Latest Lightroom Classic vs Old Lightroom 6.14?

Every now and then I get the urge to upgrade something, and sometimes that is Lightroom.  Like many, I resent the idea of the subscription model, and I feel vindicated in my dislike simply from the fact that I did so little post-processing in 2020 that monthly charges there would have been 100% waste (to me).

But I still wonder if there would be tangible benefits for me in a newer version of Lightroom.   Specifically for post-processing underwater images, and even more specifically the new 'Dehaze' function.

My question is basically 'is it worth it', but I know that introduces the perception of money value.  So I'm rather asking 'Does dehaze do anything notable for the underwater photographer when compared to the old 6.14 version that doesn't have it?'

I've developed my routine for post-processing underwater images, and my version of dehazing uses the black slider.  It tends to block up shadows, so I do a lot of back-and-forth edits pulling the black slider down, then doing other adjustments to counteract the negative effects.   If a simple Dehaze slider adjustment does a very good job of eliminating haze in the water, I'm much more interested in the new software.

In terms of post-processing, that's about all I'm wanting at this time.

In terms of other processing, specifically output to a web page, I'm very interested if the new version does a significantly better job there. (Makes it easier).  I use Photo Mechanic to gin up quick web pages instead of Lightroom.

Hi Craig,

PHXAZCRAIG wrote:

Every now and then I get the urge to upgrade something, and sometimes that is Lightroom. Like many, I resent the idea of the subscription model, and I feel vindicated in my dislike simply from the fact that I did so little post-processing in 2020 that monthly charges there would have been 100% waste (to me).

I changed from LR 6 to the subcription version by chance, since I also did not like the idea of paying monthly: In 2020 I was processing images in Raja Ampat during a rainday (quite hot at highest humidity and the notebook frequently closed down to prevent overheating) when my LR version was corrupted by the computer shut downs and stopped working. At home I could not find the CD with the key to reinstall it, so I had to subscribe to the new versions (12 Euro per month for LR plus PS). Now I think the deal is not so bad: I always have the newest versions and in the end the cost is compareable to upgrading every year or every two years...

But I still wonder if there would be tangible benefits for me in a newer version of Lightroom. Specifically for post-processing underwater images, and even more specifically the new 'Dehaze' function.

My question is basically 'is it worth it', but I know that introduces the perception of money value. So I'm rather asking 'Does dehaze do anything notable for the underwater photographer when compared to the old 6.14 version that doesn't have it?'

I use "Dehaze" frequently since I have the subscription version - so for me yes, it is a nice function to increase contrast in a special way I was not able to do before. There are, however, too many functions in LR (and Photoshop) for me to understand them all and I believe that there are many ways to end up with similar results - but I just do not know how. Since 2019 I use LR first and then continue in PS for image processing (I took over this method of processing from Alex Mustard, when I joined one of his workshops; before I was just using LR alone). Probably there are not two UW-photographers that use PR and/or PS the same way, there is an almost indefinite number of combinations of all the different functions...

I've developed my routine for post-processing underwater images, and my version of dehazing uses the black slider. It tends to block up shadows, so I do a lot of back-and-forth edits pulling the black slider down, then doing other adjustments to counteract the negative effects. If a simple Dehaze slider adjustment does a very good job of eliminating haze in the water, I'm much more interested in the new software.

I think "Dehaze" will give better results in a simpler way compared to the the "Black" slider (I always adjust the "Black", "White", "Highlights" and "Shadows" sliders to some extend, but "Dehaze" is different) ...

In terms of post-processing, that's about all I'm wanting at this time.

In terms of other processing, specifically output to a web page, I'm very interested if the new version does a significantly better job there. (Makes it easier). I use Photo Mechanic to gin up quick web pages instead of Lightroom.

So I use the same old school version as you, and for UW editing I also wanted the dehaze thinking it would be a huge help.

So I goggled and found a plug-in that seems to work very well. Try doing a search for it. I use the first one. But also  a second checking for you.

https://proloststore.com/products/dehaze

https://cutthruthefog.wordpress.com/lrhazefilters-dehaze-controls-for-lightroom-6/

DLutzer wrote:

So I use the same old school version as you, and for UW editing I also wanted the dehaze thinking it would be a huge help.

So I goggled and found a plug-in that seems to work very well. Try doing a search for it. I use the first one. But also a second checking for you.

https://proloststore.com/products/dehaze

https://cutthruthefog.wordpress.com/lrhazefilters-dehaze-controls-for-lightroom-6/

Looks like I have even less need to upgrade!

One of the new features I have begun to put into my work flow is the Range Masking (Luminance, Color).

This allows you to apply a filter or brush,  yet limit to certain ranges of color or luminance.

In addition, I also use the "Texture"  slider which I find works well with U/W shots where I want to bring out detail in fish, I find it not as harsh as Clarity.

And yes,  I use Dehaze,  but find it sometime over saturates and muddies up the shadows.  You just have to be careful.

DLutzer wrote:

So I goggled and found a plug-in that seems to work very well. Try doing a search for it. I use the first one. But also a second checking for you.

https://proloststore.com/products/dehaze

I have been using the Polost dehaze presets in LR for several years.  I tend to apply a very light hand to add a slight amount of "pop" to my photos.

I am running a crippled version of LR 6.14.  Every time I've updated the OS on my Mac, I seem to have lost a bit more of the functionality of LR.   This is not a problem for my Sony or Panasonic gear, since their camera/lens profiles are built in, but when I want to get  better results  I invoke DXO PhotoLab 4 as an external editor in LR.   When the global camera supply chain problems eventually sort themselves out and I can buy some new photo gear (esp. Nikon), I may sign up for a LR subscription.