, 2013


https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nik-radio-pro-talk-






Nik Radio PRO Talk with
         SUZANNNE MATHIA

Nik Radio delivers a variety of educational programming created to inspire digital photographers of all levels. Sponsored by Nik Software, Nik Radio features digital imaging tips and techniques, highlights the work of popular professional photographers and experts through in-depth Pro Talks, showcases industry events, and shares insights and the stories behind the most popular images of our time. Listen today for unique educational content that will help you achieve your goals behind the camera and on the computer!