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john2577640
Participating Frequently
June 17, 2021
Question

Photo merge, Lightroom Classic versus Photoshop engines

  • June 17, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 1947 views

Hi, do these 2 programmes use the identical engines and produce identical results please?

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

TheDigitalDog
TheDigitalDog
Inspiring
June 17, 2021
@john2577640 wrote:

Hi, do these 2 programmes use the identical engines and produce identical results please?

If the image data starts as raw, no; the 'engines' differ due to the data itself.

Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
J
john2577640Author
Participating Frequently
June 21, 2021

Thanks John, so if we assume Raw, which gives the superior result if it is clear and descernable? Thanks, John

johnrellis
johnrellis
Legend
June 21, 2021

"if we assume Raw, which gives the superior result if it is clear and descernable?"

 

In my experience, when both LR and PS successfully merge, it's hard to tell the difference. That's why I first do the merge in LR, and only if I'm dissatisfied with the results, do I try PS. But maybe others observe something different.

 

LR's merge produces a 16-bit demosaiced DNG, while PS's merge produces a 16-bit TIFF/PSD in the Prophoto color space (similar to the color space used by LR), so both will have pretty much all the flexibility in further editing that the original raws do.

 

If others see noticeable differences, it would be great to see an actual example so we can all understand better.

    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    June 17, 2021

    They often don't produce identical results.  When LR doesn't give satisfactory results, often you can get better results in PS.

      @MNiessenPhoto
      @MNiessenPhoto
      Legend
      June 17, 2021

      I haven't had any issues in the past few months, but I've encountered quite a few cases over the years where Lightroom couldn't merge (whatever the projection) and Photoshop could, so unless the cause can be attributed to how the GPU is used in both applications or something else, I would say they are different engines.

      What I do by default is merge in LrC, which is fine 99+% of the time.If it fails completely or gives an completely distorted and useless result, I try it in Photoshop (sometimes succesfully, sometimes not, which reminds me I should be more careful when taking pictures).

      Michael

      _____________

      Michael Niessen - Photographer, photo-editor, educator

      Photo-editing (Ps/Lr/LrC) and photography workshops & one-on-one training (off- and online)
        J
        john2577640Author
        Participating Frequently
        June 21, 2021

        Thanks. 

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