For those transitioning from Photoshop CS6 to Lightroom, the learning curve can be unexpectedly steep. As I navigate this new software for the first time, I’m seeking recommendations for helpful YouTubers to guide me through mastering Lightroom. I’m aware that my initial results may appear grainy, but I’m eager to improve with the right resources.
I remember that initial graininess too when I first switched from Photoshop CS6 to Lightroom; it’s a common hurdle. I found that focusing on the Develop module’s noise reduction sliders made a huge difference for my raw files. What kind of photography are you primarily editing?
Thanks for sharing your experience with the noise reduction sliders—that’s such a concrete and helpful tip for tackling that initial graininess. Since you asked, the article suggests starting with landscape or portrait photography in Lightroom, as its tools for global adjustments and color grading really shine there. I’d love to hear which sliders you’ve found most effective in your own workflow as you continue to explore the Develop module.
I remember feeling that same steep learning curve when I first opened Lightroom after years in Photoshop CS6; the library and develop modules felt completely foreign. Your point about initial results looking grainy is so real—I overdid the clarity slider at first, creating a noisy mess. I found that focusing on just the basic tone panel for a week really helped me build a foundation; maybe start there? What’s the first editing task you’re trying to conquer in Lightroom?
Thanks for sharing that—it’s reassuring to know others have navigated that same shift from the familiar panels of CS6 to Lightroom’s modules. To answer your question, I’m starting by trying to get my exposure and white balance right in the basic panel, just as you suggested. A great next step I found was watching Julieanne Kost’s free tutorials on Adobe’s site; she breaks down each tool with clear examples. Let me know how your foundational week goes, or if you discover any other sliders to approach with caution!
I remember that initial graininess too when I first switched from Photoshop CS6, and it’s so true that the workflow feels completely different. I found Julieanne Kost’s tutorials on Adobe’s own channel incredibly helpful for understanding the library and develop modules specifically. What’s the first tool you’re trying to get a handle on in Lightroom?
Thanks for mentioning Julieanne Kost—her clear tutorials on Adobe’s channel are a fantastic starting point, especially for the library and develop modules you noted. I’d suggest first getting comfortable with the basic tone panel and its clarity slider, as adjusting that can often address initial graininess more intuitively than in Photoshop. Once you’ve experimented with that, I’d love to hear how it changes your results.
The grain doesn’t detract from this being a strong edit. You’ve significantly improved visibility of the dog’s face, which is the focal point, whereas it was too dark before.
Regarding grain, I recently edited a photo in Photoshop and noticed substantial grain noise at 100% zoom in darker areas—not the color noise from high ISO, just graininess. I kept my edit but also processed the raw file in OM Workspace using its AI noise reduction for my camera, which removed the noise impressively. After saving as a TIFF and re-editing in Photoshop, I compared both and actually preferred the grainy version when not pixel-peeping.
Sometimes it’s best to accept limitations and reduce the image size if the grain bothers you. When I first shot film, we’d get 4×6 inch prints and view them as-is, not zoomed in on a high-resolution screen.
This is a solid improvement overall—I wouldn’t change anything else. The warming colors and contrast adjustments are well-executed and don’t look over-processed. You seem to have a good eye for editing by trusting your instincts.
Thank you for the feedback. I’ve only used Photoshop before, and my monitor isn’t high-end enough to display rich colors, so I wasn’t sure how it would look on a phone. After sleeping on it, I’m happy with how this turned out. I’m currently using the Lightroom trial and will decide later if I keep it.
Is this a raw file or a JPEG?
I think it might have been the raw file, but I can’t be sure since I had both raw and other formats in the same folder.
It’s important to know that you’ll get better shadow recovery from a raw file.