Both releases include new camera support for the following models:

• Canon EOS 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F)
• Canon EOS 50D
• Fuji FinePix IS Pro
• Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS
• Leaf AFi II 6
• Leaf AFi II 7
• Leaf Aptus II 6
• Leaf Aptus II 7
• Nikon D700
• Nikon D90
• Nikon Coolpix P6000
• Olympus SP-565 UZ
• Pentax K2000 (K-m)
• Sigma DP1
• Sony A900

Lightroom 2.1 also includes a number of fixes for issues that were introduced with the Lightroom 2.0 release. The details of those fixes are listed in the Read Me file associated with the update.

The ‘release candidate’ label indicates that this update is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all of our customers. The Lightroom team would like the community to help verify the quality of this update through normal usage as this will ensure that the application is tested on a diversity of hardware and software configurations not available internally at Adobe.

By default, this Lightroom 2.1 release candidate will remove or overwrite your existing Lightroom 2.0 installation. If you wish to return to Lightroom 2.0 after installing Lightroom 2.1, simply reinstall Lightroom 2.0 from your original download file or from the CD after performing the following:

• Mac: Delete this file before reinstalling Lightroom 2.0: Library/Receipts/Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.pkg.
• Windows: Uninstall Lightroom 2.1 using the Windows add/remove program utility.

Both versions of the application share the same catalog format allowing your catalogs to be opened by either version without complications.

If you do experience an issue with this release candidate please report it to the Lightroom User to User forum.

For more information on Lightroom 2 please visit the Lightroom pages on Adobe.com

Lightroom will not install as a 64-bit application on Windows XP by default because it’s not an officially supported platform for 64-bit version. Lightroom is officially supported only on Vista x64.

But when you run the Lightroom installer and choose to “Open the Specified Folder” in the Files are Ready dialog (Be sure to uncheck the option to “Launch the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Installer”)  you’ll see an Adobe Photoshop Lightroom directory that contains “setup32″ and “setup64″ executables.

Once again, running Lightroom 2 as a 64-bit application on Windows XP x64 is not a supported configuration.

Why all the excitement about a 64-bit version of Lightroom? First of all, you should use 64-bit version of operation system if you have 4GB or more of RAM. (Or at least planning to add enough RAM in nearest future). 64-bit capable operating systems and applications can take advantage of more memory than 32-bit systems.

If you have a 64-bit environment with 4GB or more of RAM you’re most likely to see great improvement in the responsiveness of the Develop module where Lightroom is loading large amounts of information into memory.

If you remember - last April Adobe released public beta of Lightroom 2.0 - and how much buzz was in the net with its new features - particularly with localized adjustments tool. Well now it is shipping, and not only has all these features, but also some brand new too.

Price: Lightroom 2 is $299 or available as a $99 upgrade for Lightroom 1 customers. There is also 30 Day Trial available

Exam Structure

The following lists the topic areas and percentage of questions delivered in each topic area:

Number of Questions and Passing Score

Exam consists of:

• 52 questions
• 68% minimum required to pass

Anyway, are you thinking of taking the exam or have you already taken the Lightroom (or Photoshop) ACE exam? Let me know why or why not in the comments section.

• Ian Lyons’ comprehensive overview - Wow!
• Uwe Steinmueller’s overview
• A wealth of video & more from Scott Kelby’s gang in the Lightroom 2 Learning Center
• Video training from Adobe’s Julieanne Kost: Part 1 & Part 3; Part 2 is on the way. See also Julieanne’s full list of LR topics
• A one-hour training video from Colin Smith
• Gilles Theophile’s pensées (en Français)
• The Lightroom Tasmania Adventure (kicking off now)
• A few words from Tom Hogarty, Lightroom Product Manager
• A video podcast from Adobe’s Terry White

Top enhancements are:

• Localized corrections — Enhance specific areas of an image for unsurpassed nondestructive flexibility and control reminiscent of the traditional darkroom dodge and burn experience.
• Improved organizational tools — Find the images you need quickly and easily.
• Multiple monitor support — Add an additional monitor to efficiently manage photographic workflow and presentation.
• Flexible print package functionality — Create custom layouts containing multiple sizes of a photograph on a single page.
• 64-bit support — Lightroom 2.0 now takes advantage of the latest hardware architectures with improved memory handling and performance.

