Software Review: Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC – Which RAW Image Editor Is Right for You?

By Jack Neubart
Photographer, photo-technical writer, musician/composer, software developer, birder.

Clown Face from Inner Space. This is a reimagining of Chicago's famous Cloud Gate sculpture, popularly known as "The Bean," (masterfully designed by sculptor Anish Kapoor) when viewed from underneath its dome. Most views of this sculpture are shot from outside, but you'll experience a wondrous journey once you step inside. Shooting from different angles yields different results, as does shooting with different focal lengths. This was shot with an ultrawide lens. Editing here was miminal - but Lightroom CC  did the job needed. ©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic has been my go-to for RAW image processing for the longest time. Yes, I may have wandered afield on occasion – but I always came back.
 
When Adobe adopted a subscription model for their software, Lightroom Classic found it had a younger sibling, in the form of Adobe Lightroom CC. But I could never be bothered with this new arrival beyond a passing glance. Until now. The time has come to take a deep dive into Lightroom CC and see how it compares with its older sibling. Should I adopt a new strategy in my ever-evolving universe of digital image editing or stick with the tried-and-true? Let’s find out, shall we?
 
This is a no-holds-barred, take-your-gloves-off-and-get-in-the-ring face-off between two imaging tools designed to help us squeeze out every last ounce of flavor a RAW image has to offer. (JPEGs have less potential, but they’re still on the table.) However, if you’re expecting a clear winner and loser, think again. These are both very capable applications. It’s just that they target different audiences. And, perhaps more importantly, one is considerably less expensive, but does come at a tradeoff.
 
Desktop versions of Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC are currently the topic of discussion.
​We’ll examine Adobe mobile imaging apps at a later time.

Lightroom CC interface with Info panel. For details on this image, see below. ©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

Riverboat, Chicago. After engaging Lens Blur, I selected a focal point - namely, the Chicago River tour boat, which threw surrounding areas out of focus to some degree (more if I'd wanted, but I kept the amount of softness minimal so as not to bend reality). My next step was to correct for the skewed appearance of the buildings. Then I used a preset for the black-and-white rendering, adding some subtle tonal enhancements, and cropping. Often you have to look beyond the original image to visualize its potential. Lightroom CC. iPhone SE (1st gen). 
​©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

​What’s in a Name?
Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC? “What's in a name?” As the bard so shrewdly observed, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Or would it? Frankly, a more distinct label would have been preferable, as the similarity tends to confuse the issue. With conversations going something like this: “My dear friend, are you referring to Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC.” To which a reply comes: “What, my good man, is the difference?” Ahem, clearing my throat, I add: “I’m glad you asked.” And I proceed to explain…
 
To avoid confusion, the moniker “Lightroom” will only be used when it generally applies to both applications. Otherwise, we’ll call each Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC, the titles used for the respective file folders when installed, or we may refer to them more conveniently as Classic and CC, respectively. (Funnily enough, Adobe simply refers to CC as Adobe Lightroom or more simply, Lightroom. Sometimes leaving you scratching your head when you’re looking for information on Lightroom Classic.)
 
Anyway, we might just say, it may be time to get your head back in the clouds, or “cloud,” when considering Lightroom. Or should you be more down-to-earth? It really depends on your imaging goals.

Tawny Frogmouths, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago. Various elements in this image were masked to elevate the relative tonalities of the birds against their surroundings. These caprimulgids (members of the nightjar/frogmouth family) are naturally camouflaged aerial insectivores hunting in the waning light or dark of night. It often takes some effort to spot them - even inside a zoo enclosure. Distracting elements were removed with the Content-Aware Remove tool, with Lens Blur helping to further minimize the background, along with some judicious cropping.
Lightroom CC. iPhone 7. ©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic

