[pov] Re: Lightroom 4 Beta released

  • From: Michael Elenko <michael.elenko@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: pov@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:24:01 -0800

So I played around with the new Lightroom 4 beta and am a happy camper. Being a 
beta, it runs on the slow side as I would guess they will still optimize code 
and all that technical stuff.  Going from version 3 to v. 4 should be fairly 
easy, but you have to unlearn a few sequences. For new users, using LR 4 will 
be a bit easier. With older versions it was OK to not follow the top-to-bottom 
sequence of controls and adjustments in order; now it is recommended.

Good things: Clarity is even better with few chances of halos; the noise 
reduction and sharpening seem even more improved beyond anything Photoshop can 
do, truly excellent. White balance is more accurate as you can control more the 
sampling area.  The confusing Brightness control in Develop module is gone--use 
Exposure and the tone curves. All values are standardized to default to 0, 
rather than the strange mix of 50 and 0. You can now adjust the brightness and 
contrast of printed output with sliders from the Print module, which is very 
helpful. The adjustment brush/graduated filters (functionality similar to 
Layers but more automated) now allows you to selectively change noise and moire 
within parts of the image. Soft proofing is far easier than Photoshop and 
adjustable.


Not-so-good things: You need an Intel Mac and Snow Leopard (OS 10.6.8) at a 
minimum. They have replaced the Recovery and Fill Light sliders (which many of 
us have been addicted to) with Highlights and Shadows sliders. These do the 
same things and more (negative strength changes too) but it's a change.

I haven't check out the book making, nor the video editing or web capabilities.

Here is a photo I just took in Oregon and was processed in LR4. 
Canon 7D, 100-400L lens @ 400mm, ISO 800, f 6.7, 1/750.

image/jpg


ME

Michael Elenko
Eye In The Triangle Photography
206-226-3315






Other related posts: