Lightroom Plan Question

[Joe5]

I bought Lightroom Classic 6 at Christmas when I got my new Mac mini but just started using it. I used to use Aperture and figured it was time to change.

First I found out the the Maps function no longer works and now I find that it does not import iPhone HEIC images. I am now considering switching to their CC plan but have a few questions. The 2 plans I am considering are

A. Lightroom plan with Lightroom and 1 TB of cloud storage.

B. Photography plan with Lightroom, Lightroom classic, Photoshop and 20 GB of cloud storage.

1. How does the 20 GB plan work? This seems like a trivial amount of storage since my CF camera cards are larger than 20 GB. Can you work exclusively on a local drive or do you have to upload them to the cloud to work on them?

1a. Does the answer change for the 1TB plan? I currently have more than 1 TB of images.

2. Is the Lightroom Classic in this plan the same as the one I purchased or does it have newer features?

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

4. If it doesn't support HEIC, what is the best way to convert to JPG? I use image capture to import iPhone files.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Tom_N]

1. How does the 20 GB plan work? This seems like a trivial amount of storage since my CF camera cards are larger than 20 GB. Can you work exclusively on a local drive or do you have to upload them to the cloud to work on them?

I could be wrong, but I believe that you need cloud storage mainly for Lightroom CC and Lightroom Mobile. (Unless you choose to put a lot of stuff in the cloud.)

2. Is the Lightroom Classic in this plan the same as the one I purchased or does it have newer features?

Some newer features. It appears that Adobe has tried to speed up the program, and has added "color range masking" and "luminance range masking".

https://digital-photography-school.com/six-reasons-upgrade-lightroom-classic-cc/

The latest Lightroom Classic CC might support more Raw formats than Lightroom 6.14. Adobe no longer supports Lightroom 6.14, so if you're using Raw formats introduced since its release, with it, your only choice is to use a converter (like the DNG converter).

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

Adobe – HEIC and HEVC media files support in Lightroom and Camera Raw

 

[robgendreau]

I bought Lightroom Classic 6 at Christmas when I got my new Mac mini but just started using it. I used to use Aperture and figured it was time to change.

First I found out the the Maps function no longer works and now I find that it does not import iPhone HEIC images. I am now considering switching to their CC plan but have a few questions. The 2 plans I am considering are

A. Lightroom plan with Lightroom and 1 TB of cloud storage.

B. Photography plan with Lightroom, Lightroom classic, Photoshop and 20 GB of cloud storage.

1. How does the 20 GB plan work? This seems like a trivial amount of storage since my CF camera cards are larger than 20 GB. Can you work exclusively on a local drive or do you have to upload them to the cloud to work on them?

Yes, that isn't much storage. The 20GB plan is primarily for those who will use Lr Classic with local storage, and who may occasionally use CC on the desktop or mobile, mostly for passing stuff back and forth. But note that smart previews synching from Classic do NOT count against the 20GB storage limits. So you could have a ton of galleries for say displaying images, using the smart previews, and not go near 20GB.

And yes, you can use Classic with all local storage and never ever send anything into the cloud.

1a. Does the answer change for the 1TB plan? I currently have more than 1 TB of images.

One of the 1TB plans is I think only for Lr CC. No Classic, no Ps. If you want all your stuff in the cloud there are other solutions, but it depends on WHY you want them there. If backup, consider a dedicated backup service instead.

2. Is the Lightroom Classic in this plan the same as the one I purchased or does it have newer features?

It has newer features. The profile system has changed. HEIC. Interface changes. Probably some more stuff but it's been ages since I used 6; I assume Adobe has a change log somewhere.

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/kb/heic-files-support.html

Yes to HEIC. Dunno about live view; that's those gif like things, right? I think it imports them as video, but not sure.

4. If it doesn't support HEIC, what is the best way to convert to JPG? I use image capture to import iPhone files.

I'd use Lr Mobile's camera and shoot raw, then convert them in Classic to JPEG or whatever when you export. With the Plan you can have all the images shot with Lr's camera auto sync to your desktop in full raw, then delete from your phone.

Thanks,

 

[Andy Hewitt]

I bought Lightroom Classic 6 at Christmas when I got my new Mac mini but just started using it. I used to use Aperture and figured it was time to change.

First I found out the the Maps function no longer works and now I find that it does not import iPhone HEIC images. I am now considering switching to their CC plan but have a few questions. The 2 plans I am considering are

A. Lightroom plan with Lightroom and 1 TB of cloud storage.

B. Photography plan with Lightroom, Lightroom classic, Photoshop and 20 GB of cloud storage.

1. How does the 20 GB plan work? This seems like a trivial amount of storage since my CF camera cards are larger than 20 GB. Can you work exclusively on a local drive or do you have to upload them to the cloud to work on them?

As a reference, I have used Lightroom since v3, and have been on the 20GB Photography plan for almost a year, and recently upgraded to the 1TB Photography Plan (you get a one year discount for doing that).

As others have mentioned, you can happily use the 20GB plan, if all you need is to synchronise your images for viewing and editing across multiple devices (you can't print or download full size images though). You can only upload 'Smart' previews from Classic to the cloud, it does not have the ability to upload originals. But as mentioned, these 'Smart' previews do not count towards your usage of the 20GB. I did successfully synchronise my entire 500GB library to Lightroom CC this way.

1a. Does the answer change for the 1TB plan? I currently have more than 1 TB of images.

The base 1TB plan only gives you Lightroom CC and 1TB of storage (no Photoshop CC is included either). The storage is necessary, as Lightroom CC only upload the originals, without any choices or selections, the whole lot gets uploaded. You can choose to additionally store copies locally too.

Lightroom CC does have a limited feature set in comparison though. No printing, and no external editors, no plugins. Much more rudimentary batch editing and so on. However, editing tools themselves are pretty much the same.

2. Is the Lightroom Classic in this plan the same as the one I purchased or does it have newer features?

There are new features and abilities. Some are obvious, but you get things like the new Textures slider, and the older DeHaze, as well as a plethora of new Profiles, and updated Process versions. There's also the new AI based auto tone (it's beginning to work quite well), and AI (Sensei) based search.

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

No idea on that one, I hate the Live View images, and haven't got a phone capable of HEIC.

However, what you can do, and much better IMHO is install the Lightroom CC app onto your mobile devices and shoot in DNG format - basically a Raw format for the iPhone.

4. If it doesn't support HEIC, what is the best way to convert to JPG? I use image capture to import iPhone files.

If you use the Lightroom app, they just get uploaded and synced automatically.

You can use the 20GB of storage to transfer images from devices into Lightroom Classic storage, and then clear them from the cloud, and then re-sync them back as Smart Previews . It's a bit of a fudge, but does work OK once you get your head around it.

As it is, I went for the 1TB Photography plan as it enables me to upload all my originals, from whatever device, and just forget about them.

My current workflow is to import into a temporary folder, view and cull using FastRawViewer, import into Lightroom CC, and let them upload to the cloud. They'll automatically appear in Classic, where I then move the folders into my own structure, and create a synced Collection, which I then file into a similar structure once it syncs back to Lightroom CC.

I then use Lightroom Classic for all my editing tasks, and creating new Collection Sets and Collections, and use Lightroom CC just to organise albums and folders for the cloud ecosystem.

Of course, you can get into a muddle if you're not careful, and Adobe do not recommend using Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC on the same machine - but it is doable if you can work around the gotchas.

If you plan to stick with Lightroom, I'd strongly recommend going to the Lightroom Queen website and purchasing her books there (and perhaps check out the forums there too).

Hope that helps.

 

[Mike Boreham]

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

Lightroom (we aren't supposed to call it "Lightroom CC" anymore, just plain "Lightroom") handles HEIC fine but not Live Photos.

I can't test Classic at the moment but suspect the same is true.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

Lightroom (we aren't supposed to call it "Lightroom CC" anymore, just plain "Lightroom") handles HEIC fine but not Live Photos.

Yeah, what a horrible mess they've made of the naming conventions being used. Just try a search on Lightroom, and you've no idea what version you'll be finding out about.

At the moment I'm sticking with the CC and Classic monikers as I think most people still understand those, and they're still obvious which version you're talking about.

 

[Mike Boreham]

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

Lightroom (we aren't supposed to call it "Lightroom CC" anymore, just plain "Lightroom") handles HEIC fine but not Live Photos.

Yeah, what a horrible mess they've made of the naming conventions being used. Just try a search on Lightroom, and you've no idea what version you'll be finding out about.

At the moment I'm sticking with the CC and Classic monikers as I think most people still understand those, and they're still obvious which version you're talking about.

I agree, though I sometimes use "Cloudy" and "Classic" which is totally unofficial but totally unambiguous.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

Lightroom (we aren't supposed to call it "Lightroom CC" anymore, just plain "Lightroom") handles HEIC fine but not Live Photos.

Yeah, what a horrible mess they've made of the naming conventions being used. Just try a search on Lightroom, and you've no idea what version you'll be finding out about.

At the moment I'm sticking with the CC and Classic monikers as I think most people still understand those, and they're still obvious which version you're talking about.

I agree, though I sometimes use "Cloudy" and "Classic" which is totally unofficial but totally unambiguous.

That's almost cute too . I like it.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Of course, you can get into a muddle if you're not careful, and Adobe do not recommend using Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC on the same machine - but it is doable if you can work around the gotchas.

Andy helped me enormously last year getting set up with Classic and Cloudy, but I still managed to fall into one of the gotchas when I was using both programmes in the early days.

IMHO the issue is not about having both programmes on the same machine but having them both signed into the same account and syncing (even if on different machines).

I mainly use Lightroom Cloudy and love it (77000, 550GB) but I still use Classic with sync firmly OFF, and have had no problems. The interaction if both are syncing is not simple, and is what Adobe advise against, even though it is supported.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

Of course, you can get into a muddle if you're not careful, and Adobe do not recommend using Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC on the same machine - but it is doable if you can work around the gotchas.

Andy helped me enormously last year getting set up with Classic and Cloudy, but I still managed to fall into one of the gotchas when I was using both programmes in the early days.

Yes, I've still feel into one or two myself when I recently switched back again. However, during that I managed to get my head around how it all functions a bit better.

IMHO the issue is not about having both programmes on the same machine but having them both signed into the same account and syncing (even if on different machines).

I agree, that comment they make about using both apps is not very helpful, it is more about how you interact the cloud based system with Classic.

I mainly use Lightroom Cloudy and love it (77000, 550GB) but I still use Classic with sync firmly OFF, and have had no problems. The interaction if both are syncing is not simple, and is what Adobe advise against, even though it is supported.

I now have syncing turned fully on, but it took a lot of work to get it set up correctly. I basically ended up with a mass of duplicated collections/albums, and had to work through them all to 'normalise' it all. However, now I have got it properly synced, it's a very flexible and powerful system.

You just have to sort out your workflow correctly, and only use one of the apps to do certain tasks. As I said, I only use 'Cloudy' to do the importing now, as that ensure I get original master images uploaded to the cloud, and copies saved into my local storage for 'Cloudy. Then let the cloud sync those down to Classic, where you can freely move them about into folders, and you get another local copy.

I then put those into a Collection Set/Collection, which itself syncs back to the cloud, and eventually back to 'Cloudy'. I only use 'Cloudy' to reorganise those Collections into Folders/albums.

It's a kind of full circle workflow, but if you stick to it in a methodical way, it does work fine.

It's a shame they couldn't have just allowed 'Classic' to sync originals up to the cloud, and use the same naming convention for Collection Sets/Collections and Folders/Albums. Even that does confuse people without the silliness over the applications naming.

 

[Joe5]

Thanks for all the replies!

4. If I understand correctly, Classic includes all of the current Lightroom features with the exception of working from the cloud (including a working Maps module)?

5. In the photography plan, is Photoshop a cloud or desktop version? Also, does it work as a plugin to Classic?

6. LR Mobile camera - Does this still use the iPhone camera App? Does this do away with the Live View option?

7. Live View - the thing I like about this is that it gives you the option of choosing the same scene but over a period of a couple seconds. This can turn a frown into a smile. I have also seen it change exposure over the sequence. When you select a different "frame", it creates an additional JPG with the new selection.

8. I've seen some thread where Lightroom is available through the Apple App Store. If so, should you purchase a subscription through the App Store or through Adobe?

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[Tom_N]

8. I've seen some thread where Lightroom is available through the Apple App Store. If so, should you purchase a subscription through the App Store or through Adobe?

