Work Flow?

[Firestarter]

Well, I have never even opened the DPP application. Not because I got something against it - I just don't have any need for it. As I mentioned in another thread, I have had some use for Aperture, but then I switched to Lightroom - full time. Of course, I also use Photoshop for more complicated tasks, but Lightroom became my main tool.





Bridge used to always get in my way, so I stopped using it altogether. Again, Lightroom replaced its functionality for me. I know, they are not the same, but for my purpose, Lightroom does everything I want it to do.





I hear a lot that the DPP gives better results with Canon RAW files than Aperture, Lightroom or ACR. I refuse to believe it. In my view, it does not matter much which application you use for routine adjustments and corrections. It depends more on your way of using any given app. When I have a need for more than routine corrections, I go to Photoshop.





As for my path from camera to print (or Internet), it is not as strict and automated as many would approach that. I have a luxury of more unhurried approach.





I start with downloading photos from the memory card to my external hard drive - always using card reader (never directly from the camera). All my photos are in RAW format, so that simplifies things a bit. I have a system for archiving my original photos, where I place them within folders in a hierarchy based on this scheme: DIGITAL > CAMERA USED > YEAR > MONTH > DAY > EVENT. I have separate hierarchy for my old ANALOG scans (I am sure this is not perfect or ideal or even most logical scheme, but it works fine for me). Then, I fire up Lightroom and import photos from folders without copying them to the catalog. Instead, I ask Lightroom to make an extra copy to a location on another external hard drive IN DNG FORMAT (just to be safe, for the future).





Then comes a routine of rating and assigning keywords. Corrections and adjustments come next. If I need JPEGs for Internet or for commercial printing, I export them to a separate folder. JPEGs never even enter my Lightroom catalog (unless I get some 3rd party photos from my family or friends for correction). After specific use, I simply delete them. If I need to print, I do it from within Lightroom. If I need a slideshow or a web gallery, I also use Lightroom for that.





So what do I need Photoshop for? Selections, masks, layers, channels, compositing. Other than that, everything is done with Lightroom.





I have to admit, that I still use an old dyesub printer which prevents me from using any kind of custom profiling. I am about to get rid of it and buy an ink-jet. When I'll do that, I will be using Photoshop for printing - probably exclusively, because printing from Photoshop is more color-managed and precise than printing from Lightroom.

[Daniel Browning]

• Pop the card in
• Run import preset in Lightroom
• Rinse and repeat
• Make rough metadata changes to dozens at a time (custom white balance, etc.)
• Generate 1:1 previews
• Go roast some coffee, mmm.
• Cull the losers and separate the "wow!" from the "meh."
• Fine tune in Lightroom.
• If Adobe isn't cutting it, switch to DPP, RawTherapee, or RPP.
• 
  <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="content-type" />
  Final modifications in Photoshop
• Send to print
• Add keywords, ratings, etc.

[Bill W]

Download from camera to LR, cull, make improvements (?) and then transfer to CS3 at 16 bits. If necessary a few more tweaks, crop and then save as jpeg.


I rarely to never use DPP.


I backup RAWs on my 2nd internal HD and then to 2 external HDs w/some of the WOW jpegs.


Firestarter; why do you "never directly download from the camera"? Maybe it is my imagination, but the pix seem to download faster camera to LR w/my setup.


Regards


Bill

[Firestarter]

Firestarter; why do you "never directly download from the camera"? Maybe it is my imagination, but the pix seem to download faster camera to LR w/my setup.

Well, the reason I always use a card-reader is an old habit from the time I was shooting many more photos than I do now. I just didn't want to tie up my camera doing unproductive transfer and draining the battery at the same time. Back then, reading and writing speeds of memory cards were much slower than they are now. Besides, I believe that the transfer between camera and computer is done via a USB2 cable (am I wrong?). I use FireWire readers, so my way of transferring gigabytes of photos is actually faster.



<div>

I don't understand what you mean that Bridge always got in your way. For me it works seamlessly together with Camera RAW and Photoshop.

<div>I guess it is just a matter of personal preference. Bridge is a separate application that has to be learned and used in addition to Photoshop. I much preferred to use the file browser integrated in earlier versions of Photoshop CS. I hear that in CS5 Adobe revived that idea (mini-Bridge). When Lightroom came along, Bridge became obsolete for me. I like Lightroom's all-inclusive workflow much better.</div>
</div>

[tkerr]

<div>

I don't understand what you mean that Bridge always got in your way. For me it works seamlessly together with Camera RAW and Photoshop.

<div>I guess it is just a matter of personal preference. Bridge is a separate application that has to be learned and used in addition to Photoshop. I much preferred to use the file browser integrated in earlier versions of Photoshop CS. I hear that in CS5 Adobe revived that idea (mini-Bridge). When Lightroom came along, Bridge became obsolete for me. I like Lightroom's all-inclusive workflow much better.</div>
</div>
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Well, Lightroom is also a separate application that has a steeper learning curve than Bridge, which also needs to be learned in Addition to Photoshop. Especially if you want to work with your files properly and easier between the two applications. Also, Lightroom cost an additional $299.00 where-as Bridge and Camera RAW are included as part of the Photoshop CS* Package that is currently $699.00.


Having said that. I like the work flow that Bridge, Camera Raw and Photoshop offer in an easy to use package deal. But, I too use Lightroom when it comes to downloading, organizing and cataloging my pictures, as well as basic adjustments plus a little more. But, like I mentioned previously there are times when I just open Photoshop, and that is where I get the most use form Bridge, more specifically the Mini-Bridge. For me that makes navigating and loading images into Photoshop a lot easier than using windows explorer.


A Mini Lightroom within Photoshop that works like mini bridge would be nice.


Anyways, I was just wondering what you meant by, Bridge Always got in your way. If you already have Lightroom I can understand that, But for those who don't I doubt it would get in their way.


I'm not sure, but I heard somewhere that Photoshop Elements also works with Both Bridge and Camera RAW now also. Can anyone confirm this? For people who don't want to, or cannot, drop $699.00 for CS5 that might be a good package to work with.

[Alan]

• Go roast some coffee, mmm.

<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one. That is DEFINITELY a part of my work flow! []

[tkerr]

• Go roast some coffee, mmm.

<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that one. That is DEFINITELY a part of my work flow! [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]
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That goes without saying, That's the first thing in my work flow. []

[DLS]

TKerr,


My workflow is simple as well


1: Card ----&gt; folder on HD


2:folder----&gt; to Lightroom 3


3: Organizing, scrapping, initial edits


4: Edit in PS as needed either as jpeg or TIFF (8 and/or 16 bit)


5. More organizing in LR


5. Export to HD and


That

[tkerr]

4: Edit in PS as needed either as jpeg or TIFF (8 and/or 16 bit)


5. More organizing in LR


5. Export to HD and
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

Speaking for myself, Converting to Jpeg, would be the last thing I do, and only if I am going to share them on the Internet. Especially If I am working back and forth between Lightroom and Photoshop.

[Richard Lane]

Card to Folder on Hard Drive, then copy Folder to Backup Hard Drive


Import Images to Aperture Library but leave Images in their original folder.


Flag the good ones.


Rate the flagged ones.


Edit the best ones with some PP in Aperture.


Also have Automatic Time Machine Backup every hour.





SInce, I like having the originals stored in their own folder, Is there any way to delete the originals in the folder simultaneously while deleting them from the Aperture Library?


This will help save space.





Rich