raw software

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photochimp

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Carl Davis
Edit My Images
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After a little advise.
My current workflow is just bridge and photoshop which works for me most of the time.
But sometimes I want to do multiple adjustments.

Ive tried lightroom but I really dont like the way it stores files etc.

Dpp works ok but hasnt got enough tools.

how does aperture work?

I have my own folder structures which I like so I dont want files saved off somewhere else, backed up etc, I want to manage that.

So I want something like bridge ie a file explorer not manager, but with lots of controls for raw.

thanks for any advise

Carl
 
I save them as PSD....so I can always go back and edit 'edits'.....I don't edit all my files so I don't need to worry about space, just the ones that need multiple edits.
 
It's a pity you don't like Lightroom as it has probably the widest range of image tools that are readily available on the market. You could try Aperture , but it's only available on the Mac platform, but is a bargain via the Apple App Store.

You could try Capture One. I used to use it prior to Lightroom. but it may be relativly expensive for what you want it to do.

Don't forget if you have CS4 and above you have the same controls in ACR that Lightroom has in it's develop module. So you could always use that for those images you need to use multiple options. In fact I would suggest that this may be the better option for most of your images provided you have the time available . Edit initially in ACR then export directly into Photoshop for anything else
 
Carl

What do't you like about how lightroom stores files?

Primarily, it is a catalogue tool that offers a good level of adjustments.

If you have your file structure all set up the LR3 will simply keep them where they are on your hard drive and reference to them. You can then nominate the location where you want any virtual copies or exported files ae kept?

LR3 takes a little to get used to but it a very powerful and comprehensive tool which can be easily set up to meet your needs
 
Lightroom doesn't store files! It catalogues them and they can be stored anywhere you want them! It also edits non destructively which Photoshop doesn't do.
 
Have a look at picassa, it's free from google (or was last time I looked) it's a good viewer sort of bridge style but will all your images referenced, if you have key words you can even search for images.
It doesn't have much for editing images though, maybe pared with elements? it could be a good combination.
 
If you like to keep your own file/directory structure (god knows why but hey ho) then just use the referenced master file model. Problem solved. However you will put a lot of additional work on yourself for what I can't see any gain.
 
Thanks guys
I have a simple file structure in place that works for me, I know where the files are, which ones are edited etc etc.
When I backup my files onto say an external drive I can plug that drive into my laptop and my structure is there, so I can move to any machine and work where I left off.

I want to be able to open up a raw editor and view the structure as I want it, I dont want the software cataloging things for me.

All I need is simple raw tools, colour temp, exposure, crop and adjusting images that arent level.

I can see why people use lightroom its just not for me.

Thanks again.
 
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In that case just don't bother with any of the organisational tools, there is just no point then.

Camera supplied software does what you require.
 
Adobe CS5

Still think you are avoiding the unavoidable, embrace the change it will be so good and so much easier, and non-destructive...But your choice ofcourse.
 
Carl

I understand why you want to have a simple file structure. I use a simple Tree method. Images are stored under year, the shoot details and then maybe a subfolder within the shoot. I still use Lightroom as it will also display my images as this tree. Just make sure you have Add Parent Folder ticked to show the full path
 
Photoshop dosnt allow editing of multiple images. Sometimes I just want to do a series of quick adjustments to a a few images, so photoshop is to slow for that.

I quiet often work on a laptop and work on a pc so how would that work with lightroom?
the program would have to be installed on both, and can you sync them?
Can I tell light room to never create catalogs so use it like an more advanced bridge?
 
photochimp said:
After a little advise.
My current workflow
Dpp works ok but hasnt got enough tools.
Carl
Click to expand...

photochimp said:
All I need is simple raw tools, colour temp, exposure, crop and adjusting images that arent level.
Click to expand...

photochimp said:
that was I said in the original post, I dont want the organisation tools, just raw tools.
Dpp is ok but I cant see how to straighten images?
Click to expand...

So DPP has everything you need


The straighten tool is in the Trimming and Angle adjustment section, I'm presuming you have downloaded a fairly current version of DPP and still not got a really old one. Latest version is 3.10.1

Screen-shot.jpg
 
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Lightroom has to use a catalogue - that is the whole point of the programme. All your edits are stored in the catalogue (database) as well as your choice of file structure. it is much faster than photoshop to work with - literally has saved me light years! You can install Lightroom on 2 computers - you would just copy the catalogue back and forward - or keep your pictures and catalogue on an external disk that could be plugged into either computer.

These are all powerful programmes and from your comments I'd say you need to spend a lot more time learning them.
 
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photochimp said:
Photoshop dosnt allow editing of multiple images. Sometimes I just want to do a series of quick adjustments to a a few images, so photoshop is to slow for that.

I quiet often work on a laptop and work on a pc so how would that work with lightroom?
the program would have to be installed on both, and can you sync them?
Can I tell light room to never create catalogs so use it like an more advanced bridge?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I do with Aperture. Multiple installs of a single license are allowed. A lot of the time I manage the meta data on my laptop, and merge the project back into the main library for editing where required to have a better calibrated screen.