If you just want to rent the cloud-only Lightroom, it is in the Mac App Store. I don't believe that either of the Photography Plans that include Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC are available there.

 

[noirdesir]

5. In the photography plan, is Photoshop a cloud or desktop version?

I don't think there are two different versions of Photoshop, there is only whatever the current version of Photoshop CC is (which has optional cloud features like Lightroom Classic).

 

[Mike Boreham]

Thanks for all the replies!

4. If I understand correctly, Classic includes all of the current Lightroom features with the exception of working from the cloud (including a working Maps module)?

I wouldn't have expressed it quite like this. The BIG thing that Cloudy Lightroom does that Classic doesn't is automatically sync between all your devices. My wife and I have Lightroom Cloudy installed on four iDevices and three computers (one windows) and any photograph taken on any of the iDevices or imported to any of the computers is automatically synced to all the others, and edits and culls too, and backed up as well of course.

This is very powerful for me and worth the reduced capability compared to Classic. It all depends on your usage and priorities.

In many ways it works the same as, and is a competitor to Apple Photos, but it has some significant advantages over Photos.

 

[Mike Boreham]

8. I've seen some thread where Lightroom is available through the Apple App Store. If so, should you purchase a subscription through the App Store or through Adobe?

If you just want to rent the cloud-only Lightroom, it is in the Mac App Store. I don't believe that either of the Photography Plans that include Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC are available there.

If you are starting from scratch with the Cloudy Lightroom it would tempting to go with the Apple Store version. I think it will probably have a simpler install and update process (though not 100% sure of this and the Adobe one isn't bad).

However one consideration is that Adobe make it very easy to switch between plans, whereas if you go the Apple Store way you just have the Cloudy option. I haven't seen any clear explanation of how the Apple Store way works for increases of storage etc. Andy and I have both found ourselves changing plans up, down and sideways.

Both the Apple Store and Adobe Store allow Lightroom Cloudy to be installed on five devices. The normal Adobe limit is two activated devices but the Lightroom Cloudy plan is a recent exception. Incidentally Adobe make it very easy, and there is no limit on how often, to switch activation between devices. So if you have the apps installed on five computers you can activate the one you want to use. The app will just ask which one you want to deactivate.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

8. I've seen some thread where Lightroom is available through the Apple App Store. If so, should you purchase a subscription through the App Store or through Adobe?

If you just want to rent the cloud-only Lightroom, it is in the Mac App Store. I don't believe that either of the Photography Plans that include Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC are available there.

If you are starting from scratch with the Cloudy Lightroom it would tempting to go with the Apple Store version. I think it will probably have a simpler install and update process (though not 100% sure of this and the Adobe one isn't bad).

I don't think there's much in really, although I've not had the opportunity to try the App Store version. One thing to note is that updates might take longer as Apple vet every app and update before it's posted.

However one consideration is that Adobe make it very easy to switch between plans, whereas if you go the Apple Store way you just have the Cloudy option. I haven't seen any clear explanation of how the Apple Store way works for increases of storage etc. Andy and I have both found ourselves changing plans up, down and sideways.

Haha, tell me about it. Yes, I agree, for me I think staying away from the App Store version could be a better choice, if it's at all likely you might want to change plans in the future.

 

[pcgould]

I bought Lightroom Classic 6 at Christmas when I got my new Mac mini but just started using it. I used to use Aperture and figured it was time to change.

First I found out the the Maps function no longer works and now I find that it does not import iPhone HEIC images. I am now considering switching to their CC plan but have a few questions. The 2 plans I am considering are

A. Lightroom plan with Lightroom and 1 TB of cloud storage.

If you don't want PS included, then this might be your option.

B. Photography plan with Lightroom, Lightroom classic, Photoshop and 20 GB of cloud storage.

1. How does the 20 GB plan work? This seems like a trivial amount of storage since my CF camera cards are larger than 20 GB. Can you work exclusively on a local drive or do you have to upload them to the cloud to work on them?

The Photography plan that includes both LR Classic and PS + 20 GB cloud storage is what I use and is the one that you will find most photographers are using. You install the regular version of both LR and Photoshop on your desktop and laptop and you work on your images in your LR library without any connection to internet or use of the cloud if that is what you want. My brother spends 95% of his time as a National Geographic photo instructor in the Arctic and Antarctic so almost never has internet and this is his setup. As do most of us, we keep our images on an external HD (preferably an SSD) since our Macs don't have enough space for all those photos.