And the top ten enhancements from Matt Kloskowsky point of view:

1. Localized Corrections (AKA: Dodge and Burn) - If Lightroom 2 came out and this was the only new feature I’d upgrade in a heartbeat. Localized Corrections is the non-destructive dodging and burning that we’ve all wanted for so long. But I have to say this - it’s so much more. It goes WAY beyond what I expected from dodging and burning in Lightroom (which is why it’s called Localize corrections and not just dodge and burn) and I think you’re going to love it.
2. Better Photoshop Integration - Now you can open your files as Smart Objects, Merge to Panorama or even export straight to Photoshop’s HDR from Lightroom.
3. Post-crop vignetting - if you’ve ever tried to darken the edges of a cropped photo with the lens vignetting slider you’ll know it doesn’t really work. That’s where the post-crop vignette comes in.
4. Multiple Monitor support - can you say “Finally!”?
5. Picture Packages in the print module.
6. Output Sharpening in the print module and it really works this time around. I’ve seen tests compared to Lightroom 1 and the print sharpening is noticeably better.
7. Smart Collections - Collections were great in LR 1 but smart collections make using collections a lot easier.
8. Printing directly to a JPEG file in the Print module. So if you send your photos off to a lab now you can save the files right from within Lightroom’s Print module.
9. Suggested Keywords - Get this… Lightroom will start suggesting keywords to you once you start keywording your photos. It’s weird to explain so make sure you stop by NAPP’s learning center to see it in action.
10. OK, I’m going to give you two here. First there’s a new filter panel in the Library module that makes getting to your photos easier and faster because it’s right there with your photos (instead of tucked away on the left side panels). Next, the Slideshow and Web modules both have Content panels as well as Collection panels. So now you can very quickly switch slideshows without having to jump back to the Library module and choose different photos.

You can get more info about its exciting features from John Nack’s post.

Lightroom 2.0 beta builds on the success of the first Lightroom beta program and provides us, photographers with early access to next release so that we can kick the tires and ensure that this release meets our needs. Don’t delay. Download now and send them your feedback. Lightroom 2.0 beta expires at the end of August 2008.

What are you waiting for? I am already downloading it.

The Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 1.4 update includes these enhancements:

• Additional camera support for the Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi/EOS Kiss X2), Nikon D60, Sony A350, and more
• Updated printer driver compatibility for Mac OS X v10.5 (Leopard)

Lightroom 1.4 includes corrections for the following issues:

• Compatibility with legacy printer drivers on OS X 10.5 (Leopard) has been updated.
• Previous camera profiles identified in the Calibrate panel of the Develop module may have displayed poor results at extreme ends of the temperature and tint ranges. A new camera profile identified as Camera Raw 4.4 is now available and will be applied by default to all images without existing Camera Raw or Lightroom settings. The creation of new default profiles will also include the updated Camera Raw 4.4 profile. Images edited in Camera Raw or Lightroom with earlier profiles will retain the earlier profile value and visual appearance.
• In previous grayscale conversions the Color Noise setting was disabled and this could result in an image with excessive noise when grayscale channel mixing is applied. Both the tool and effect have been enabled in Lightroom 1.4 providing the ability to reduce noise in grayscale conversions. In order to return to the prior visual appearance, Color Noise reduction can be set to zero.

Lightroom 1.4 includes the following known issues:

• In the print module, deselecting the Identity Plate option when the option to render on every image is already applied will result in no change and the Identity Plate will be applied to every image. To remove the Identity plates, deselect the option to render the Identity Plates on every image then deselect the Identity Plate option.

Lightroom 1.4 Update: Macintosh | Windows

By the way Photoshop 1.0 shipped on February 19th, 1990.

This book is about what the software can do for you.

Rob Sheppard understands that technology should benefit you, the photographer, helping you create more exciting images. That’s exactly what Photoshop Lightroom does. Aided by exquisite color photos and screen shots, Rob shows you how to improve your workflow and produce better photos with Lightroom. You’ll learn to use Lightroom in the only context that matters - how it can help you become a more productive photographer.

• Use Lightroom to streamline the process of importing, managing, developing, and presenting quantities of images
• Explore nondestructive image processing and color-managed printing
• Work with tone curve, adjust white balance, fine-tune vibrance and saturation, and easily correct color
• Create your own presets to use them based on adjustments you use regularly
• Organize and manage images in the Library and set up a customized syste
• Create great prints, show-stopping slideshows, and Web galleries that showcase your skills
• Make the most of Lightroom’s integration with Photoshop

Bring out detail in highlight and shadow areas using Recovery and Fill Light controls.

Effectively optimize existing colors using Split Toning in the Before and After View.

From the Back Cover
This book is not about the software.
This book about what the software can do for you.