re: Lightroom, Win XP, v beta3
I removed Lightroom from my system. Tried it. I have no need for it. I’d say I’m a dedicated amateur-enthusiast. Shoot about 300 shots a month depending on weather with Canon 1D Mark II. Print with an Epson 4000.
A) Downloader Pro and clever (auto) directory structure naming self-sorts my files by date and keyword. All I do is put the Compact Flash card in the reader and it happens.... automatically. Downloader Pro auto-starts, copies all files from the card into the properly named directory, example: 2006_07_22_keywords. Downloader Pro also auto renames each file as it copies, thus: YearMonthDayHourMinuteSecond_index = 060722112430_001. Burst files taken in the same second are also handled automatically. Then Downloader Pro auto-closes and starts BreezeBrowser Pro. Downloader Pro is fast, and focused on a single task.. move your files from the card to the computer.
B) BreezeBrowser Pro is all the photo file manager I need. Easy intuitive interface, great for keeper culling, bulk renaming, and bulk RAW convert. And since it uses Canon RAW convert algorithms, it gives me an accurate demosaic with modest adjustment ability. It gets me close without a lot of fuss and anguish. It aint Photoshop, and better, it doesn’t try to be! I use it mostly as a bridge to feed Photoshop files. BreezeBrowser Pro.. can not live without it.
C) Photoshop CS2 is probably more than most photographers need, but once you’re over the hump of the learning curve, it’s a must have application. This is where the work you did in the field is polished to gallery ready prints. Or not.
I use RSP if I want to experiment or fine tweak in the RAW convert process. I think it is/was the best RAW convert application for Canon files. It had a bright future. I’m waiting to see what Adobe does with it.
At this writing Lightroom has the look and feel of an application designed by committee. Clearly not deserving of the collective hype.. yet. But what do I know.
p
ps: I have no commercial interest in ANY Breeze Systems application.