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Which is superior between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC? A comparison of features and functionality.

Lightroom Classic versus Adobe Lightroom: James Paterson evaluates the superiority of the former

Debating the Merits of Lightroom Classic versus Lightroom CC: Which One Takes the Crown?
Debating the Merits of Lightroom Classic versus Lightroom CC: Which One Takes the Crown?

Which is superior between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC? A comparison of features and functionality.

Adobe's Lightroom suite offers two powerful tools for photographers: Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (CC). While both share many similarities, they cater to different needs in terms of features, storage, and workflow.

Features

Lightroom Classic offers advanced, detailed editing and organizational tools, making it an ideal choice for professional photographers managing large local photo libraries. Features such as fine-grained file renaming, hierarchical keywording, and batch processing provide precise control over your images. On the other hand, Lightroom CC boasts a streamlined, beginner-friendly interface, including AI-powered tools and video editing, but with a focus on simplicity and ease of use.

Storage

Lightroom Classic stores photos locally on your computer or external drives, providing full offline access and the option to use NAS or external storage. Lightroom CC stores original photos in Adobe’s cloud, enabling access and editing across multiple devices, but requiring a reliable internet connection for syncing and offering limited offline availability.

Workflow

Lightroom Classic adopts a desktop-centric workflow with extensive local file management and a catalog system that some find complex but powerful. Syncing between devices is manual and limited. Lightroom CC, on the other hand, adopts a cloud-centric workflow with seamless syncing across desktop, mobile, and tablet, allowing edits on the go with a simpler user experience. However, this comes with risks like conflicting edits if offline changes occur before sync.

Key Differences

In summary, Lightroom Classic is ideal for professional photographers needing precise control, detailed organization, and local file management, while Lightroom CC targets casual users or hobbyists who prioritize ease of use, mobility, and cloud-based access across devices.

Shared Features

Both versions of Lightroom share a range of useful features, such as Develop controls, selective adjustments, tone curve, split toning, HSL controls, black & white tools, presets, profiles, spot removal, flagging, and starring photos for organization.

Additional Features

Lightroom Classic offers additional features such as Merge controls for creating HDRs and panoramas, Range Mask controls for precise local adjustments based on tonal or color values, facial recognition for library searching, and the ability to support dual monitor setups. Lightroom CC, on the other hand, stands out for its intelligent Search bar, which can recognize subjects and types of scenes, even if there are no keywords or tags attached to the images.

Organizing Your Image Library

For organizing an image library, Lightroom Classic is preferred due to its extensive features, while Lightroom CC's Search bar stands out for its intelligence. Both versions allow the creation of groups and categories of images without shifting around files or making copies – Lightroom Classic uses Collections, while Lightroom CC has Albums.

Plans and Pricing

Adobe offers three Lightroom and/or Photoshop plans, with the Photography Plan costing $19.99 a month and including both versions of Lightroom, Photoshop CC, and 1TB of cloud storage.

In conclusion, whether you're a professional photographer, a casual enthusiast, or a smartphone shooter, Adobe's Lightroom suite has a tool to suit your needs. By understanding the key differences between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (CC), you can make an informed decision about which tool best meets your requirements.

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