The way to use the cloud feature of this photography plan is by dragging images from your regular LR library folders in Lightroom to the LR Mobile folder. When the sync function is enabled, you can then access those images in the LR Mobile app on a mobile device. You can edit on the Mobile device and your edits are then synced back to the LR classic image. I myself don't use this very often as I rarely do editing on my iPad. While traveling, I use LR on my MacBook Air using the portable SSD that has all my images and the LR catalog. When I return home, that catalog is reconnected to my iMac and no need to do anything. Some people travel with a different portable drive and then merge the 2 catalogs when they return home.

Whether you use the cloud storage/sync feature is entirely up to you. If I want to share photos onto my mobile devices, I prefer to just export images to a GoogleDrive or DropBox folder and I can still use the LR Mobile app to edit on a mobile device if I choose.

The photography plan for $120/year is a great deal for me. Many people say they hate the subscription model but I love it. I purchased LR 3/4/5 and could only afford PS Elements (which I also purchased about 4 different versions of) so this way, I have full PS, and the new features LR in the Photography Plan are NOT available in LR 6 nor will they ever be. I've been using the Photography Plan for 5 years and I'm very happy with it. I'll bet that most of the people against the subscription model gladly pay a monthly/annual subscription to streaming media services like NetFlix and Amazon Prime. There isn't an option to buy internet, cell phone, internet. With any utilities you don't just get a one time charge (except for when we lived in the woods and paid to dig a well so we didn't pay for water but we still had to pay for electric to pump the water and propane to heat the water. I don't see any difference to getting some software that way and always getting the newest features is a benefit to me. I've been using the plan for 5 years now.

1a. Does the answer change for the 1TB plan? I currently have more than 1 TB of images.

2. Is the Lightroom Classic in this plan the same as the one I purchased or does it have newer features?

Lightroom Classic in the Photography plan has new features that have been added in the past few years that will not be added to LR6.

3. Does any version import iPhone Live view files and HEIC files?

4. If it doesn't support HEIC, what is the best way to convert to JPG? I use image capture to import iPhone files.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Joe5]

The way to use the cloud feature of this photography plan is by dragging images from your regular LR library folders in Lightroom to the LR Mobile folder. When the sync function is enabled, you can then access those images in the LR Mobile app on a mobile device.

I signed up for the photography plan on Monday. I plan to primarily use Lightroom Classic on my Mac. Will probably install on my iPad but not sure I will use it much.

I don't see a folder called "LR Mobile folder". Do you have to create that or do you drag them to "All Synced Photographs" which is under the Catalog section?

Joe

 

[Tom_N]

I'll bet that most of the people against the subscription model gladly pay a monthly/annual subscription to streaming media services like NetFlix and Amazon Prime. There isn't an option to buy internet, cell phone, internet.

Not the same thing. With utilities, you are paying for ongoing provision of more goods. More water, more electricity, more phone/Internet service, more TV shows. LR 6.14 was more like a car. Once built, no changes, except perhaps to fix major defects.

While you can rent, say, a car, that does not mean that it would be good for automakers to take away the option to own one. As for cell phones, there IS often an option to buy them outright. It's the cellular voice and data service that has a recurring cost.

 

[pcgould]

I'll bet that most of the people against the subscription model gladly pay a monthly/annual subscription to streaming media services like NetFlix and Amazon Prime. There isn't an option to buy internet, cell phone, internet.

Not the same thing. With utilities, you are paying for ongoing provision of more goods. More water, more electricity, more phone/Internet service, more TV shows. LR 6.14 was more like a car. Once built, no changes, except perhaps to fix major defects.

While you can rent, say, a car, that does not mean that it would be good for automakers to take away the option to own one. As for cell phones, there IS often an option to buy them outright. It's the cellular voice and data service that has a recurring cost.

Yes, I buy my phones outright but I still have to pay $85/month to use them. Same thing back in the 70s and 80s when I purchased my own phones but I still had to pay for service.

What I meant was but didn't state clearly: I should have said there isn't an option to buy cell phone SERVICE with a one time purchase, it has to be an ongoing fee.

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