Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5: Classroom in a Book

I am now a convert and use Lightroom to develop RAW files before even thinking of opening them in Photoshop for editing. This book is a good introduction to how to use all the tools. The downside is that since Lightroom's menu's and panels are so different from most of the other applications in Adobe's Creative Cloud, this books spends an inordinate amount of time reviewing how to show and hide panels and features -- thought it is nice to know that almost everything is clickable (words not just the sliders they sit beside, number boxes, etc) and that almost everything has a right click context menu. Since the program's layout is not conventional, some of that would not be obvious. But much of the interface information is rather long to wade through and is often repeated, so the first 5 chapters seem endless and one begins to wonder whether the book will ever get around to discussing how to actually work with your photos. But then comes Chapter 6 "Developing and Editing," it does an excellent job and provides a good understanding of all the tools and all the ways to adjust those tools. Chapter 9 on "Printing Images" is also a good introduction (the soft proof and gamut warning info is not to be missed. So if you are new to LR buy this book for those two chapters. And then get Kelby's LR5 book to further explore the actual development tools.

I really like the Adobe series of books to go along with my "Cloud" subscription. I have used these books both in Junior College classes and for projects I have had to do at ASU. I also just bought the video for this book and I plan on using it to review the finer points about "Lightroom" over my summer while I am off from school. But, this book can be used by anyone who wants to learn more about working with their photos and how to manage them. You will get information on editing your photos to make them look "well the way you want them too" in addition to creating a photo book, slideshow, publishing, making backups and exporting them.

This book is designed for the reader, using Lightroom 5, to perform prescribed editing changes to sample images provided by Adobe Creative Team. The idea is that if the reader or user of Lightroom 5 follows these editing instructions on the provided sample images, they will achieve the same or nearly the same results with their Lightroom 5 as the writer of the Classroom in a Book achieved. The results couldn't be farther from the truth. Even with professionally calibrated dual digital displays, my results were completely and noticeably different from that of the author. I tried using a different computer with Lightroom 5 installed with exactly the same results. I could find no support for this problem from Adobe's Website support pages. For this reason, I found the interactive portion of this publication to be useless. And since the primary instructional value of this book is in the interactive use of the supplied sample images in accordance with the author's instructions and his expected results, I find this publication to be of little value.

I just got this book today in the mail and cannot wait to get started. I failed to realize when I ordered it that there is a Code in the back for Digital Features Access! I have skimmed through so that I could write a review because I am sure once I get started with it, I will forget to do so. Also, I have just received LR 5 as a gift and have no clue how to use it. This book provides step-by-step instructions for the beginner like me. I would definitely recommend if you need a helping hand in learning the LR 5 program.

I got my initial introduction to photoshop3 from Classroom in a book for Lightroom 3. I have upgraded to five and wanted something to help get me acquainted with the differences as well as help with organization. I upgraded computers at the same time as upgrading to a newer lightroom. I also wanted info on transitioning to the newer software. I am about 1/3 of the way through this book along with some skipping around for topics of immediate interest. This book is well written and the exercises give good hands on instruction in how to use this program. I highly recommend it.

A code was attached to the rear of the book whereby one was supposed to log onto Peachpit to obtain the practice images to work throught the text book. I followed instructions and was able to find the list of lessons but then I was locked out of the Peachpit site for unknown reasons. I communicated with them by email as instructed, to no avail. I received an email telling me a tecnichian would reply to address my problem within a short time. This never happened and I have not received any further communication from them. I do not have the time nor do I wish to continue dealing with a low rate company such as Peachpit that does not practice good cutomer service. I have observed from reading the Amazon reviews that I do not appear to be alone in this respect. I have never heard of Peachpit before this purchase and wish to never again. I would suggest the Adobe Team, who compiled this book, investigate customer issues and decide not to do business with Peachpit if this is the kind of customer service that one can expect from Peachpit. I remain highly disappointed about this purchase and will be more careful to avoid anything to do with Peachpit. Sincerely, Dennis

I love the book, the step-by-step directions and the accompanying screens illustrate exactly what to do. I was able to follow everything except at the beginning when it directed me to make a new catalog. After 10 days of frustration in not being able to do it, I contacted the authors with a screen shot of my effrort. They told me that I had the files backwards and so I did it again per the book's instructions and ended up with exactly the same problem. Fortunately, I was able to import pictures without using their method. After that I was able to use and enjoy the book.

Bought this book because I have a similar one for Photoshop Elements and despite having another book for Lightroom 5 this style of book is better for me. Even though I have been using Lightroom for many years there is a lot that is under utilised. This book gives you lessons to work through which can be applied to your photographs in the future. Some aspects of the lessons might not work exactly as the book describes but generallythis does not affect the end result. It is handy to have a book to refer to while attempting some projects rather than having to switch to the internet.The book does give you internet links also. Would recommend this book.

I have to say I'm struggling with this book with a little. I don't think it is very clearly explained in some places. Some of the functions that the book instructs you to follow don't work in practice and some of the diagrams don't match what I am seeing on my screen. I might look for an alternative.

Excellent book very easy to follow the lessons. Only downside was the price which is the reason for losing 1 star

I'm working my way through this and, so far, the lessons have been clear and concise. Recommended.

Not at all clear, diagrams do not match what I am seeing hard to get assistance, have to persevering .