Lightroom

[ClaremontPhoto]

From MacUser UK:

Adobe launches photo-specialist app beta

Adobe has risen to Apple's challenge to its digital imaging hegemony by releasing a photo management application of its own to go head-to-head with Aperture.
Lightroom is based on the work that Adobe has already done to build support for cameras' raw image formats and features a modular, task-based environment.

The software has initially been released as beta for OS X, with Adobe stating that it expects the modules and features to change as feedback comes in. The final version will be available for both the Mac and Windows.

'Today's Lightroom Beta leverages Adobe's renowned digital imaging innovation, in areas such as raw image processing, so that even in beta form photographers will find world class technology that complements Photoshop,' said Shantanu Narayen, president and chief operating officer of Adobe. 'We look forward to the feedback from the photography community as we refine the product over the next few months.'

The Lightroom beta is a free download from Adobe/Macromedia

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Bump.

Is nobody else looking into this?

Seems very like Apple Aperture to me. And it's free.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Mmmm. The free for now bit is a bit worrying. But it's not writing proprietary formats and so locking us in before they charge us for v1.

Adobe doesn't usually do free software except Acrobat Viewer.

 

[vsolanoy]

I started playing with -- it's pretty intuitive. I haven't tried Aperture, so I can't compare. So far, I like it... it just appears to be an easier interface to PS curves for image adjustment.

 

[sockdaddy]

i downloaded Lightroom today. installed it and played with the sample project / files. i do like some of the speed, and the zoom in/out is very good and fast. i plan on importing some common files into Lightroom and Aperture to compare speed, tools, etc. So far i have to say that i like to organizational system of Aperture better so far...

 

[sfb_dot_com]

Sounds like a good deal to me at the moment. also kinda explains why there hasn't yet been a Mac version of Elements 4.0 if Adobe has been throwing it's development effort into this program.

I was playing with Aperture (can't afford it) in the local Apple store here in Birmingham UK, and I have to say on a 30inch cinema display and dual core G5 processors it ran pretty impressively. I'm not sure however that it would be so much fun on my little G4 iMac box. I'll see if I can download the beta later when I'm not at work and will be praying that it does what I need. I've so far not been too impressed with 'digital asset management' programs a la iView Media Pro which promise much, but deliver little - and cost lots. There is of course Aperture which delivers lots, but also costs er lots. As a long time Adobe loyalist, I always think their programs have a 'quality' feel others can't quite emulate. I'm also hoping that if the full version is priced out of my reach there will be a 'lite' version that won't be.