How to set color sample points in LR?

[dwswager]

I'm studiously trying to learn LR and move most of my non-destructive editing from ACR to LR.  However, I've hit a big snag.  I can't seem to find how to drop some color sample points.  Depending on the image and the intent, I generally set a white, black, maybe a midtone or specific color reference points so I can keep track of how other adjustments are manipulating those points.  In ACR and Photoshop it is called the color sampler tool.  Is there a similar tool in LR?

[digitaldog]

The bad news is, you can't. I hate this limitation too.

[dwswager]

The bad news is, you can't. I hate this limitation too.

Ouch!  Picture me with the "stunned mullet" look.  Color samples have been part of digital image editing since digital image editing.  Not sure when ACR got them, hmm.

[digitaldog]

Not sure when ACR got them, hmm.

I think from day one. I do know, ACR had more sampler point's than it's host, Photoshop for awhile. Now they are on parity.

[dwswager]

I think from day one. I do know, ACR had more sampler point's than it's host, Photoshop for awhile. Now they are on parity.

Any workaround or workflow changes you might suggest considering this significant limitation?  For example, most of my personal stuff is for print and I always try to keep the darkest and lightest areas within reach of my printer.

[digitaldog]

Any workaround or workflow changes you might suggest considering this significant limitation?  For example, most of my personal stuff is for print and I always try to keep the darkest and lightest areas within reach of my printer.

A pad of paper and a pen... 

[dwswager]

A pad of paper and a pen... 

The other missing capability is dual monitor support...allowing the image on one screen and the tools on another.  Of course, ACR doesn't let you do that either.  But I keep expecting ACR to be absorbed into PS and accessed as another set of pallets at some point.

BTW, for those that work LR on a laptop, I salute you!  How you work on those small screens I can't even fathom.

[rdonson]

Lr supports dual monitors.  I use it all the time.  It may not be as robust as I'd like but it is useful for me. 

For the record I use Lr on a dual monitor iMac and on my 15" rMBP when I travel. 

On the rMBP I also use Duet so that my iPad Air 2 acts as a second albeit small monitor where I can put things like PS palettes.  Where there's will there's a way.

[dwswager]

Lr supports dual monitors.  I use it all the time.  It may not be as robust as I'd like but it is useful for me. 

How does one put the image on one monitor and the tools on another in the current CC version of LR?  That would be most helpful.

[john beardsworth]

How does one put the image on one monitor and the tools on another in the current CC version of LR?  That would be most helpful.

You can't. Lightroom has dual monitor support, just not your definition of it.

[rdonson]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKsxtUUb39I

[dwswager]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKsxtUUb39I

Haven't tried it yet, but that seems like what I'm looking for.  Just want to be able to edit an image full screen.

[adias]

The other thing Lr misses is an image color picker, unless I miss something. There are several instances where a color can be selected in a color palette (e.g., Develop Module Local Controls, Slideshow, etc.) but it would be great to allow the picker select a given pixel color. Is that feature available and I just do not know about it?

[JRSmit]

Any workaround or workflow changes you might suggest considering this significant limitation?  For example, most of my personal stuff is for print and I always try to keep the darkest and lightest areas within reach of my printer.

Can you explain a bit how you keep the lightest and darkest areas within reach of your printer?

[john beardsworth]

The other thing Lr misses is an image color picker, unless I miss something. There are several instances where a color can be selected in a color palette (e.g., Develop Module Local Controls, Slideshow, etc.) but it would be great to allow the picker select a given pixel color. Is that feature available and I just do not know about it?

It's been there since version 1. See http://blogs.adobe.com/jkost/2015/11/selecting-a-color-from-an-image-in-lightroom.html

[eliedinur]

The other thing Lr misses is an image color picker, unless I miss something. There are several instances where a color can be selected in a color palette (e.g., Develop Module Local Controls, Slideshow, etc.) but it would be great to allow the picker select a given pixel color. Is that feature available and I just do not know about it?

Alternatively, and functioning somewhat differently, there is the TAT (Targeted Adjustment Tool) in the HSL panel.

[dwswager]

Can you explain a bit how you keep the lightest and darkest areas within reach of your printer?

In either ACR or Photoshop, I drop color sample points are what are the brightest and darkest portions of the image in which I would like at least some detail.  Otherwise, you get a specular highlight or total shadow.  Then when I do my adjustments, I monitor how the adjustments affect these areas and depending, my have to go back and tweak the blacks and whites.  As to what numbers to use for these two points it really depends on the printer.  Some people recommend 5 and 252.  Others are as narrow as 12 and 242.  It really depends.  I usually use 8 and 248, but it depends on the output medium.  And remember, it is what you want some detail in.  There may be areas that you want to go full white or black!

[digitaldog]

In either ACR or Photoshop, I drop color sample points are what are the brightest and darkest portions of the image in which I would like at least some detail.

Try alt/option dragging on a number of 'exposure' controls to see the clipping overlay. I know, it's not as good as having sampling points but at least you can see and control visually what's going to actually clip, then back off a tad?

[dwswager]

It's been there since version 1. See http://blogs.adobe.com/jkost/2015/11/selecting-a-color-from-an-image-in-lightroom.html

No. I used the wrong term.  I should have said "Color Sample Tool" rather than "Color Picker".  You use the picker to set the samples.  What Lightroom lacks is the ability to set a sample point in a specific location of an image so that you can monitor the RGB values at that specific location while adjustments are made.

For example, it is common knowledge that for skin tones:

Red > Green > Blue
Red - Green > Green - Blue (But not more than 2x)
Light skin has higher Red values than normal
Dark skin has lower Blue values than normal

While you can always hover over a point an take a reading at a given time, it is very handy to drop a sample point and keep tabs on it.  Highlights, shadows and midtone points are helpful too.

[dwswager]

Try alt/option dragging on a number of 'exposure' controls to see the clipping overlay. I know, it's not as good as having sampling points but at least you can see and control visually what's going to actually clip, then back off a tad?

I do that or just click on the clipping display and leave it on so it shows the red and blue clipping in normal mode.

BTW, the 2 monitor thing is a big advantage over ACR.  That feature alone, might get me to move from ACR to Lightroom full time.  I struggle sometimes with overall contrast adjustments and it really helps not having to zoom back and forth as much or seeing a larger representation as I'm making adjustments.  I'm the definition of human failing to see the absolute versus being pretty good at seeing differences in a comparative.

BTW, I highly recommend some of the training videos.  They can be tedious and somewhat redundant, but you usually gleen a few nuggets.  I just wish there would be a clearer delineation between those that show you how to use the software and those that show you how to judge and correct image problems.  Most usually devolve into a "this is where the slider is and you move it back and forth" drill...DUH!