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RAW Workflow

The first step in any raw workflow is to get the raw files from the camera and on to computer. Some users will only use the software that comes with their camera, and connect the camera to the computer by USB or firewire. Others prefer to take the card out of the camera and use a card reader. It doesn't really matter which way you do it. I have set up folders under the 'My Pictures' folder (contained in the 'My Documents' folder) and I have given them date names, for example '2006'. Within this folder I have sub folders which I usually give descriptive names - like 'Tenerife' or 'New England'. Again it isn't really important how you set your folders up. What is important is the handling and management of the files in the folders. For example in my 'Tenerife' folder I have all the raw (or in my case NEF) files, I also have sub folders called 'working', 'for print', etc.

Step one: copy from camera to computer

So, for example I have been on holiday to Tenerife and I come back and copy all my raw files to the 'Tenerife' folder. Once that is done I fight off the temptation to start viewing them, because if I did I would want to start working with them!

Step two: covert them to DNG

I covered DNG earlier. I recommend converting your raw files to DNG, for safety sake, and perhaps to future proof your library.

Step three: copy both raw and DNG to a safe place

Where is safe? Well not your hard drive that is for sure. Copy them to CDROM, DVD, or external hard disk. CDROM's are very cheap these days, even DVD's are inexpensive, and external hard drives can be picked up for less than £100. I like CDROM simply because they are so cheap and I can one for raw files and another for DNG. I think it is important to store them separately, it is a 'belt and braces' approach but it allows for a double back up.

Every so often I bring a number of folders together and copy them to DVD. I use CDROM because if it fails I have only lost 700MB, but if a DVD fails I might loose 4.7GB - big difference! Having said that I have yet to have either a CDROM or DVD failure - but hard disks, that's another story! Hard disks can be temperamental, attacked by viruses, etc. I intend to buy an external hard disk, for imaging only and use it for the first save, but I will still keep the CD and DVD backup approach.

Step four: check that the back up's work

There is no point making back up copies of your important files if you don't check that they have been successfully copied. Take the CD/DVD out of the computer and then put it back in and check it works. Once you have done this you can re format your media (in camera is best - rather than using a card reader and your computer.) Now you can start to view and play with your images.

Step five: make adjustments to the raw files

Open your raw files in your raw image software. Make the necessary adjustments to raw file, once you have finished you save the work you have done without damaging the raw file.

Step six: save to a loss less format

If you are using ACR and Photoshop, save it as a psd file. If you are using some other program, e.g. RawShooter Premium, Capture One, Bibble Pro, Capture NX, then save the file to a loss less format. If you can't save to psd, then TIF is a good loss less format and all raw software will save to TIF. The TIF file is opened in Photoshop, saved as psd, for editing and perhaps further fine adjustments.

I am sure you can see why people like to use ACR in Photoshop for raw adjustments and then use Photoshop for the editing and final adjustments. Nikon, not surprisingly, wants its camera users to use Capture NX and claims it has the ability to reduce raw workflow to a single stage process, thereby streamlining the post-production process for photographers. I am a Nikon user and I am not too sure about that. Having used Capture NX for some time now, I think I will always want to finish of my images in Photoshop.

Converting & Delivering RAW: Chapter Ten

Need to convert your RAW files into a form ready for delivery? Download Chapter Ten of Photoshop CS2 RAW to learn how to use Photoshop CS2 automated tools and features to easily convert your RAW files. While there is no single, one-click process that will take you everywhere you want to go, there are several automated commands, which when used on top of each other, should do the trick.

Included in this document:

• Using Bridge + Image Processor to Convert RAW Files
• Applying Custom Camera Raw Settings to Multiple Images
• Using Camera RAW's Save Command
• Automating Contact Sheets, Picture Package & Web Photo Gallery
• Using Batch & Actions
• Writing Custom Scripts

Download