What's new in Adobe Lightroom CC (pictures)

Adobe's overhauled the import interface, added a dehaze to the adjustment brush and streamlined the import of Photoshop Elements catalogs.

Lori Grunin

I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.

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Lori Grunin

Oct. 5, 2015 9:57 a.m. PT

1 of 6 Screen capture by Lori Grunin/CNET

New import interface

Every time you add photos, you have to go through this screen. It's less intimidating and more touch-friendly than the previous interface, but I prefer not having to go through the extra screen.

2 of 6 Screen capture by Lori Grunin/CNET

Overboard?

The new import interface puts a large overlay on all the thumbnails -- once again, more touch-friendly. I thought this meant these images had already been imported, but no -- these are the new ones. I'm not fond of this interface.

3 of 6 Screen capture by Lori Grunin/CNET

Tool search

Can't find what you're looking for? You can now search for tools, and it will even show you where they are. Unfortunately, here I was trying to find out what Auto Sync was (and if it was different than the existing Auto Sync). No luck.

4 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET

Local dehaze

By painting on the mask with the adjustment brush, I was able to bring out the scenery in the background (original on left, retouched on right).

5 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET

Local vs. global dehaze

Local dehaze, which appears as a slider under the adjustment brush, is a really welcome feature. On the left you can see the effect of the global dehaze, versus applying it just to the mountains in the background (right).

6 of 6 Screen capture by Lori Grunin/CNET

Braving the Elements

Lightroom now has a one-click interface for importing Photoshop Elements catalogs. It didn't seem to bring in all my recognized faces, though it kept the names as tags on the photos. In order for you to get the faces in, you have to start face recognition for the entire catalog; then it takes the tagged faces and adds them.