Why is using both Lightroom and Photoshop overkill for most photographers?

Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop are two of the best photo editing tools, but while many professionals use both together, you only need Lightroom if you're an amateur photographer. Using both is often overkill.

Table of Contents

• 6. You can simply use Photoshop to edit
• 5. Lightroom's auto-enhancement features are better
• 4. Camera Raw is basically the same as Lightroom
• 3. Lightroom is more streamlined for amateur photographers
• 2. Transferring photos takes time
• 1. Photoshop isn't great for editing photos on smartphones

6. You can simply use Photoshop to edit

Many Photoshop editing features are available in Lightroom. For example, you can adjust shadows, contrast, highlights, and saturation.

Since many of Photoshop’s features are similar to Lightroom’s, using both apps can lead to over-edited photos. If you have to use both apps, you should use Photoshop for editing. However, you’re better off doing most of your editing in Lightroom.

Even when editing, you can still find blemish remover and other tools to remove unwanted blemishes in Lightroom.

5. Lightroom's auto-enhancement features are better

Photoshop has automatic tools to improve tone, contrast, and color, but Lightroom's auto-enhancement tools are all you really need.

You can automatically adjust your entire image in Lightroom; while it’s not 100% accurate, it usually provides a solid base. You can also adjust white balance, which, when combined with manual work, can help you achieve perfect white balance in your photos.

4. Camera Raw is basically the same as Lightroom

It’s common for beginners to feel the need to use every feature in a photo editing app, but this will only lead to worse edits. You’ll also be less productive and feel more overwhelmed. The way many people use Camera Raw is a prime example of this.

Camera Raw is almost identical to Lightroom Classic. You get calibration, color grading, and basic editing tools. Some photographers will use both tools, though (but it doesn’t make a huge difference).

Instead, you should choose one or the other. If you like the look of Photoshop, use Camera Raw. Otherwise, do the majority of your editing in Lightroom.

3. Lightroom is more streamlined for amateur photographers

Photoshop has become less bloated. However, it is still overwhelming for many photographers. It can have too many features for the average photographer. While Lightroom is also comprehensive, it doesn’t take as long to learn as Photoshop.

Lightroom CC is especially beginner-friendly. You can also edit seamlessly across mobile and desktop.

2. Transferring photos takes time

While you can open Lightroom CC files in Photoshop, transferring files from Lightroom Classic takes a bit more time. First, you need to save the image. Then, you need to open Photoshop and import the file into it.

Over time, this process becomes tedious. It’s especially pointless if you’re using Photoshop features that are available in Lightroom. While you may feel more professional using both apps, streamlining the process is better for editing tasks.

1. Photoshop isn't great for editing photos on smartphones

Photoshop Express is good for smartphone photo editing, but the web version is pretty poor. The auto-enhance features aren't as good, and other than removing blemishes, there's really no reason to use Photoshop for smartphone editing.

Lightroom, on the other hand, is pretty good. Many of its presets actually work better on smartphone photos, and color grading adds a nice finishing touch. It’s great for removing chromatic aberration and making lens corrections.

If you are an amateur photographer, choose Lightroom or Photoshop for editing rather than both. Lightroom is a better all-rounder and its interface is easier to navigate, so you should start with that app and move on to Photoshop later if needed.