Lightroom (Adobe Photoshop Lightroom) is primarily a software for editing and managing digital images. The program is available for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows systems. It specializes in the processing of raw data generated by digital cameras.

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Owing to the fact that professional-quality photo equipment is becoming less and less expensive, more and more amateur photographers have access to first-class digital cameras. Apart from a feeling for the right detail and moment, the quality of the picture editing and management of large amounts of data are playing an ever-greater role. This is one of the strengths of professional photographers who have learned how to use image-editing programs such as Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom and can offer Presets. The ability to store special settings as Lightroom Presets facilitates the work of many photographers and, in addition, enables them to impart their individual style to other photographers, professionals and amateurs alike.

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Of course, there are numerous programs out there that enable image editing. Some are free of charge and many a waste of time, but let’s focus on Adobe Lightroom.

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Adobe Lightroom is first and foremost software for cataloging and managing digital image data. In addition, editing steps can be undertaken. For professionals, the provider Adobe recommends a combination of Photoshop and Lightroom, which can also be acquired in a package as a subscription. The program, which is available for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows systems, specializes in the management of raw data of digital reflex cameras, system cameras, and now also compact cameras. It is largely intuitive and is easy to understand. Lightroom and the accompanying library are particularly well suited for viewing, organizing, and categorizing large volumes of image material. A big advantage is that image editing is done “non-destructively.” The original RAW file is always preserved in the database in its original state. If changes are made to the image, they are stored separately in a second file. Using Lightroom, a so-called XMP file containing the metadata can be generated.

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With its various modules and the broad range of processing options Lightroom is especially recommended for professional photographers and ambitious amateurs.