All indications are you use either Photoshop or Lightroom. If you are editing one image at a time, they would both work, but I'll be you use Photoshop. But if being efficient is your goal, you will want to invest in Lightroom.

Like Photoshop, though, Lightroom is getting more and more complex to use. I have to admit I don't use all of its features, though I know I will be a whole lot more efficient if I did.

There are a few resources for you to learn how to use Lightroom to its fullest capacity:

Mastering Lightroom: The Library Module

This is an e-book by fine art photographer and author Andrew Gibson. You can buy Mastering Lightroom: The Library Module from Andrew's website, or here at PhotoDough.com for the next few days for $7. Andrew is well-known for his concise writing and clear teaching style. Learn more about Mastering Lightroom here.

Lightroom 5 Unmasked

Lightroom 5 Unmasked is an e-book by Piet Van den Eynde and distributed by Craft & Vision. It's 356 pages deep. If you are ready to go in for a deep dive, this might be the one you want to consider. If you are still using Lightroom 4, however, you may want to buy this e-book by Piet Van den Eynde instead. Also check out out other ebooks by Piet Van den Eynde here. Either version is $20 each. Both are well-researched, provide interesting case studies and are exquisitely designed with a wonderful array of visual examples.

Adobe Lightroom 5 The Missing FAQ

This tome by Victoria Bampton, an Adobe Community Professional & Certified Expert for Lightroom, is very well regarded in the industry because Victoria constantly finds ways to upgrade it and make it better as Adobe tinkers with the program. If you have a question about Lightroom, this is the go-to-guide for you. It's about $50 for both the e-book and paperback versions. I would get both if I were you. Also, get a flavor of her writing through this free Lightroom 5 Quick Start Guide.

There are obviously other fantastic resources available for learning Lightroom, but I wanted to get these three resources in front of you as they are likely to appeal to someone who wants to get their feet wet in Lightroom quickly.

If you are one of them and you buy any of these e-books, would you please come back here and tell me what you thought of them? Thank you!

Get 25% off before midnight on 12/31 when you order all 5 of e-books. Use code: seshu25

I have been following David duChemin's blog, PixelatedImage for quite some time. In my mind, it's a “must-read” blog for photographers. Period.

David has recently been on a writing binge outside of his blog – conceptualizing and expressing himself about the art and approach to photography through e-books.

Ten Ways To Improve Your Craft

Ten More Ways To Improve Your Craft

Drawing The Eye Creating Stronger Images Through Visual Mass

Chasing The Look: 10 Ways to Improve The Aesthetics of Your Photographs

The Inspired Eye: Notes on Creativity for Photographers, Vol.I

These are no doubt beautifully illustrated and designed. Yet, it's the thoughtfully conceived notes, each a page or so long, that make these so easy to read and absorb. Reading them feels like a friend saying it like it is. The first two have creative exercises that urge you to try out what David has just taught you.

Here's the thing – you could sit in a stuffy room and get lectured at or you can choose to be gently led into the art and science of photography. Which would you go for? No brainer!

Now, in full disclosure, other than the first e-book, David made sure I received the others for review here. I can't thank him enough for his gifts, but the high-praise I reserve for him or his e-books are in no way connected to his generosity. The e-books are simply a terrific investment at $5 each. If you are serious about your photography and want a little guidance, these are your tickets to get on the journey. I have learned a great deal from them and I know that when I am out photographing a wedding, I'll have these valuable lessons by my side.

And today, yes, December 24, happens to be David's birthday … so show him some love and buy all five of his e-books (more coming, says he) today! It would make for one heckuva Christmas gift to your favorite photographer, too!