From Camera to Print - Workflow

donkeymusic

donkeymusic

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Name
Carlo
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello,

just wondering what methods you use with regards to processing and backing up of photos from start to finish.

At the moment i back up to windows pc, then import photos into lightroom and edit, not many steps but sure this isnt the best method.

What workflow do you all use?

thanks
 
Import images from card.
Convert to DNG
Next sort and edit images ( put into folders as necessary, delete the obvious rubbish). Still have the originals on the card.

Now add additional date such as Metadata and even change file name to help with identifying images

Get Integeo backup assistant to back up to back up drive

Burn Backup CD/DVD

Get Integeo to copy to off site drive ( Yes I am paranoid)

Work on images. If any work goes out to Photoshop, Integeo backs that up automatically.

Once done I now work on the images. It may ot be right away as they may not be needed imediatly

Make sure Lightroom catalogue gets backed up if any significant work is done. It's a pain with LR ver 2.0 as it backs up Before it starts the program. Looks like ver 3 will do this at shut down.:)

This is my way of working. It works for me but you may find something different is better. I do back up a lot but then my images are worth £££ to me so it's worth while.

Have a look at Adobe TV where Jullianne Kost has done some workflow tutorials that you might find useful

As far as output is concerned I don't get over worried about saving corrected images as the adjustments are stored in Lightroom's catalogue. Any work in Photoshop is reimported automatically into the Lightroom workflow, and is saved to both external backup hard drives. Also all original images are stored on external Firewire Drives, not the computers internal one. mainly cos there are to many of them, plus a bit more security. (did I mention I'm getting a bit paranoid ;))
 
What works for one may not work for someone else, there is no right or wrong way of doing things just whatever works for you.

With that in mind mine sort of goes like this, import via Transfer open up and tinker in NX2, save any edited versions in the same file, NX2 is able to save all edited images in the same file which is very handy as it saves space but it also saves all the settings for each file so they can be opened at any time and fettled with, job done. Sometimes print a few off.
 
me at the moment is
download from card. donot wipe card at this stage keep pics on card till done
look at pics with DPP, erase one that are crap not needed.
edit ones that i like/want to post in photoshop
save to folder.
save to external hard drive
wipe card.

start again

spike
 
This has been covered loads already if you want more answers, but mine simplified is:

Convert images on card to DNGs stored on internal HD and CR2s copied to external drive, metadata and processing presets added - all with Lightroom import module.

Selects/rejects - Lightroom library module.

Processing - Lightroom develop module.

Upload to web site - Export preset

Backups are Time Machine AND Mozy for internal drive, external drive synced with NAS and full res processed jpeg uploaded to Photoshelter.
 
Whats DNG? can this file still be edited like a raw file?
 
1) copy RAW from CF card to PC local storage drive
2) allway sync detects new files within my "photos" folder and syncs up with a copy on my "server"
3) import RAW files in to Lightroom
4) wait for my spyder to adjust for ambient light, process/disguard images as required
5) use Lightroom to export as low res for web or high res for sending to print labs
6) close Lightroom and wait for allway sync to make any addtional copy processes
 
donkeymusic said:
Whats DNG? can this file still be edited like a raw file?
Click to expand...

DNG is an open RAW format, keeps all the data AND all meta data from Lightroom embedded within the file and is a smaller file size.
 
Camera
-Card
-hard drive
- new folder and copy session into specific folder i.e. todays shoot. Then use that folder to lightroom.

Edits in lightroom and export back to Seperate Maxtor 750gig drive.
That way I have plenty back up of origionals. Bit long winded compared to others but as Escy says "what works for one does`nt for another".

I am now in this habit and it works for me. If p.c. crashes I have stand alone maxtor if Maxtor crashes I have p.c.

Crude but works.
 
IIRC (not got Lightroom installed here) it the the top drop down menu on the import dialogue, you can also convert your whole catalog to DNG from one of the other menu options, which is useful if you want to save some HD space.
 
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