Having your file structure managed will make that even easier to do ofcourse.
 
photochimp said:
Thanks guys
I have a simple file structure in place that works for me, I know where the files are, which ones are edited etc etc.
When I backup my files onto say an external drive I can plug that drive into my laptop and my structure is there, so I can move to any machine and work where I left off.

I want to be able to open up a raw editor and view the structure as I want it, I dont want the software cataloging things for me.

All I need is simple raw tools, colour temp, exposure, crop and adjusting images that arent level.

I can see why people use lightroom its just not for me.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

But it doesn't move your files! Whatever file structure you have, LR3 will use this and not create it's own!

I'm confused as to why you think it will destroy your file structure - it will only do this if you ask it to use the Move command rather than the Add which is the one you want to use...
 
I think, quite simply the OP doesn't understand Lightroom and has a barrier to wanting to. His loss. It is easily the best program for the job on a PC
 
Am I missing something, why can't you open up multiple files in ACR an synchronise multiple files if you are doing the same edits? :shrug:
 
photochimp said:
Photoshop dosnt allow editing of multiple images. Sometimes I just want to do a series of quick adjustments to a a few images, so photoshop is to slow for that.

I quiet often work on a laptop and work on a pc so how would that work with lightroom?
the program would have to be installed on both, and can you sync them?
Can I tell light room to never create catalogs so use it like an more advanced bridge?
Click to expand...

Yes it does, camera raw can edit raw tiff or jpeg in mulitples, or photoshop itself can use batch actions droplets, not as neat as Lightroom I'll admit.
 
It's all about learning the software you have. Too many people - maybe the OP - expect to just sit down and use it straight off - it's much more complicated than that - but really working with it pays off - keep at it.
 
Thanks everyone, Im going to install the trial of lightroom again and run with it for the full 30 days and force myself to get used to it so that I can make a proper opinion.
That catalog thing through me and that it needed a seperate location for things, but looking into it just creating a sort of large thumbnail for previewing. so when its talking about backups its only backing up that part isnt it not the original raw files?



Also yeah, dont know why I said camera raw couldnt do it, probably because I did it once but didnt like how it worked with multiple files.

anyway as I so many of you have given me a virtual slap on the hand for being closed minded I will stick with it regardless so that I will either become a happy user or at least be able to argue why I dont like it in a constructive manor.

Thanks again everyone :)
 
When Lightroom does a backup it is the catalogue it is backing up. You still need to back up your pictures. If you MOVE any pictures then best to do it from within Lightroom - then it can keep track of where they are for you. If you do all this then you also get the benefit of the search facility - it can search for pictures by date, keyword, lens used, aperture, shutter speed - almost anything - very useful and versatile. There are lots of 'how to' videos around - F1 is good too (the HELP key) and there are lots of us on here who know our way around it. It will take a little while to get into it - but well worth the effort. :)
 
ok for those still reading this, Ive setup a lightroom catalog on my main pc and wanted to open that catalog on my laptop, lightroom wont allow the networked catalog to open.

So what do other do to get around this, whats the best workflow?

just in case it isnt clear why I want to do this, I do almost all my editing in my office, but on odd occasions such as now I want to edit on my laptop a few family photos whilst sat in my living room.
I also want my wife to help me catalog my photos correctly via the laptop whilst I work on my main computer retouching.

thanks
 
Best option would be to store your pictures and catalogue on a removeable drive that could be connected to either your main computer OR the laptop.

You could also try opening a new catalog on the laptop then in the main computer later - 'import from catalogue' which would merge the temp one with the main catalogue.

I may think of other options tomorrow!!
 
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awp said:
Best option would be to store your pictures and catalogue on a removeable drive that could be connected to either your main computer OR the laptop.

You could also try opening a new catalog on the laptop then in the main computer later - 'import from catalogue' which would merge the temp one with the main catalogue.

I may think of other options tomorrow!!
Click to expand...



That's exactly how I have mine. All photos, presets and catalogue on the ext drive and all (inc catalogue and presets) then backed up to my NAS drive and then my RAID drive so 3 copies and portable access
 
Cowasakie came up with a way to allow Lightroom use the catalog on another computer. It made use of a mapped drive if my memory serves me and seem to work OK . I think he also worked out a way to do it on a mac. Sorry can't help more than that
 
how do you guys find loading times from an external source?
As I said the way I work at the moment is to have a folder within the main folder for edits so I view the raw files with bridge accross the network and if I finish I save them in a edited folder, if Im working on them they go in a wip folder. so regardless of where I am I know anything in the wip folder (work in progress) can be copied and when its complete it ends up in the edited folder. so again copy that across job done.
I can also drop files into dropbox/harddrive and they are accessible anywhere whilst working on that job.
I didnt want to have an external drive as my main storage/work drive.

gonna take some rethinking and working out here :)
 
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