I'm not feeling it
VeloDramatic Jan 10, 2012 12:00 AMIt's been a while since anything in Adobe's Creative suite got me excited. I upgrade to get compatibility with new hardware or an OS... reluctantly. Lightroom, of course, exists outside the CS framework, and it's been the singular bright light that hasn't failed to please me with each release. As a working sports photographer it IS my workflow.
I watched all the L4 preview stuff from Scott and Michael, and I'm sorry to say I'm a little non plused.
The new Book module really looks well implemented, I create a number of books each year for clients. I would have liked to see two or three vendors represented, but Blurb obviously has done a fair bit of work on their end to make this happen, so full credit to them. Head to head I'd still give MyPublisher the edge in terms of final printed quality (and they have a bigger landscape size). MP however, seems intent on catering to the hobbyist market... admittedly where most of the money is.
I'm sure Maps will make landscape photographers chasing sun and moon down lonely roads happy when it comes time to find that special spot again. Perhaps I'll preview some stages of this year's TDF and use it to mark key vantage points. Might turn out to be the sleeper feature that surprises me.
For such a simple feature, Email Photo will probably save me a fair bit of time when clients request the straggler single image after a major FTP transfer, or someone needs something quickly for a blog post.
Other than that, I was looking for some real UI optimization this time around. There's a gold mine of productivity to be extracted from better support for multiple monitors, and modular customization. Personally I'm frustrated by the separation of the Library and Develop. Quick Develop controls are practically useless, and you can't edit metadata in Develop where I've got to go before I can fully evaluate an image.
I know we all recognize that Lightroom has an awkward family dynamic with Photoshop (the naming is ridiculous), but I don't like the fact we can't get a proper clone tool or healing brush (I didn't miss it did I?) because PS can't stand to let the kid out from under it's shadow. Cloning is really the last function that necessitates a trip to PS with any regularity.
Perhaps I'm just burned out from all the endorphins released by the 1DX (on order) and the D4 (the grass on the other side of the street).
The net for me is I don't see this version saving me any time, that's what I was hoping for. I will upgrade of course, it's just a shame I didn't get anything at the top of MY list. I hope you faired better.



