Additional thoughts concerning Lightroom 15
I’ve been using Adobe software since the days when Photoshop 3 ran on machines with measured patience and careful coding, back in the 1993–94 timeframe. When Lightroom arrived around 2007, it felt like Adobe had once again nailed the balance between power and usability. Startup times were reasonable, module switching was fluid, and moving from image to image didn’t feel like wading through molasses. That history is what makes the Lightroom 15 release so frustrating. I love these products and depend on them, but the excessively long boot times (now measured 2.5 – 3 minutes) in LR 15 are simply unacceptable for a tool that’s supposed to support efficient, professional workflows.
What’s even more troubling is how sluggish Lightroom 15 feels once it finally launches. Moving from module to module or even advancing from one image to the next can involve noticeable delays (10-25 seconds), pauses, and spinning indicators that break concentration and momentum. These are not edge-case scenarios—they’re core, everyday actions. For longtime users who remember when Lightroom’s responsiveness was one of its greatest strengths, this behavior feels like a fundamental failure. Software that interrupts creative flow isn’t just inconvenient; it actively undermines the reason many of us chose Lightroom in the first place.
I still believe in Adobe’s vision and the people who build these tools, but the programmers and decision-makers need to do a better job of prioritizing performance and optimization over piling on new features. The Adobe that delivered Photoshop 3 understood the importance of efficiency, and the Lightroom team of 2008 respected the photographer’s time. Lightroom 15 should aspire to that same standard. I love the product line, but in its current state, LR 15 feels rushed and unpolished—and loyal users deserve better.