LightRoom and a silly question or perhaps two!

[Ellie Jones]

I know that these are daft questions, I might have missed something or perhaps I find the answers in the Lightroom book, that postie should be delivering at some point today! But in my defense I am a newbie

First question

I know that when you hit import in lightroom library, that it's not actually importing the photograph file into the realms of lightroom folder, but cataloging the link to where the file is located on a hard-drive/memory card... . but is there a way that when I'm using my memory card to use lightroom to import into a specific folder prior to cataloging a link to my memory card! or do I have to import into a folder on the hard-drive prior to using Lightroom

Second Question

I decided to take some B&W photo's using the camera B&W setting, when Lightroom import the links into the library, they showed as B&W but when took them into develop they turned into a colour photo, the other B&W photo's taken in the film strip remained B&W, until I brought them opened them, then went to colour and the copy in the film strip turned into colour at this point as well..

These where all raw files, I had set the camera to use raw only, and not the raw/jpeg setting..

.

 

[ChasG]

You are give a choice when importing to copy as dng etc from the original source to a folder - this then produces the images in that folder

WRT to Q2 all changes made in LR are made to a seperate file which is why they are reversible.

If I am wrong and I could be someone more knowledgable will be along soon.

BTW welcome to the forum

 

[Sharky]

1. Yes you can 'copy', it should be the default behaviour for removal storage e.g. memory card. If not just select "copy" on the import window instead of "add".

2. It will use the baked in preview of the raw file on first import until it builds it's own image preview from the raw file. This is why it's starts as mono because you shot in that then LR produces a colour version when it's done the preview. If it's not showing the original colour raw file in the film strip until you double click it it'll probably be because previews haven't been built yet (this happens automatically when you open an image). You can build "standard" or "1:1" previews either on import or afterwards, for doing it after import it's in the library menu on the toolbar at the top from memory.

 

[ChasG]

Told you someone would be along

 

[Ellie Jones]

Thanks

Just got the book through had a quick flick through, and the thought of 'run for the hills' and 'what have I set myself' up for....

 

[DeadpanDodo]

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I've been using Lightroom for 4 or 5 months now, but clearly remember that my initial thoughts were similar to yours. It isn't exactly intuitive, but spend some time reading up on how to set it up properly to suit your needs especially regards importing, folder structures, and catalogues and it becomes a lot less daunting. When I've had specific queries I've posted on here and had very rapid responses from some very helpful and knowledge people. Lightroom is complicated because it is so powerful.