from Tim Grey

I use PS, LR, Bridge and BreezeBrowser. Lightroom is SLOW, I mean painfully. Just to render images from one wedding takes hours and hours. Bridge is faster than LR but still MUCH slower than BreezeBrowser. I love BreezeBrowser! I have been using it for years and it is part of my regular workflow, for organizing, for culling and ranking images, for proofing and emailing, etc. I love BreezeBrowser! Lisa

Directly from Tim Grey's DDQ

Today's Question:
Regarding yesterday's question, given that Bridge comes as part of Photoshop and so is completely integrated, what possible reason could there be to use Breeze Browser anyway? I know Mr. Morris is high on Breeze Browser but I can't see the benefit of a separate application when I've got one built in. Is there something I'm missing?

Tim's Answer:
I wouldn't say there's something your missing, per se, but rather that there are obviously a variety of solutions available for a given set of needs, and a variety of reasons a photographer might choose one solution over another. Some of this comes down to familiarity and comfort level. In the case of Arthur Morris, he has developed a very efficient workflow for sorting and reviewing his images with Breeze Browser. He is very familiar with the many different features and capabilities of Breeze Browser, and thus is able to take full advantage of what it has to offer. So in his case, the question might be, "Why make a switch to something I'm not familiar with, even though it offers some benefits in terms of integration?" Sure, Bridge comes with Photoshop at no extra charge, whereas you would need to buy Breeze Browser, so it might not seem very compelling. But Breeze Browser is considerably faster at a variety of tasks compared to Bridge, so there is most certainly some very real advantages.

One of the things I attempt to underscore on a regular basis is that there often isn't a single correct answer for all photographers under all circumstances. And sometimes there isn't even necessarily a clear winner, despite the fact that when you get down to some of the specific details there are certainly differences. I also try to remind photographers that in many cases the best solution is the one you're already using, because it is a solution you're familiar with and comfortable with. There's no sense changing just for the sake of change, and if something is working for you, you'd really need a strong reason to make a switch (or at least I think it is a good idea to ensure you have a strong reason).

So, if you feel like Bridge is meeting your needs, I don't think you should be compelled to make a change. However, if you find there are frustrations (such as that Bridge can be a bit slow at times) or features you'd like that aren't available (for example, geo-tagging images, which is supported by Breeze Browser).

I do think it makes sense to periodically take a look at alternative solutions to see if something better (for your specific workflow and needs) might be available. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases you can download a free trial version of software applications to try them out for yourself and see whether it might provide a good solution for you.

There are many arguments in favor of many different solutions. Some of these come down to perceived stability of the company that produces the software, personal preference, specific performance metrics, particular features, and many other considerations. Often a choice comes down more to nuance than clear advantages, and I think that's OK. The bottom line is, I don't think you should feel compelled to consider any particular application, but I do think it is a good idea to be aware of what's out there so you gain a better sense of what your best option is, and so that your decision is a deliberate one.

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