Lightroom has cheesed me off; what alternatives?

[creampuff]

This is an Apple Mac question.

I've tried out working with Adobe Lightroom, but it just ain't doing it for me.

The Lightroom-only database file system just is not working for me. I like to use a number of other programs like Nikon View NX, Capture NX and Photoshop to view, edit and delete photos. Lightroom does not keep track of this. I know you can open this programs up from within Lightroom but that is not the way I like to work.

So what other photo management with basic editing software is out there? It seems my old favourite, ACDSee, isn't as up to scratch in the Mac version compared to the PC version. I'm looking for something which works with the standard operating system file system, not it's own database.

[RobDickinson]

Photoshop + bridge

[Colin RedGriff]

Never used it nut Aperture seems a popular alternative

[mojitomax]

You can run aperture in fully managed database mode or referenced mode keeping your file structure.

[LongQ]

Capture One Pro and use sessions rather than Catalogue mode.

Maybe LightZone, which these days is a free Open Source product from www.lightzoneproject.org

[jeevescat]

Try Aperture.

[creampuff]

mojitomax said:

You can run aperture in fully managed database mode or referenced mode keeping your file structure.

Eh? Does this mean I can add/delete files using the operating system or other programs and Lightroom will know about the addition/deletion without me doing anything?

[RobDickinson]

creampuff said:

Eh? Does this mean I can add/delete files using the operating system or other programs and Lightroom will know about the addition/deletion without me doing anything?

Yes that's how I use it

[creampuff]

RobDickinson said:

Yes that's how I use it

Ok I've missed an import bit then.

How do you get Lightroom to not use it's own database and reference back to the operating system?

[RobDickinson]

Sorry not a lightroom expert. I always select leave my files alone option when first running it

[Janesy B]

If you want to edit a file from lightroom elsewhere you need to export it as a DNG first. Lightroom won't actually touch the file, it just creates a small file with the changes saved within.

What do you need to do in Capture NX and Nikon View NX that you can't do in Lightroom?

Edited by Janesy B on Sunday 8th December 23:41

[mojitomax]

creampuff said:

Eh? Does this mean I can add/delete files using the operating system or other programs and Lightroom will know about the addition/deletion without me doing anything?

I don't think so. It just means that if you 'import' an image into aperture it dies not move the image file but puts a link the library saying this is where the image is. If you move that file, then it will break the aperture library.

[creampuff]

Janesy B said:

What do you need to do in Capture NX and Nikon View NX that you can't do in Lightroom?

I don't know, but as I have about 5 years experience with Capture NX and about 1 month experience with Lightroom, I think you can guess which program will be first to head to the trash can out of the two!

[Simpo Two]

Both IMHO!

[Janesy B]

creampuff said:

I don't know, but as I have about 5 years experience with Capture NX and about 1 month experience with Lightroom, I think you can guess which program will be first to head to the trash can out of the two!

Unfortunately sometimes you have to persist rather than changing software every five mins.

[blugnu]

Darktable is excellent, and free.

http://www.darktable.org/install/

[S47]

I agree with your dislikes of lightroom - IMO its a waste of money. My copy lasted a few weeks B4 meeting the bin bottom
I've used Corel Photopaint/Draw for 20years or so and Canon's own [FREE] software since digtal photo era, lightroom is a complete waste of time & money in comparison, it makes simple tasks dificult.
If you've never used any Photomanipulation software then maybe you could get used to it's awkwardness, but why would you want to when all other equivalent software is easier to use?

[darrenw]

blugnu said:

Darktable is excellent, and free.

http://www.darktable.org/install/

I use this too, it's excellent.

[Colin RedGriff]

S47 said:

I agree with your dislikes of lightroom - IMO its a waste of money. My copy lasted a few weeks B4 meeting the bin bottom

Each to their own.

Personally I like Lightroom, I've been using it since version 2. I did struggle with it at first because the concept is so different from a traditional tool like PS or Paintshop where you are working directly on the image rather than a

For me it works as a bulk cataloging and processing tool. I probably do about 90% of my editing with the LR raw engine and only pop into Photoshop for more advanced editing or panorama stitching. If I jump to PS from LR and create a new file in PS it will automatically add it back into the LR catalogue retaining the tags I assigned to the source. I also like the ability to have different snapshots of my processing (eg a colour one and a black and white) without having to create different copies of the file.

[markmullen]

It is a very personal thing, I could never get on with Lightroom, and I know that must be down to me as millions do, but Capture One just works how I expect and want it to.