Workflow for Lightroom 3 and CS5

nikonuser · 15 Sep 2010

I think it is time that I though about standardising my worflow which in the past has been shoot in RAW pp in CS3 and save as Jpeg or sometimes TIFFS.
Now I have CS5 and Lightroom 3 I want to use the same worflow throughout my image storing/editing process.
Does anyone save their images as DNG files, are there any advantages other than no xmp sidecar files, can DNG's be processed in Photoshop OK or are there disadvantages.
Any info would help solve my dilemma please.
Thanks
Dave

theMusicMan · 15 Sep 2010

No real need to convert to DNG. Just use Lightroom to import all your .NEF files to the Lightroom Catalogue, making a backup of them in the process if you like. Then process them in Lightroom (and in CS5 from within Lightroom if needed), and export only those you need to get printed etc.

DonnaM · 15 Sep 2010

theMusicMan said:
No real need to convert to DNG. Just use Lightroom to import all your .NEF files to the Lightroom Catalogue, making a backup of them in the process if you like. Then process them in Lightroom (and in CS5 from within Lightroom if needed), and export only those you need to get printed etc.

Why complicate things!

nikonuser · 15 Sep 2010

DonnaM said:
Why complicate things!

Those xmp sidecar files (dont like them) attached to ever processed image would be my main reason to covert to DNG
Dave

boyfalldown · 15 Sep 2010

nikonuser said:
Those xmp sidecar files (dont like them) attached to ever processed image would be my main reason to covert to DNG
Dave

agree _ I convert to DNG on import. I don't see how it complactes things.

Taxilian · 15 Sep 2010

Ditching the sidecar file =

theMusicMan · 15 Sep 2010

Taxilian said:
Ditching the sidecar file =

Don't know why this helps, though? Hundreds of thousands (and more possibly) of global Lightroom users are ill informed then, yes?

Somehow I doubt it.

ianmarsh · 15 Sep 2010

Big discussion of DNG here http://lightroomkillertips.com/2010/to-dng-or-not-to-dng/ (with no clear answer as far as I can see). But FWIW I convert to DNG on import (from Canon formats).

Taxilian · 15 Sep 2010

theMusicMan said:
Don't know why this helps, though? Hundreds of thousands (and more possibly) of global Lightroom users are ill informed then, yes?

Somehow I doubt it.

Obviously LR maintains image metadata in the catalog, but if like me you move images between various machines then the fact this is also embedded in the DNG is a benefit since I don't have to export the catalog as well.

I'm also not reliant on a backup of the catalog if everything goes for a burton.

Lastly why would I want two files for each image?

Each to their own but I prefer the tidier solution that DNG provides.