Lightroom 3

I just picked up a copy of Lightroom 3 and I am looking for a good (inexpensive) way to learn to use the software to its potential. I have an understanding of the program but would like to get the most out of it as possible. Thanks in advance!

Youtube is a great resource. There are literally hundreds of tutorials on different techniques.

But I think the best way is to just spend a few hours a day playing with different features to see what you get. This is how I learned how to use all of Adobe's products.

Cheers,
~S

http://kelbytv.com …ertips/category​/episodes/

LR3 by Scott Kelby.

You can get it at Amazon for $31.50

Kelby is great for books and online resources, AdobeTv has good resources. Lynda.com has lightroom training tutorials.

And, my strongest suggestion: as you order books and browse the online resources, please devote time to reading the Help. There is not a "Lightroom Users Guide" because the Help was designed to actually cover the bases and it doesn't require a mammoth book like Photoshop does. Help will give you all the facts you need and then the books and tutorials will help a lot in understanding good ways of using the tools.

Lightroom is designed to be "simple" in its interface and how many of its tools work but don't be fooled -- there is a lot to learn to get the most out of it!

Entre, if you are a member of NAAP you can get weekly video tips from Kelbylive.

Have a look at some of these.

Lynda.com's series with Chris Orwig is very good, IMO. He is a bit overenthusiastic, and there are lots of lessons that could have been compressed, but it's good...

Another vote for lynda.com - I'm halfway through and it's been really helpful to learn the library part. Just haven't had time to do the second half which is the editing and more important aspect. Fortunately from Friday I begin a 10 week vacation.

DigitalSpecialist wrote in post #11437223
Entre, if you are a member of NAAP you can get weekly video tips from Kelbylive.

If I could join just one, should I join NAPP or kelbytraining? NAPP is specifically Photoshop, while kelbytraining is more geared towards actually taking photos, right?

Kelby has a really good crash course for Adobe Camera Raw, but I don't know about Lightroom. His ACR vids are great because he just cuts through the crap and lays out some good basic rules of thumb in simple, natural language. It's actually kind of slap-dash, but very effective. If there is something similar for Lightroom it would be good. His company has vids for Photoshop, but another guy does them (not Kelby himself). He is good, too, but lacks that Kelby "here's the bottom line" clarity...

Thanks for all the info everyone! I will check out all the recommended sources.

POTN member Victoria Bampton hosts LightroomQueen.com, which is a good resuorce for Lightroom help. She also authors a Lightroom book labeled "The Missing Manual" that you can locate through her site and through Amazon.com.

I also recommend Kelby Training... Different people learn differently, I prefer his books.

Have you downloaded and installed the latest update to LR3? If you bought a disk, you likely have an earlier version. A lot has changed and many little glitches have been fixed. Seems to me that LR3 was released a little early, before some stuff was fully ironed out.... It just seemed "glitchier" than LR1 and LR2 when they were first released.

amfoto1 wrote in post #11438792
I also recommend Kelby Training... Different people learn differently, I prefer his books.

Have you downloaded and installed the latest update to LR3? If you bought a disk, you likely have an earlier version. A lot has changed and many little glitches have been fixed. Seems to me that LR3 was released a little early, before some stuff was fully ironed out.... It just seemed "glitchier" than LR1 and LR2 when they were first released.

Yes, I bought a disk and downloaded the update quickly after the install.