After using PSD for many years as the file format for my Master Files (with layers, masks, channels, etc.) I have recently become convinced to switch to TIF for this…. Jeff Schewe and Andrew Rodney make a strong case for TIF in a thread on the Luminous Landscape forum.
Click here to read the thread
I’m teaching a two-day Lightroom class this coming weekend in downtown Denver. I will cover the program in its entirety, as well as demonstrating my complete digital photo workflow using Lightroom and Photoshop.
For details and registration click here
Lots of people are asking about sharpening in Lightroom. Although the sharpening functions are greatly improved in version 1.2, it’s important to keep in mind that the sharpening in Lightroom is designed only to be used for capture sharpening – that is, to overcome the loss of sharpness inherent in any digital capture. More aggressive sharpening, and sharpening specifically for print, is still best done in Photoshop.
I prefer to do all my sharpening in Photoshop using PhotoKit Sharpener from Pixel Genius.
The exception is if I’m making quick slideshows or web galleries from DNG files in Lightroom (without editing them in Photoshop)… in this case, I will apply sharpening in Lightroom using the default values.
Otherwise, before editing my Master File in Photoshop, I turn off sharpening in Lightroom by setting the Amount slider to 0.
I’m optimistic that in the near future the guys at Pixel Genius will release a full-featured sharpening module for Lightroom. Until then, PhotoKit is still the best sharpening method available.
I’ve been in Maine for a week, heading home today… here’s one selection from among 1500 photographs made in the last 5 days. This was on one of the nature trails around Jordan Pond in Acadia NP.
Canon 30D, Tamron 18-200 XR Di II. In the interest of extreme minimalism in gear, I’ve been using this single lens for the past month; so far I like it… it’s nice to travel light, and the images from this lens are very good – though I miss the IS from Canon 28-135. Tamron has announced a new 28-300 lens with VC (Vibration Compensation) but have delayed shipping of the Canon-mount version due to reported technical problems. We’ll see where that goes…
Martin Evening has written a very informative article on Lightroom-News.com about integrating all the key players in the professional Photoshop line. (Hint: the main elements of his technique utilize Favorites and Hot Folders.)
New Fiber-Based Technology Delivers Look and Feel of Revered Darkroom Paper with the Creative Benefits Epson Ink Jet Printers Offer in Both Color and Black-and-White
Press Release: LONG BEACH, Calif. – Oct. 8, 2007 – Epson America Inc. today announced what many professional photographers are saying is the perfect blend of revered darkroom papers with the limitless creative control of ink jet printing with the introduction of its Signature Worthyâ„¢ Exhibition Fiber Paper. The paper will be available in 25-sheet packages of 8.5â€x 11,†13â€x 19,†17â€x 22,†and 24â€x 30†cut sheets.
Lightroom is a fast, lightweight application that can run quickly on not-so-fast computers. But if you find Lightroom to be running slowly, there are several ways you can improve its performance:
The Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) plug-in will run from within Photoshop and Bridge.
To apply a saved preset or ACR default settings to multiple images, select all the desired raw image files in Bridge and then either double-click one of them or press CTRL+O (or the Command [Apple Key]+O on Mac).
This opens all the selected files in Filmstrip mode in ACR. You will see all the chosen files in a vertical filmstrip running down the left side of the window.
From here, you can choose to apply a preset to all or some of the images (use Select All, Shift Select, Control Select etc.).
You can then continue to fine-tune settings for individual images.
When you’re done adjusting settings in ACR, use the Save Image…, Open or Done buttons to move them through the workflow.
Using this method, you can batch process large numbers of images in ACR and save them, for example, as resized JPGs for web, DNG files with embedded metadata, whatever.
Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Canon 10D handheld, 75-300 lens.
To see more of my work please visit
www.NathanielCoalson.com
Over on Lightroom-News, Martin Evenin has posted an interesting article about curves controls in Lightroom and how they differ from the curves in Photoshop.
Close-up photograph of a rusty car fender, Cranbrook, Alberta, BC. Canon 30D, 28-135 IS lens.
Many people ask whether it’s better to use Bridge or Lightroom.
I use both, for different purposes.
If I need to quickly find an image and I know its location, or I need to quickly look into a folder full of images, I will use Bridge.
However, I use Lightroom for transfering raw captures to the computer, adding metadata, ranking, cropping, and processing (developing) the raw images. I go as far as possible within Lightroom before I take a file into Photoshop, usually only for sharpening, selective/localized editing such as dodging and burning, or soft-proofing prior to printing.
The key differences between Lightroom and Bridge:
1. Lightroom is a standalone product and must be purchased separately; Bridge comes included with full versions of Photoshop.
2. Lightroom uses a powerful database to perform non-destructive editing (with unlimited undos) and provides for very fast searching within large numbers of images. Bridge is a file browser, meaning it can show you the contents of a folder and will preview files, but doesn’t keep track of the status or settings for any of the images.
3. Lightroom has a raw processing engine built-in, Bridge uses the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) plug-in. However, the raw processors in current versions of Lightroom and Bridge/ACR are essentially identical.
Personally, for the majority of reviewing and editing my photos, I generally prefer Lightroom for its streamlined workflow and its database capabilities. But for people who don’t wish to spend the money or take the time to learn a new program, Bridge with ACR is a totally competent solution.
To get more sensitivity from the sliders in the Develop module in Lightroom, expand the right panel track so that it’s much wider than the default. The “wider sliders” will allow finer adjustment with your mouse. To stretch the panels, position your mouse over the edge of the panel track. You will see the cursor change to a horizontal set of arrows separated by a vertical bar. Click and drag to stretch the panel track.
You can also adjust the slider values by using the up and down arrows on your keyboard; just make sure your cursor is over the chosen slider (the name of the adjustment will light up) and press the up and down arrow keys to adjust the values. Note that sliders have different values that they are adjusted by this method. Holding the Shift key will provide adjustments in greater increments when using the arrow keys.
And don’t forget, you can always double-click on the numberic value to enter a specific value.
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