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Raw Files: Fix in raw converter or photoshop?
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I have recently started to shoot in raw now, craving for more creative control over images as I get better and better. It creates a few questions.
In Photoshop CS3, when opening a raw file for editing, you first need to import it, that is fine. However there are lost of options in this stage for adjusting the image such as saturation, levels, hue and many many more.
I have started off by trying to completely fix a photo in this way and do nothing in actual photo shop. For example, in the image below, I worked on it completely in raw converter and then all I did in photoshop was to convert it to a jpeg.
What do you do mostly? Only use the converter and do all your work in photoshop or do you do as much as you can in converter and then use photoshop?
Cheers.
Hi Richie,
Great question, I’m a beginner too and would like to hear more on this.
I have Photoshop 6 so can only import jpg. I just do a straight convert in PicturePlus (came with Nikon D40). I would assume that the processing in PS would be superior but that there better converters. My general rule is if an item does one job it will tend to do it better than a multitasking equivalent. Assume the same goes for software.
Nice shot btw
Sean
I suggest lightroom. I’m told you can download a free try out of V3 for 30 days or something.
I use light room once on a mates computer. It was a while since I did though. What can you do with it?
e.g. is it a raw only solution or can you edit a photo completely?
I find it fantastic. Take a series of images, pick an average one, set the white balance, adjust the shadow and highlight, adjust the sharpness, saturation etc, heal the dust bunnies and then apply (Sync)to the collection. Rate them with stars up to 5 and then sort out the good ones. Export them then for say 10×8 to remove the crisp packet etc or if that is not needed just print using profiles to your printer. You still have the history states if you want to go back and do other things.
You can now sort and store your files in a database that can search by keywords, camera model, lens, date or whatever.
Cool cheers, I will look into it.
So would it be fair to say that lightroom would be able to fully process a high quality photograph…. where as photo shop is used for when more work is needed e.g. backgrounds need to be added or textures applied?
I agree with the comments about Lightroom. I was using Photoshop on and off for a few years and while I could use it for what I needed to get done, I found it quite cumbersome around file management as I always ended up saving 2 or 3 versions of a photo I was working on. This meant I tended not to carry out minor adjustments to images.
Since I started using Lightroom about a year ago it has made adjusting my photos so much easier. As it’s non destructive I’m more inclined to make changes and as it’s so quick and easy to use you can get through a batch of photos in no time. It also makes it easier to work with RAW files
Lightroom has the same controls as Adobe Camera Raw and you can also edit JPEGs. I now use Lightroom for the vast majority of my edits. It also integrates very easily with Photoshop if you need to do more complex work.
Mark
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