Editing Overview

We continue our look at editing video from a photographer’s point of view. Be sure to check out these earlier articles (Why edit in Photoshop and The editing process).

If you have Adobe Creative Cloud, you have three different choices when it comes to editing video. Additionally, the many suite configurations often put many software packages into the hands of Adobes customers. Many users often wonder which tool is right for their workflow. With so many choices, which is the right one? The answer it depends.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe-Photoshop-IconWhen it comes to editing video, the toolset in Photoshop CS6 can best be described as a streamlined approach. If youre working on a properly configured system (covered in depth in Chapter 2) you’ll likely find editing an enjoyable experience. Photoshop is well-designed for editing videos that are often considered short-form (typically less than 10-minutes in length).

Photoshop offers an intuitive timeline and easy to use tools for color correction. It however lacks media management tools to organize your source files and a relatively limited control over adjusting and fixing audio. Still told, I firmly think Photoshop is the perfect tool for most photographers and designers as it gives enough control and performance that editing is fun and professional outcomes are easier to achieve.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Adobe-Lightroom-IconIf youre looking for the ability to mix videos into slideshows or create a simple assembly of clips, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom works well. You can use the Quick Develop panel to fix issues with exposure, contrast, vibrance, white balance, and more. You can also adjust the In and Out points of a clip to trim unwanted portions of a clip. While you won’t find a true timeline, you can still add multiple clips to a slideshow or combine them with photos. The important thing to remember is that while Adobe documentation refers to it as editing video, youre really only trimming clips and color grading. While this functionality is great, it pales in comparison to Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe-Premiere-Pro-IconAdobes professional editing solution is Adobe Premiere Pro. This application is very robust but can often be intimidating to newer users who lack experience in working with video. My recommendation for most photographers and designers is to start with Photoshop and master its features. Once you have that as a base, you can branch out to Adobe Premiere Pro if Photoshop starts to feel limiting. If youre a Creative Cloud or Creative Suite customer, you may have access to Adobe Premiere Pro.
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