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.
I got this question recently:
“When I am browsing through my extensive photos files, do I need to import each one into Lightroom to look at it? I like how with Bridge I can access anything quickly. If I had to import each item I wanted to look at first, that seems like a waste of time. Ideas on this? Much thanks.”
My answer:
Peter Krogh, author of the popular The DAM Book, has posted a new white paper on the Adobe web site:
Non-Destructive Imaging: An Evolution of Rendering Technology
“With the rapid adoption of raw photography in commercial as well as amateur circles, the basic concepts of non-destructive imaging are increasingly important. But non-destructive workflows are not new. In this paper Peter Krogh leads you through a detailed outline of these evolving rendering technologies, and describes their relevance to every digital photographer.”
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.)
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.
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.
Peter Krogh, author af the DAM Book, has released a software product called RapidFixer that enables basic raw conversion adjustments directly within Bridge CS3, including
• Temperature
• Tint
• Split Tone Presets
• Vibrance
• Saturation
• Blue HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance)
• Orange HSL
• Exposure
• Highlight Recovery
• Fill Light
• Contrast
• Clarity
• Vignette
• Parametric curves
Check it out hereÂ
1. Capture – digital camera (or film scan)
- For D-SLR, capture in RAW if possible
- If capturing JPG be sure quality, color space and white balance settings are optimal
- Ensure correct exposure and focus – bracket as necessary
2. Ingest – transfer files to computer
- Automate as much as possible
- Adobe Lightroom, Photo Downloader, Bridge etc.
- Rename files on ingestion
- Convert Camera RAW files to Adobe DNG (optional but highly recommended)
- Make a backup immediately
- Reformat card in the camera after confirming transfer and backup
3. Add Metadata
- During ingestion if possible; enhance during editing
- Copyright notice and keywords at minimum
- Camera RAW files will use sidecar files for metadata
- DNG, JPG, PSD and TIF metadata is embedded in the file
4. Review/Edit
- Lightroom, Bridge, Expression Media, iView Media Pro, Elements Organizer
- Sort and compare
- Flagging, Rating, Labeling etc.
- Enhance custom metadata as appropriate
- Make Collections
5. Process Selects
- RAW/DNG converter – do as much processing as possible before conversion
- For JPG originals: Save As PSD before working on the file (never resave over a JPG)
- save Master File (TIF or PSD) at native resolution
6. Work the Master File
- Work on file at native resolution – no resampling until print time
- Crop (if necessary)
- Capture sharpen
- Adjustment Layers: Levels, Curves, Hue & Saturation etc.
- Dodge and burn
- Creative sharpening
- Retouching
7. Prepare for Printing
- Soft-proof and make adjustments – save in Master file
- Resize for print
- Sharpen for Print
8. Print
- Print from Photoshop or Lightroom with color management disabled in printer driver
- Photoshop (or Lightroom) Manages Color; use the same rendering intent used during soft-proofing
- Use correct ICC profile for selected printer/paper combination
- View finished prints in controlled lighting conditions – SoLux bulbs
- Apply protective coating – PremierArt Print Shield
- For canvas prints apply Breathing Color Glamour II Giclee Veneer
- Store prints in poly bags
- Keep out of direct sunlight
9. Share
- Generate slideshows and web galleries using Lightroom or Bridge
10. Backup and Archive
- Keep multiple copies; store permanent archives offsite
- Backups are routinely updated (synchronized); archives are permanent
Adobe is continuing their series of free, online seminars about their most important photo-processing software products and techniques for getting the most out of them. More info
Following is the current workflow I’m using for the bulk of my digital imaging work. This workflow has been refined from over a decade of image processing, and uses the latest available software.
Raw/DNG Image Workflow, starting from the camera memory card:
It can be overwhelming to begin sorting through a day’s shoot, which may contain thousands of image files.
To make it easier, start ranking your images early in the workflow, beginning with 1 star for images that pass your basic requirements. Then filter your previews to only show 1-star images, and move on to assigning 2 stars, and so on. You will find that as you work your way toward 4 and 5 stars, you have much fewer images to deal with. This will dramatically cut your time selecting photos to be taken through final processing.
In my workflow, images that make it to 4 stars will be processed for printing or web. 5 star images are those that have made it into my portfolios.
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