Lightroom has released a new version, which is actually two versions. The Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom CC version. There are many people out there have asked this matter online. Therefore, I’ve spent some time trying both of them to get the idea.
In short, the Lightroom Classic version is basically an update of Lightroom that we use frequently until now. However, there is another version called Lightroom CC that has been completely redesigned and is designed to work with the Adobe cloud service.
Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom CC
First of all, what can we call Lightroom Classic and which one is the Lightroom CC?
The Classic is called “Classic CC“ and the other just called “CC”. So, to simplify things, let’s call them Classic and CC.
As I said, the Classic version is basically the Lightroom we already know. It is a desktop version that we install on our computer and work with it as we have always worked. With the catalogs, all the tools that we know, plus a few new features that incorporate. It also has an improvement in internal performance.
The CC version, on the other hand, is basically a new program. It is designed to work from Adobe servers.
Where you store the Photos
The first difference between both versions is how and where we store the photos.
With Lightroom classic we work as always with the photos on our computer. You can import and export the photo from the internal disk or an external one. However, with Lightroom CC, the high-resolution photos would be saved in a space that Adobe gives us on their servers. Which is.. in the cloud. Well, we could also store them locally, but Lightroom CC is basically a cloud-based service.
Lightroom Classic for Desktop vs Lightroom. CC for Multiple Devices
An apparent advantage of Lightroom CC is that we work with photos remotely, on Adobe servers. Therefore, we can access them from other devices. It can be from an iPhone, from an iPad and more. Our entire cloud files would be accessible on any device. Therefore, you are able to edit them from multiple devices you have.
For me, this advantage is not too great. It is, of course, my personal opinion.
Lightroom Review | Loss of Features
Lightroom CC has been completely redesigned to make it an application that can be used not only on a computer but also on mobile devices.
This makes its interface simpler. Unfortunately, that simplicity makes it lose some functionalities and essential features of the Classic version.
It is indeed, designed for people who do not need much power. What you want is to make certain adjustments to your photos, have them available on all your devices and be able to edit them from anywhere. The edited files are always synchronized, but with fewer options.
Well, it is very good that Adobe offers that option. However, I just want to let you know that it is something completely different and less powerful than the Lightroom we know so far.
To begin with, Lightroom CC lose the catalogs. They do not exist anymore here. Therefore, you have to use albums and metadata to organize them.
Lightroom CC does not include many features that are fundamental for a professional job. However, that is also one of their strengths. They are being clear to what consumer really needs for basic editing. Also, it is aimed for a beginner market, which values the ease of use more than professional technical characteristics.
For example, with Lightroom CC, we do not have the option to export with color spaces choosing between ProPhoto or Adobe RGB. We also cannot export in TIFF or PSD, but only in JPG.
For me, it’s a step back, but I understand that there are people who do not need those options or know when to use one or the other. All they want is a JPG to share it on Facebook or Instagram.
Lightroom CC vs Lightroom Classic
That is why Lightroom CC is not an evolution of Lightroom. It’s something new, with a simpler interface, easier to handle for people who do not need all the power that Lightroom Classic has. At the same time, it still offers more advanced features compared to other options available in the mobile market.
Therefore, it does not mean that Lightroom CC cannot be used in professional environments. Everything depends on what we do. The problem is that Adobe does not explain to the public officials about the pros and cons between them. Finally, some people run the risk to move on Lightroom CC and then they see that it is not what they want.
From my point of view, Lightroom CC is designed for those photographers who work most of the time with mobile devices.
If our usual work as photographers consists in the immediacy of having to upload photos to social networks, having all our photos available on our mobile, even being able to edit them at the moment, being synchronized with the rest of the devices, and uploading them instantly, CC version is perfect.
These are some of the features that the Lightroom Classic maintains but does not present in the Lightroom CC:
- The organization by folders
- Smart collections
- The renamed of the photos
- Facial Recognition
- The colored labels
- The adjustment of tone curves
- The split tone setting
- The camera calibration panel
- The HISTORY tool in the settings
- The comparison or the survey view
- The creation of HDRs or panoramas
- The map module and the geolocation
- The print module
- The book, web, or presentation module
- Being able to create snapshots
- Virtual copies
- Synchronize settings
- To be able to use a second screen
- Can export in JPEG, TIFF, DNG, PSD, or the classic JPG
- Export with different color spaces such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto versus the only sRGB
- Export embedding watermarks
As you can see, it is not a minor issue for a novice photographer.
Conclusion
Lightroom Classic would be the Lightroom we know so far. On the other hand, Lightroom CC is a new program. It is still powerful, no doubt, but with fewer options than the Classic. It is made for users who need more mobility and less photo editing option.