Lightroom - What steps should I follow?

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hodgy77

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I've just managed to get hold of Lightroom (2.5) and have started using it to process my raw images (also just started shooting in raw!). I thought I'd try and learn by having a play with it, but I'm struggling with a few things and wondered if anyone could help? I've had a search of the forums and read some sections on lightroom, but there are so many topics and I'm not sure what I should search on to narrow the results down!

I put the raw images in a folder manually using Windows explorer, then import this folder into LR. I then edit the raw images and when i'm happy I export as jpegs to another folder. Does this sound sensible, or should I be doing more or in a different order?

Also, I've inadvertenly printed from the edited raw file, is this a mistake - should I print from the jpeg?

Finally, I had read that when shooting in raw on the 400d, the pics can be soft - too be honest I don't yet have an experts eye so they look OK to me, but assuming they are soft, how and when should I sharpen them?

Thanks for any help - I'm happy to do some more reading if anyone can point me in the direction of some useful websites.
 
theres no need to export to jpeg unless you have a specific reason for it, all raws are soft as the camera doesnt apply any sharpening to it so yes you should use the sharpen tool at the bottom of the tools palette, try the photowalkthrough.com podcasts they have lightroom tutorials that are very useful HTH
 
You are doing the same import/export method as me, and it seems to work OK for me.

RAW seems "soft" as jpegs are sharpened in camera, to sharpen a raw image, go to the develop tab of lightroom and have a play with the sharpen/radius sliders :)
 
btw you can import from the flash card in lightroom where you can name the files automatically the program automatically creates folders in explorer for you so it is a lot easier really, i convert to dng format but this is a whole other subject, it can get as touchy as mentioning Ken Rockwell LOL
 
Thanks for the tips so far! I guess I don't have a specific need to export to jpeg, it's just handy in case I need to send any to friends - although in theory I could convert as required.

The other thing that I meant to ask is what happens to the changes that I make - do the raw images get overwritten with the edits, or are the edits saved in a file that is linked to the raw image?

Thanks!
 
cannockwolf said:
btw you can import from the flash card in lightroom where you can name the files automatically the program automatically creates folders in explorer for you so it is a lot easier really
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll take a look at doing this

cannockwolf said:
i convert to dng format but this is a whole other subject, it can get as touchy as mentioning Ken Rockwell LOL
Click to expand...

I'm not even going to ask.... well for now!! The more I delve into the posts on TP, the more I realise that I don't know - how depressing!
 
hodgy77 said:
The other thing that I meant to ask is what happens to the changes that I make - do the raw images get overwritten with the edits, or are the edits saved in a file that is linked to the raw image?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

thats the best part of lightroom, it doesnt touch the raw file at all, all it does is remember what you have done to it and when you load the file it puts it to where you was last which means in 2 years time when you wished you hadnt used a filter or sharpened too much you can just change it or even use the undo :)
 
I find the best way to use Lightroom is to import straight off the card, process, then only export/print/upload to web as needed.
 
I import from the card if I have not been using GPS. If I have been using GPS then I import from disk once the raws have their XML sidecar files with the GPS in them.

I have saved a default set of processing parameters in LR which have the adjustments I'd make to an image that needs little editing. That means the majority of pictures are adjusted correctly before I do anything. Next step is to run through them one by one in develop and check if they are right or need more tweaks.

Once I'm happy with them they all get exported to a subfolder called 'LR export' at full size jpeg and 95% quality. Why? So that when my pictures folder is next backed up to the network drive, easily viewable pictures are available to any other computer in the house - and they are also fine for uploading to the likes of Bonusprint if my wife wants prints for albums.
 
cannockwolf said:
thats the best part of lightroom, it doesnt touch the raw file at all, all it does is remember what you have done to it and when you load the file it puts it to where you was last which means in 2 years time when you wished you hadnt used a filter or sharpened too much you can just change it or even use the undo :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, sounds great that it's always possible to revert back to the original. Where are the changes stored though? I would like to back these up along with the raw images, just in case my disk dies agin!

RobertP said:
I have saved a default set of processing parameters in LR which have the adjustments I'd make to an image that needs little editing. That means the majority of pictures are adjusted correctly before I do anything. Next step is to run through them one by one in develop and check if they are right or need more tweaks.
Click to expand...

I'll have to take a look at this - I assume I can create multiple sets of actions depending on the type of photos, e.g. a portrait set and a landscape set?
 
the program backs up for you but it is in the options where you set the backup to be, usually its in the lightroom folder in my pictures i think
 
No raw editor changes a raw file. They all keep a list of edits to be applied when viewing or exporting. Lightroom does it in a database that it offers to backup for you regularly.

By default edit settings I mean.... when in develop with a average picture that needs little editing make whatever minor changes are needed like small tweak to the black point etc - then go to the develop menu item and choose set default settings.

In the develop section you can also see the presets on the left where there are some edit styles already saved and you can add your own custom ones. I don't use them.
 
I'm by no means an expert in Lightroom, but I find I can get some great results from RAW files using the main 4 sliders in "develop" - exposure, fill light, recovery and blacks.

Fill light does what it says, opens up the shadow areas.

Recovery does the opposite, closes down the highlights.

Black immediately increases the apparent saturation of an image. It's easy to get an almost "Velvia" look to an image this way.

Usually last of all, I correct the exposure.

I found this stage very satisfying and for me it makes digital worth while.

Occasionally I need to use saturation, and whats really useful is that you can just saturate one colour if that's all you need.

No need to export any of the images, you just call them up as required.

When you do need to export, depending on the end-use there are plenty of options in the export dialogue box.

To be honest I find some of the options in "Library" unnecessarily complex - stacks, folders, collections and catalogues. I've got a lot to learn there.

Have fun!
 
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