• Lightroom Classic targets all levels of photographers, but largely addresses the needs of photographers with an eye toward marketing their images, exhibiting or using them as teaching tools. Oddly enough, Classic is often overlooked by professional photographers, who bypass this application and go straight to Photoshop.
• Classic is designed for photographers who prefer to keep all their content on their own devices, stored locally (possibly adding remote backup storage for insurance against corrupted files or damaged drives – or other unforeseen events). Having said that, Classic also includes 1 TB cloud storage (additional storage available, but it’ll cost you.)
• Lightroom Classic manages your photo library and your workflow with the aid of Catalogs that house an assemblage of images in a manner that puts all these images at your fingertips. Adobe defines a Catalog as follows: “a database (.lrcat file) containing records for each of your photos and any videos you may have imported. A record ... includes a reference to where the photo lives on your system; your instructions for processing the photo—for instance, the adjustments you applied; and photo metadata, such as keywords and ratings.” (Source: helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/using/migrate-to-lightroom-cc.html.)
  ​You can find a more detailed exposition on Classic Catalogs here: 
  helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/lightroom-catalog-basics.html
• Lightroom Classic supports multiple Catalogs, under unique names, to address different themes or subjects. The application prompts you to back up a Catalog upon exiting.
• Another way that Classic manages your workflow is with Collections. Think of an art museum with a wing dedicated to Renaissance sculpture – or surfers. You can have a user-defined Classic Collection of photographs dedicated to Renaissance sculpture – or surfers. Classic also automatically groups images into Smart Collections, such as a grouping of edited images over the past month. So you needn’t dig through folder after folder to backtrack to a certain image. Just open this Smart Collection – and Voila! There it is. Oh, you can also have Quick Collections on-the-fly – but only one at a time. A Quick Collection is ephemeral, to be replaced by the next one that comes along.
• Inherent in Classic's design is a take-the-bull-by-the-horns workflow that is more intimate, ultimately giving you the feeling that you’ve done all you could to improve the image without resorting to external image editors for your basic needs – or even to go beyond them, up to a point. But, should you need it, there’s always an external lifeline…
• In addition to serving as a gateway to Photoshop, Classic supports a wide range of external applications via plugins, especially when it comes to adding mind-blowing, ready-made effects or, on a more basic level, quick fixes to your images. You also have access to numerous paid and free assets, namely a library chock full of presets to feed your imagination. And it works the other way round, with external image editors recognizing Lightroom Classic, but not Lightroom CC, as a potential gateway when they are installed.
• Classic lets you create Virtual Copies of an image file to use as backup or as a proving ground/test site, with different effects and settings, so you can leave the original file intact (or you can copy-and-paste the edits onto the original). And the beauty of this is, your storage does not take a hit in the process: duplicate files that will weigh down your computer are not generated.
  TIP. You can edit an original image file without affecting Virtual Copies, and vice versa – except remove the original file from the Catalog. If you remove the original image, the entire entourage of Virtual Copies goes with it, to be lost forever. You, can, however dump one Virtual Copy without affecting other Virtual Copies or the original.
  TIP. When removing an original file, you’re asked if you’d prefer to delete it from disk. Weigh that decision carefully. When an image file is removed from Lightroom (meaning, the Catalog), that file can always be restored. Once deleted from disk, whoosh – it’s totally vaporized – well, unless and until you pull it out of the trash.
• Classic also maintains a History of editing steps. The Undo/Redo process does not really work well for this purpose, as it also takes you on a dizzying journey back and forth between Classic modules or different image files that you’ve switched to in the interim – when all you simply wanted to do was go back one or two steps in the editing process.
• In addition, Classic supports Snapshots. You can take a Snapshot that freezes the editing timeline. This is a more efficient way to go back (or forward) to a specific point in the editing process without having to laboriously trace your steps in the History panel.
• Tethered capture is supported. Tethered capture allows you to store images captured in the camera directly on computer or external storage device so as to be able to more closely scrutinize the image and for immediate processing. And that is a key draw for many professional photographers working closely with clients. (For more info, please visit: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/import-photos-tethered-camera.html.) 
• As I see it, Lightroom Classic offers a more robust approach to image editing, when compared with Lightroom CC. Granted you do have to switch from the Library module to the Develop module. However, even the Library module offers a Quick Develop option, which is surprisingly effective. But switch to the Develop module and you'll find all editing controls are neatly packaged into one panel. The workflow is smooth and tightly controlled. And you can readily compare the original with the edited image, with a click.
• For my in-depth review of Lightroom Classic, with illustrative photos, please visit: ​www.pixelperfexion.net/httpswwwweeblycomeditormainphp/software-review-lightroom-classic-release-131-my-forever-home-for-image-editing

​​Red-winged Blackbird (female), North Pond, Chicago. Various tools were used to focus attention on the bird, namely to contrast her with her surroundings and make it readily apparent that the blackbird is the subject of the picture. The bird uses cryptic coloration as a very effective disguise when nesting. Or to avoid nosy photographers. Lightroom CC. Nikon D500 w/100-400mm. ©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

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Pricing. Creative Cloud Photography individual subscription plan: US $19.99/mo.
This comprehensive plan puts all essential photo tools at your disposal, encompassing not only Lightroom Classic but also Lightroom CC, Photoshop and Bridge, plus mobile apps. 
System requirements. Lightroom Classic runs on Mac or Windows. For system requirements, please visit:
​helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html
For my in-depth review of Lightroom Classic, with illustrative photos, please visit: 
www.pixelperfexion.net/httpswwwweeblycomeditormainphp/software-review-lightroom-classic-release-131-my-forever-home-for-image-editing

