I use LR and C1. Never used the history in LR so don’t miss it in C1. I think it’s got a lot to do with a thought process. I look at am image and decide if it needs something, more or less co trust for example. I do that as I go along. I never go back to a previous state. I simply adjust what needs adjusting.
I feel the same. I used LR since V1 and, although I was used to the history in PS where it plays a vital function, I never found the history in LR of any use at all in a parametric editor. It may have changed now but in LR it used to record "every" action. Thus you eded up with a list of edits like:
Made brush smaller, made brush larger, increased opacity, decreased opacity, adjusted feather etc. You had to sort through all of these "irrelevant" commands to find what you had actually altered. If you are on a brush mask you often alter several parameters increase shadows, pull back highlights, increase exposure etc. Simply more confusing than it was worth (for me) unlike in PS.
I look at a photo whether during a session or sometime later and if there is something I think needs changing then I change it - LR is a parametric editor. Sky too bright? Is there a pin there? If no add a gradient etc.
However, if people find it helps them fine, but for me in C1 I can't see the problem particularly with the layer workflow that C1 is designed around. Now if you are trying to impose a LR workflow on a different editor then that will cause issues. The programs are different.
For global adjustments there aren't that many sliders compared to LR because C1 uses Levels and Curves as major tonal changes much like PS. A click into the colour editor reveals colour changes with a list of the colour pickers shown which can be toggled on/off.
For local adjustments C1 is far better than LR because it uses layers. This makes the organisation of local adjustments very transparent and it is easy to scroll through any layers and be able to see where you have applied changes and again toggle on/off the effect of the layer as well as obviously adjusting the opacity to increase or reduce the overall effect of the adjustments.
Want to adjust the photo to print? There is no need to make a virtual copy as you would do in LR simply add a "print" layer and make the adjustments using the excellent soft proof options in C1, name the layer and you know it is for Ilford Gold Fibre Silk. Want to work on the file later, simply toggle off the "print" layer and off you go:-)
With any software you have to use it as it was designed and if you "fight" that by trying to impose the work flow from another program problems. If you are not using layers with C1 then you are effectively crippling your work flow. Remember virtually all tools work on layers including levels and curves as well as the superb colour editor. Phaseone went the layered work flow and fundamental use of levels and curves like PS. LR was designed to be anything but PS:-) This is why the crop function works the opposite way to PS and every other photo editor I know. Nothing wrong with this it is just different. The point I am making is that each program needs to be used in an optimal manner. You don't have to use C1 in the way its designed but it will make a huge difference if you do.
Ian
