A Comparison Between Lightroom and Lightroom Classic

Adobe Lightroom offers two distinct versions: Lightroom and Lightroom Classic. Both are powerful tools for managing and editing your photos, but they cater to different workflows and preferences. Let’s delve into the key differences between these two versions:

1. Lightroom Classic:

• Desktop-Oriented:
  • Designed for desktop computers.
• Photo Storage:
  • Stores original files (photos and videos) locally on your computer.
  • Supports multiple hard drives.
  • No cloud storage.
• Import:
  • Imports various file formats (raw, JPEG, PSD, TIF, DNG, HEIF, PNG, and some video formats).
  • Allows applying default camera settings and standard presets during import.
  • Enables renaming photos during import.
• View and Edit:
  • View photos in Grid and Loupe/Detail modes.
  • Zoom in for detailed viewing.
  • No Survey mode.
• Photo Organization:
  • Organizes photos into folders on the hard drive.
  • Creates collections of photos.
  • Allows renaming and deleting photos.
• Metadata Viewing:
  • Displays EXIF/IPTC data.
  • Supports star ratings, flags, and color labels.
  • Adds metadata, including keywords and GPS information.
• Photo Filtering:
  • Customizable sorting order.
  • Filters based on metadata.
  • Saves filter criteria as presets.

2. Lightroom (Cloud Ecosystem):

• Cloud-Based:
  • Operates in the cloud.
• Mobile-Oriented:
  • Designed for mobile devices.
• Photo Storage:
  • Stores original files in the cloud.
  • Allows cloud uploads and on-demand downloads.
• Import:
  • Imports various file formats.
  • Simple interface for adding to collections/albums.
• View and Edit:
  • View photos in Grid and Loupe/Detail modes.
  • Zoom in for detailed viewing.
  • No Survey mode.
• Photo Organization:
  • Organizes photos into collections/albums.
  • Quickly creates collections.
  • No folder-based organization on local hard drives.
• Metadata Viewing:
  • Displays EXIF/IPTC data.
  • Supports star ratings, flags, and color labels.
  • Adds metadata, including keywords and GPS information.
• Photo Filtering:
  • Customizable sorting order and user-defined sequence.

In summary, Lightroom Classic is ideal for desktop-focused workflows with local storage, while Lightroom caters to a cloud-based, cross-platform approach. Choose the version that aligns best with your photography needs! 📸✨