Release 13.1 reviewed

Barn Swallow, North Pond, Chicago. In addition to tight cropping (but not too tight), this image required various tonal adjustments to focus attention on the swallow eyeing its next meal. Masking played a key role. I'd originally edited a different take from this series, then copied the edit settings from the first picture and applied them to this one - with some exceptions. Most importantly, I replaced the Linear Gradient mask used in the other shot with a Subject Mask (adjusted to exclude the branches from the AI-generated mask). I then boosted the bird's presence without sacrificing the rimlighting that drew me to this exposure in the first place. Lightroom CC. Nikon D500 w/100-400mm.
​©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC

• Lightroom CC scales back asset management in favor of social media sharing. In fact, social sharing appears to be at the heart of the application – its raison d'être, if you will. So, if you’re just getting your feet wet in the world of digital photography or want to benefit from input of fellow photo enthusiasts around the globe or pass along some of what you’ve learned or editing techniques you’ve developed, then Lightroom CC is the right step in that direction.
• While Lightroom CC lets you work on photo assets stored locally, this application has a “loftier” goal: storage in the cloud, which is the go-to for your images. The same cloud storage allowances apply here, as noted above, beginning with 1 TB cloud storage for starters.
  TIP. Plan ahead for your storage needs if the cloud is your harbor for image editing. If you only shoot JPEG or have a small collection of images, then 1 TB should work well for some time. Keep in mind that, if you work with RAW or DNG image files, that storage space will fill up quickly.
• Lightroom CC lets you organize images within Albums and Folders. Only caveat: it’s in the cloud. You can choose to work on an Album offline, but all roads lead to the cloud eventually.
• You can export an edited image to Photoshop directly from within Lightroom CC – but only Photoshop (other image editors are not supported internally). And that assumes you have access to Photoshop. Which you don’t if you subscribe to the more basic Lightroom plan. A bit of a Catch 22 here. Perhaps a scaled-down version of Photoshop should be included with this plan, or Photoshop Elements.
  TIP. Don’t have access to Photoshop? No worries, so long as you have some other image editor. Simply direct Lightroom CC to export a high-resolution file as JPEG (with the least amount of compression) or, preferably, as uncompressed TIFF – and then open that file in an image editor – and enter the next phase of image editing.
• Lightroom CC offers Versions as an alternative to Classic's History and Snapshot functions, but not quite on the same level or with the same ease of use. What's more, Versions is strictly a cloud-based utility.
  TIP. Lightroom CC automatically generates a Version when you leave the image, so if you want CC to do that for you, simply skip over to the next image, then jump back and it’s done. Or you can manually create a Version.​

Pricing. A Lightroom individual subscription is available for $9.99/month and includes a few extras, notably the mobile apps.
System requirements. Lightroom CC runs on Mac or Windows. For system requirements, please visit: 
helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/system-requirements.html
For the latest Lightroom CC features, please visit: helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-cc/using/whats-new.html​
Version 7.1.2 reviewed

Two Herons & a Turtle, North Pond, Chicago. The Great Blue Heron has a commanding presence, with a supporting cast comprised of a basking turtle and lurking off to the left, a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron. Lens Blur was added to the mix of tonal adjustments to further de-emphasize the surroundings while focusing greater attention on the large heron. Lightroom CC. Nikon D500 w/100-400mm.
©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.

Final Analysis
Lightroom CC has been designed for a generation of photographers devoted to sharing on social media and via smartphone. Many may see it as offering a more inviting interface, involving a much simpler workflow overall, compared with Lightroom Classic. Yet, surprisingly, there’s very little of substance that’s missing. You may initially spend more time in CC searching for icons to do this and that, but the process should flow more smoothly over time – perhaps in only a matter of hours or even minutes, if you devote yourself to the application.

Lightroom CC also benefits from AI in apparently the same fashion and to the same degree as its older sibling. Classic and CC are not light years apart the way Photoshop and Photoshop Elements are, at least as I see them. Still, the two Lightrooms do occupy parallel universes, each enjoying an independent existence.

​Obviously, if you’ve never worked in Lightroom Classic, the differences won’t matter. Yes, I may have initially been intimidated by CC when I finally deigned to venture in this verse. But after sitting down over a cup of java, we ironed out our differences and I began to take those differences in stride – well, for the most part.
 
Suffice to say, my results in Lightroom CC were on a par with those achieved in Lightroom Classic. Still, I do miss the nuanced Classic touches that add just a bit more depth and flavor to the image – at least to my way of thinking, if somewhat biased by my experience working in Classic. On the other hand, if my whole universe revolved around Lightroom CC, I could live in blissful ignorance of these subtleties and bask in the light of my image editing achievements.

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Butterflies, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. This shot required masking and tonal adjustments to highlight the iridescence in the perching butterfly's wings (while also toning down the leaves) as a second butterfly fluttered overhead in a blur of motion. Lightroom CC. iPhone 7. ©Jack Neubart. All rights reserved.