A recent question from a colleague:
I want to convert all the photos in my Lightroom catalog to DNG. Should I check
the "delete originals after successful conversion" box?
My answer:
I delete all the original camera raw files after conversion to DNG but not everyone has so much confidence in DNG vs. native camera raw.
The way I see it, DNG stands as good (or better) chance of being supported years in the future than do the native raw files. But this remains to be seen.
I don’t see a need to retain the original camera files after conversion.
If you have any concern whatsoever about this, archive the original raw files before deleting them from your master library.
(You also have the option to store the original raw file within the DNG, effectively doubling its size.)
Adobe has more info about all this at
http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/index.html
Moab Photo Workshop last weekend
I’m home and fully recovered from my 4-day trip to Utah to teach a workshop with Bret Edge. It was a big success and we worked very long, productive days. We had six students (a perfect group size for two instructors) and everyone had a great time and learned a lot. We shot sunrise and sunset in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and during the day held digital darkroom classes and critiques. Bret did a great job putting this together and we’re already planning more. Stay tuned…
Back to Writing my Lightroom book
With no plans for travel in the coming weeks, I’m back to writing full time. I will be sending final files to the publisher end of November then it’s off to the printer. The book, which covers the complete Lightroom workflow with lots of shortcuts and timesaving tips, (as of yet untitled) is scheduled to hit stores February 2009.
Canon 5D Mark II
I’ve preordered Canon’s new DSLR, the long-awaited successor to the popular 5D. It’s supposed to ship mid to late November. I ordered the kit with the 24-105 L lens; I’m really looking forward to getting it!
More info from Canon here
I’m teaching a workshop with Bret Edge in Moab Oct 23-26. We’ll be shooting the canyon country sunrise/sunset and holding digital workflow classes during the day. If you’re in the area, give me a shout.
info here
Adobe has released the 2.1 version upgrade for Lightroom. This is an important upgrade for all Lightroom users. If you’re running LR 2.0 this upgrade is free.
Download it here
Unnowingly using multiple Lightroom catalogs is dangerous.
Make sure you always know what catalog you’re working in. If you accidentally do some of your photo work in one catalog, and more work in another catalog, you stand a good chance of losing some of that work.
Most photographers can work with just one master catalog. If you need to separate personal from work photography, that makes sense for multiple catalogs. But again, always know what catalog file you have open in Lightroom!
To open a different catalog:
When Lightroom is running, you can use the Open Catalog… command (File menu) to find and open a specific catalog. Or hold Option/Alt while starting Lightroom.
Use OS X or Windows search functions to find all the catalogs on your system and get rid of unnecessary ones. And back up the important ones.
When you upgrade Lightroom from version 1 to version 2, you need to upgrade your catalog (database file) also.
You only need to do this once. If you know you’ve already completed an upgrade from v1 to v2, STOP!! Lightroom is trying to load the wrong catalog.
Use the options on the dialog box to find and load your most recent catalog.
Adobe has announced it’s shipping Creative Suite 4, which includes a major upgrade to Photoshop.
There’s a page on Adobe’s site describing the benefits of Lightroom 2 and Photoshop CS4 together.
Read it here
Camera Raw 4.6 and the DNG Converter 4.6 has been posted to Adobe.com for Mac and Windows . This will be the last Camera Raw update for CS3 customers and it includes support for raw formats from the following 15 camera models:
- Canon 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F)
- Kodak EasyShare Kodak Z1015 IS
Adobe is moving quickly towards updates specific to the Camera Raw 5 and the CS4 release. Also expected soon is the official update for Lightroom 2.1.
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