Ayup! I’ve spent the last 10 months tweaking and refining a workflow that doesn’t rely on Adobe. A combination of Affinity and Photomator covered everything I needed. For a few reasons, though, I’ve decided to start editing with Lightroom again.
This is largely down to the built-in Apple ProRAW profiles (including a monochrome version). Also, the more I’ve been using Photomator, the more two annoying bugs have been getting right on my wotsits. Throw me out of the crop tool one more time, I said, and I’m out of here.
The other bug sends you flying back to the top of the editing panel when you’ve scrolled down. No big deal for occasional use, but when you’re in there all the time, it becomes a tad infuriating.
Everything Just Works
Lightroom remains a solid editing tool. There’s never been any doubt about that. I took out a free trial to see if I’d still get on with it. Pleasantly surprised! Everything just works, and it handles my ProRAW files effortlessly. Massive tick!
The ProRAW Monochrome profile is an extremely welcome addition. Lots of black and white photographers convert their images with a profile, rather than simply hitting the B&W button. You’ve also got various other options. I think they completely remove any of Apple’s computational processing. Potentially pretty darn useful.
I’m currently working on a series of blue monochrome photos. Lightroom makes this much easier than Photomator. Apply a monochrome profile, then add blue colour grading. So much more precision and control.
I was also instantly reminded how much better the selections are. Subject, sky, background, it just gets it right.
Profiles & Presets
I’m really into the Walk Like Alice YouTube channel at the mo. It’s a joint venture from photography couple Jeff and Sarah Ascough. Jeff also produced a SilverChrome Profile & Preset pack for Lightroom.
Had to have it! As I intend to further explore black and white, these profiles offer a quick and easy starting point. They’re based on film, which Jeff is an absolute veteran of. I’ll most likely have a play around with them and try to replicate their aesthetic myself.
Taken directly from my copy of Lightroom, this pack is the culmination of everything I have learned about black-and-white photography, both analogue and digital, over the past three decades.
Huge Fan of Subscriptions
Said nobody ever. The subscription model was one of the main reasons I quit Adobe in the first place. That said, I found a Lightroom only plan, which I didn’t know existed. A reasonable £11.99 per month compared to the full suite that I was paying for last time.
Uploading & Syncing
As I shoot on the iPhone and edit on the laptop, an efficient syncing process is essential. Thankfully, all I need to do is upload the images straight to Lightroom from my phone.
Make a cuppa, and by the time I’m at my desk, my files are waiting for me on the MacBook. Nice!
iPhone, ProRAW & Lightroom
In my ongoing quest for the best possible iPhone photos, Lightroom should slot back into the mix perfectly. Yes, Capture One, DxO PhotoLab, or Luminar would likely have fit the bill, but I already know my way around Adobe’s offering.
I know I can further develop my blue monochrome series, and I’m certainly not complaining about the available presets and profiles.
I doubt it will be a forever thing. For now, though, if the workflow calls for Lightroom, then we’re using Lightroom. Stand by for further experiments, testing and monochrome conversions. Happy days!