The systems are considerably different in how they approach workflow, Phase One evolving from a strict tethered-shoot-to-folder structure, Photoshop as an editing system rather than a workflow solution, and Lightroom trying to bridge the gap left in capture workflow by Photoshop. Without going into great detail here, we’re going to cover that in a separate review, but suffice to say, the three systems are evolving closer together every year. Photoshop and Bridge are a very powerful system adaptable to a viable workflow, resembling much of what we have seen in Lightroom. Lightroom is constantly improving it’s Photoshop-like editing capabilities, and Phase One is gradually adding features, (the Spotting Tool, notably, in v5.1) that make it less likely the photographer will have to bring images into Photoshop for a final polish.

 
Here’s a quick example of the workflow in Bridge/Photoshop. Images are sorted and selected in Bridge (now with some fairly powerful tools for classifying and categorizing images, like Smart Collections), and then the files are opened in Adobe Camera RAW. Once in Camera RAW, all the editing features are available, including localized burning and dodging, and a clone/heal tool.

Adobe Camera RAW Workspace

Lightroom combines the browser (Bridge) with the editing tools in one interface, controlled by the workflow tabs.

Adobe Lightroom Tabs

 
Here is an example of the “Develop” workspace, in the Lightroom 3 beta version.

Adobe Lightroom 3 Workspace

Phase One is based on the same interface and workflow they introduced with their first Medium Format Digital Back camera software; a tab system that allows the user to work from left to right, from organizing the folder and capture structure, through processing, output settings, and

Phase One - Icons

batch processing.

Here’s an example of the icons from that tab system, showing the various steps in the process, with a little peek at something that Phase offers that the others don’t: an integrated camera tethering function, showing camera-specific information and controls.

Here is the workspace, showing some of the adjustment controls.

Phase One Capture One Pro Workspace

Although the three systems are evolving in very similar ways, of the three the Bridge/Photoshop process is the least able to be modified or customized to fit the user’s needs or tastes. In fact, the user has to work around some built-in fixtures to allow the use as a workflow solution. C1Pro and Lightroom are more easily customizable, and of those, C1Pro is probably the most easily modifiable. By simply dragging the tools to the Quick tab you can sort out and organize the tools you need access to.