One of the most frequent questions asked by beginner photographers is: which one is better, Photoshop or Lightroom? Which editing software is the right one for me to start learning about image retouching? Short answer: it depends!

While Photoshop enables you to work with different layers and create complex compositions by masking and blending, Lightroom is rather useful for batch editing and file management (this being just one of the many differences). In this article, we’ll highlight some key differences and similarities between two of the most popular image editing tools on the market so you’ll know where to start.

What is Photoshop, and when is it useful?

Photoshopping has become the universal equivalent of photo editing and image retouching. Initially developed by Adobe for basic image editing, its features and functionalities have developed beyond imagination. 

It is today widely used by graphic designers, architects, and photographers worldwide, giving people the power to create anything that their creativity can shape: photo manipulation, graphics development, design, animation, product photography editing, and so on.

Masking and selection tools are just some of the features that make Photoshop so great. For example, you have the flexibility to create layer masks to cut out objects (photoshop removes background).  Lasso tool, Magic Wand, Quick Selection, and Object selection are other beneficial features that enable you to make very accurate masks, even automatically, with the power of AI.

So, if you need to go in-depth with layer selections and background removal, for example, then Photoshop will suit you better. While Lightroom doesn’t have layering capabilities, it does allow you to make some local adjustments, with the adjustment brush Auto mask feature, for example. 

The simple answer to the question “When should I use Photoshop” is “When you can’t use Lightroom editing.” Here’s a list of features that are only available through photoshopping.

• Advanced pixel-level control

• Creating complex compositions

• HRD (While there are some HRD plugins for Lightroom, for blending more images with multiple exposures together, Photoshop is your guy)

• Panoramas

• Advanced healing (beneficial for portrait photography, as it allows you to use the content-aware feature of Photoshop)

What is Lightroom and when to use it?

Lightroom is a photo editing software that includes some of Photoshop’s features. It is a simplified version of Photoshop, enabling modern photography to automate photo editing and save time with presets. Adobe Lightroom covers most of the image editing tools most beginner photographers will need. 

The best part about Lightroom is that it also helps you import and organize your images, offering you a good overview of your files. Another nice aspect of Lightroom is that it’s very flexible, and no edits are ever permanent. If you don’t like the result of your image editing, you can always undo and start again until you get it right, making it a perfect tool for learning. 

Lightroom is the perfect tool to manage your raw files, organize them and do basic photo editings like cropping, adjusting the white balance and exposure, adjusting histogram, tonal curves, black and white conversions, red-eye correction, gradient sharpening, noise reduction, lens profile correction, vibrance, and saturation. If you’re just starting as a photographer, you will be satisfied with its flexibility. Lightroom is also quite intuitive, so your skills will increase very fast.

Bottom line

Overall, both Lightroom and Photoshop are excellent image editing tools used by beginner and professional photographers all across the world. Still, there are some key differences that you need to remember:

• If you need to do advanced photo editing and compositions, you will need Photoshop’s technical tools.

• Lightroom is more useful for keeping your images organized, batch image editing, and basic image retouching.

Now that you have the basic information, the decision is up to you. Which one do you think is the best for your kind of image editing?

Do you want to leave image retouching in the hands of experts?

Get in touch with our team of experienced image editors with background in high-end retouching for luxury brands, product photography, fashion and portrait photography, commercial photography, and so much more.