What is better, Lightroom or PSE?

I am new! I want to learn. You all probably have experience with both or any other software out there. If you were to pick one, which one? What is the main difference between LR and PSE? Are they meant for different types of processing? Thanks!

I do 90% of my editing in LR but the biggest thing I use LR for is managing my files. I do not believe PSE has this built in.

I wouldn't call lightroom an editor , it's more of a organizer/raw processor.

Once you use Photoshop you'll understand why.

maverick75 wrote in post #17564287
I wouldn't call lightroom an editor , it's more of a organizer/raw processor.

Once you use Photoshop you'll understand why.

This is very true, but depending on what you shoot and the level or editing you need to do LR might be able to do all the editing you need

Lightroom is increasingly useful in making certain adjustments and fixes to images, but once youve experienced the power of layers In photoshop lightroom is less satisfying.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17564305
Lightroom is increasingly useful in making certain adjustments and fixes to images, but once youve experienced the power of layers In photoshop lightroom is less satisfying.

Does PSE have layers?

Can you do layers in LR?
How exactly does it help to "manage" files?

I started with PSE and later moved to Lightroom. The best thing that PSE will give you is layers. It's got most of the tools of PS, but unfortunately it is stripped down. For instance, it's all 8-bit. It's a cheap way to get your feet wet if you enjoy composites and post-processing. Lightroom on the other hand only has a very basic "idea" of layers, but it does work extremely well for basic photo edits. Also, everything you do is based on the original raw file so you're not losing any information in conversions. I'd recommend watching a few youtube videos on each so you can decide which one suits you best.

My personal recommendation would be for Lightroom.

Tatiana99 wrote in post #17564321
Can you do layers in LR?
How exactly does it help to "manage" files?

LR does not have the ability to use layers.

LR is designed for managing files with a RAW editor built in. Hit up Youtube and watch a couple LR for beginner videos and it will all be clear.

Personally I would pick LR over PSE but I shoot a ton of images so being organized is #1 priority. How many images a month do you make?

They're different tools. You can't really make a comparison.

I prefer Lightroom, complemented with occasional exporting into Photoshop for retouching.

Not every photo needs an extended edit with the tools that are available in Photoshop but not Lightroom.

Littlejon Dsgn wrote in post #17564315
Does PSE have layers?

Yes. There ar e fewer adjustments but its pretty capable. I have to admit little expertise with PSE, I helped a friend learn the basics using it.

Got it. Thanks guys! I thought they were similar editing tools. I'll check out Youtube. I have PSE10, I'm learning very basics of it. I was wondering if by getting LR I will duplicate. I have tons of pictures that I can't seem to find a good way to organize. I'll give LR a try!

I use LR for all my photo editing. Why not? It can darken and lighten images, crop, straighten horizons, dodge and burn, fix white balance, enhance colors or turn them into B/W, clone out spots, darken skies and vignette, correct lens aberrations and camera ideosyncracies, and more.

I don't use LR's organizing capabilities very much. Maybe that will come one day, or maybe not. Currently I do renaming of pic file names and folder names, and a simple Windows search quickly locates what I want. And with this system, I'm independent of LR and will do just fine if LR disappears one day in the future or if a better alternative comes along.

I use LR for all of my photos, plus GIMP (free) for a small percentage, for layers and more detailed editing. It's got a lot of the tools PS has, but probably not as user friendly.

The big difference between PSE and Lightroom is Lightroom allows you to work on all your images at once without having to load and save each and every image. If all your images need some of the same adjustments, you can adjust one image and then select all the other images and sync the setting to all the photos.

This is most useful for things such as Noise Reduction and White Balance and simple exposure levels and such. If you want to quickly edit a lot of photos, there is no contest between the two, Lightroom hands down is the right choice. But, if you are interested in editing two or three photos Elements gives you more editing options.

By far, the best choice is to use both. Just use Lightroom for 90 percent of your work, and use Elements or CS6 or CC for when you need to go beyond the abilities of Lightroom.