Lightroom - What Next?

[Mike Farley]

Following Adobe's recent Lightroom announcement, I have started to consider my options should I decide to switch to another application. In the short term I will be migrating to Lightroom Classic once I am satisfied it is stable. Adobe has not always had the best track record when it comes to updates, although more recent releases have been better. While I would have the option to revert to the previous version, upgrading to Lightroom Classic involves the creation of a new Catalog. If I did want to switch back, I would have to reload all the images I had added since the upgrade.

Adobe currently has a PR campaign to assure its many customers that it is committed to Lightroom Classic. The problem with that is one of credibility. The company has made similar statements in the past and a couple of years later gone back on what it said. I have been burned more than once when I have taken the company at its word. In essence, the question is whether I continue to use Lightroom and see what transpires or migrate to another application as soon as practical? If I am going to make the change, do I really want to make any more investment in my use of Lightroom than I have to?

My view is that the way forward will become obvious at some point and I could end up regretting a decision made too hastily. The new online only Lightroom CC is not as fully featured as Lightroom Classic and there other issues that will need to be addressed before Adobe can consider withdrawing the standalone version. That will not happen overnight and Adobe will be reliant on other technology changes to allow such a move. One of the reasons why I and others are hesitant now is because the transition is not fully viable. Adobe will not want to lose customers by invoking such a move before the large majority are ready.