Cs4 or lightroom

I have really tried to like LightRoom, but I just can't. I don't like the workflow, it's not very intuative, I just can't stand it. I haven't YouTubed a how to video or Googled a manual or anything to try to get some pointers but my point with that is I haven't needed to with the other processing programs I've used.
I'd get CS4.

Just out of curiousity, why is PSE7 not doing it for you. I have PSE7 & 8, CS4 and LR 2. Yes, overkill, I know. But I mainly use PSE8 for simple edits. CS4 was really expensive. You can get LR 2 with upgrade for under $200 now.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #9632968
I have really tried to like LightRoom, but I just can't. I don't like the workflow, it's not very intuative, I just can't stand it. I haven't YouTubed a how to video or Googled a manual or anything to try to get some pointers but my point with that is I haven't needed to with the other processing programs I've used.
I'd get CS4.

I'd like to own a car but I just can't. I haven't had lessons or read any manuals but I didn't need to when I got my tricycle or my skateboard. So I'd recommend to anybody wanting transport to get a bicycle.

^^^^^^^????

hollis_f wrote in post #9633342
I'd like to own a car but I just can't. I haven't had lessons or read any manuals but I didn't need to when I got my tricycle or my skateboard. So I'd recommend to anybody wanting transport to get a bicycle.

Perfect analogy. So by that I'm assuming that lightroom is the car and CS4 is the tricycle?

I use LR2 for most everything and PS elements for my limited pixel level / layers editing needs.

If you need the full $700 PS experience you will know it because you had Elements and needed more.

Both.

John E wrote in post #9632491
Lightroom = Easy & Fun
CS4 = Hard & Endless Learning Curve

Using that analogy anyone that has issues with learning new things should stick with their p&s over a dslr. Photoshop can be an endless learning curve only if you make it that way. You don't need to learn the whole program, only what you need out of it. I find learning to be fun and very gratifying. The status quo is not an option for me.

hollis_f wrote in post #9632531
My recommendation - Lightroom and PSE. Lightroom is great for cataloging and for 99% of what I need to do to a raw file. PSE (or PSP or even Gimp) should be good enough for the remaining 1%.

+1 for me on all points. If I hadn't already bought PSE, I'd download and learn The Gimp and use it for my rare pixel/layer editing needs, and LR would cover the other 99%.

I had PSE 7 to start my learning pping, and before I really knew more than the basics (and not even some of those!) I got LR2. I've had it probably 3 months, and while still learning that jumped on a good opportunity to get CS4 at a price I could afford. I have to say, so far, I am still using LR2 for most of my pping, but I know it's because I am more comfortable with it right now. I have a Deke's One on One CS4 book and DVD I am trying to make my way through, and maybe by the end of it I will be in love with CS4 but so far I agree with the comment that it is hard and a loooong learning curve!

ssim wrote in post #9638036
Using that analogy anyone that has issues with learning new things should stick with their p&s over a dslr. Photoshop can be an endless learning curve only if you make it that way. You don't need to learn the whole program, only what you need out of it. I find learning to be fun and very gratifying. The status quo is not an option for me.

LR2 is much easier than CS4. In LR2, I can batch process a bunch of photos quite quickly, especially with presets. In ACR 5.5 I to go through several tabs to change various functions; in LR2 it's all down one menu on the side. Also, LR2 treats JPEG and RAW the same. in CS4, I have yet to find some of the things I can do in LR2 - such as applying NR and sharpening (not the filter sharpening) - even trying to Google and use help.

Here this was taken directly off of Adobe's web site -

Adobe Photoshop CS4 software is the industry standard in digital image editing. Photoshop holds an important place in the pro photographer's toolbox, for detailed pixel-level editing and compositing, but photographers face a variety of workflow concerns beyond image editing. Lightroom 2 addresses these needs in a photographer-centric way. Each module in Lightroom is dedicated to an essential photographic task — use the Library for importing and managing photos; the Develop module for fundamental photographic adjustments and processing hundreds of photographs at a time; and the Slideshow, Web, and Print modules to easily present photos onscreen, online, or in print. Lightroom also goes further, enabling you to manage raw files, even if they are offline, with automatic importing from the folder on your computer used for tethered shooting.
Lightroom excels at processing large volumes of photographs, creating the perfect negative, and outputting collections to the web, print, and slide shows. Photoshop remains the ultimate pixel-level, individual image-editing, and compositing application. Together, Lightroom and Photoshop are the comprehensive software duo for post-processing and editing of digital imagery.
For example, you may have 2,000 photographs and need to quickly preview, sort and rate them, embed your copyright on each, correct white balance, change tonal and color values, and make monochrome copies (or add a wide array of other special effects). Then, you need to output to a slide show, print, or the web, and all under the pressure of time constraints. For this common type of photographic workflow, Lightroom is the ideal solution.
Now perhaps some of your photographs are destined for an advertising layout. After choosing the best images, you may need to add a special effect to a model's eyes or change the pattern of a dress or pull the model completely away from her background to create an intricate, multilayered composite. For this, Photoshop is the ideal solution.