As much as I love using lightroom....I'm really beginning to hate it! Well, im sure it's just my lack of knowledge so here are my questions...which are not related.

1. Why is it, when I export an image from LR to CS (or anywhere else for that matter) does it duplicate the image in LR? This is driving me insane! Im assuming this is a preference thing but I just can't seem to figure this one out. Is this happening to anyone else?

2. Maybe this one is dumb... but, Im learning. If I were to purchase LR presets to run on my RAW images would it be overkill to then run more actions in CS3? I guess my question is, do you have to make a choice between the two or is it ok/better doing both?

Thanks

1. It's a necessary evil (that LR export SOMETHING to go into Photoshop). Just like Camera Raw has to 'process' tiff or jpeg to work with your RAW file, LR needs to give photoshop a processed file. It is a bit unnerving, and I wish it were more simple than that.

2. LR presets are great. So are Photoshop actions. Just be judicious with them. Settings and actions are like spices in the kitchen...you need just enough salt or pepper. I would say that a tasteful combination is best.

I just export into a folder, and then re open in PS if I need too. I've never noticed anything weird.

First, notice that you aren't EXPORTING to photoshop, you are actually EDITING the image in photoshop. This brings up a few options, but at first when you edit a RAW image from LR in PS, it will create a PSD copy of the file, stack it with the original, and open the copy in photoshop. Once you make your edits, simply save the file and they show up in LR. The copy now becomes your most current version of the image, so if you collapse the stack, only that image will show and upon final conversion/export, just that image can be saved out, and not the other version(s).

Presets? They're fantastic. You can use them for any number of things, but there are a lot of things they can't do over photoshop. I have yet to find a good cross-process action for LR. You can't add textures in LR. It makes sense though, and both of these programs (PS + LR) are made to work TOGETHER. You can do whatever you want... I personally think a healthy balance of LR and PS is a great choice and is not "over doing" it, and this obviously depends greatly on your style and how you want your images to look.

LR is a very powerful tool... you will learn to love it as you become more familiar with it's many features. Keep asking questions, it's the best way to gather information, over experimentation!

Beautifully said! That makes so much sense....thanks!

I guess i never looked close enough to see that the copy became the saved version from CS. If im interpeting that correctly. This learning curve is causing me major headaches and I look forward to the day it all clicks and I can transition from LR to PS seamlessly. I feel like im just clunking along! So it goes with all new things I guess.

Thanks for everyones input...you guys are awesome!

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