The name is the same, but despite the apparent similarities, these are two very different programs. So what are the key differences between Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC, and how do you choose which one to use?
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Latest reviews
DxO FilmPack 5 Elite review
Verdict: 3 stars: DxO FilmPack 5 is an analog effects tool that has not had a version update since 2015. It’s all right in its own way, but it now looks both basic and expensive at the same time.
Lightroom Classic review (2021)
Verdict: 4.5 stars Lightroom Classic has had some worthwhile updates since 2020 and it’s that little bit faster and more powerful than before.
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ON1 Photo RAW 2021.5 review
Verdict: 4.3 stars ON1 Photo RAW 2021 is a terrific all-in-one photo organizing, editing and effects tool with just about the widest scope of any single program. It’s not perfect in every respect, but it’s great value and has some terrific presets.
DxO Nik Collection 4 review
Verdict: 4.5 stars DxO Nik Collection 4 is the latest version of an evergreen plug-in suite that’s as good today as ever. There are improvements, but the new look for Silver Efex Pro and Viveza put them a little out of step with the rest.
Editing articles
Photo retouching: how it works, cloning, healing and erasing explained
Photo retouching is one of a handful of basic and necessary adjustments for photos that photographers will rely on repeatedly to correct flaws or faults ahead of any creative adjustments or ‘looks’.
Perspective correction explained
Perspective correction is not necessary for most photos, but there are times when it will make the difference between an image that looks professional and one that just looks amateurish.
Cropping and straightening photos
Very often your photo editing software will be able to straighten and crop images at the same time, but there are still times you might want to treat them as two separate tasks.
HSL color editing and how it works
You’re probably used to digital images being in the RGB mode, where the full range of colors is generated with red, green and blue color ‘channels’. But most photo editing programs offer a color editing mode based around the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) color model, and this is where it gets really interesting.