The much-anticipated Adobe Lightroom 2.0 has arrived and delivers more powerful and usable tools for the digital photographer. Following the April 2008 launch of the Public Beta, the apparent wide and varied commentary has resulted in what was delivered this week. All images in article may be ‘clicked on’ for full size screen shots.

 
New and Improved

The new and improved label when applied to Lightroom 2.0 is meaningful and should neither be feared nor ignored. Current users of the previous versions should be instantly comfortable with this release. The basic organization of the workspace continues with five sections: Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, and Web. There is better integration with Adobe Photoshop, larger size file support, and improved performance including 64-bit functionality. The RAW editing features are as good as any available. Multi-monitor support is included.

The integration with Adobe Photoshop products is distinctly faster and cleaner in options for transferring files and their appearance in the Lightroom catalog following editing is welcome. Smart Objects are supported.

The Library

Lightroom 2.0 enhanced features for the Library module includes Keyword suggestions from other similar sets. Smart Collections have enhanced metadata functionality for building selections, for printing, archiving, web collections, etc.

The Library module where the workflow begins has a reorganized layout referred to as Streamlined Browsing. Here lies the heart of the organizational power needed for the thousands of images that digital photographers produce. Smart Collections now show Colored, Flags, Without Keywords, Time modified and other meta-distinctions in the left panel. Folders reports external drives names (manufacturer even) and not just the drive letter.

The Library Module in Grid Mode

Included refinements in reporting of lenses, cameras, serial numbers, and more, are assets in documenting and producing deliverables. These added and enhanced features aid any photographer in managing ever-increasing numbers of digital images. Casual photographers, who never took more than a handful of photos a decade ago, even on long trips, are now coming back from 4-day cruises with hundreds to thousands of images. The more choices as to information about the origin of a photo from date and time to other Meta-Data will in the future ease in finding it again!

Slideshow Module

Benefits from the redesigned, but still familiar interface immediately are obvious and usable from the large Export JPEG or PDF buttons to the added control options. Slideshows are easily optimized with timing controls, color wash, specific start/end screens and soundtrack inclusion. There are other buried goodies and all assisted by the continuation of Streamlined Browsing with Browser and Collection panels for content selection.

Print Module

The Print Module clearly displays on the screen what are the active printer and paper selections. No more working through a layout setup to find the wrong printer selected. Included are refinements in calibration and color. Output is enhanced featuring better print package control. User defined templates are apparent in the new browser adaptations in this module.

Web Module

There are new Web modules to build sites including a Flash tool. For building a quick customer presentation or personal slide show, this is one more welcome new Lightroom feature. Web has grown like Slideshow to have many more usable selections and needed options.

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