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12/11/2007 12:39:13 PM · #1 |
I'm a new D300 owner, very confused by the workflow options for handling raw files. I searched the forums and read some product comparisons, but can't seem to wrap this old brain around some basic concepts.
For now, until I figure out a workflow, I've decided to shoot with the camera option that saves both a .nef file and a .jpg file. Then I'll work with the jpegs and delete the raw files for all but the real "keepers" -- May There Be Many Someday. :-)
However, I still need a way to save the raw files to my hard drive without altering them (considering their size, I'll probably need to invest soon in a large external hard drive). I'd like to be able to crop a few to post for demo purposes. Also, I'd like to be able to organize my .jpg and .nef photo files -- possibly with tags -- and view the thumbnails. FYI, my Windows viewer can't view the .nef files.
Software: I have CS3 newly installed on my office PC, though I'm only used to using Paint Shop Pro 9. I also have the Capture NX that shipped free with my D300, which I have not installed yet.
So far, I've briefly played around with transferring some raw files from my camera to my PC. I was shocked at how slow this was. Then I tried a conversion method and ended up with smaller files (format .dng?) but this also shrank the image size and apparently destroyed the originals (so much for confirming challenge entries).
When I put my CF card in the card reader, one of the options that comes up is "BR". Is that Adobe Bridge? Is that the same as CS3? Do I use CS3/BR alone or do I need to use it in conjunction with another program, like Capture NX or yet another program like Lightroom or something?
Aaargh. As you see, I'm extremely confused! Before I head off in the wrong direction, your help would be appreciated. Mild flaming allowed (no worse than what I'm saying to myself), but please keep it to a minimum. Thanks,
- Larry in NYC
Message edited by author 2007-12-11 12:39:46. |
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12/11/2007 12:55:57 PM · #2 |
Hi Larry,
Yep, those large RAW files can tax your system. The most convenient way I've found to transfer is simple drag & drop with the operating system. You're already using a card reader, so you're past one hurdle (some folks try to transfer by hooking the camera up, and that's usually slow).
Is you card reader "USB 2.0 High Speed"? That labeling is important, because if it's not specifically labeled both USB 2.0 and High Speed, you'll get slow transfers.
Also, are you using relatively fast CF cards? That makes a pretty significant difference as well.
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12/11/2007 01:08:50 PM · #3 |
Since you already have CS3, here is what I would do.
Create a older to store RAW images and any subfolder as neededdesired.
Copy raw images from your card to the destination folders using windows explorer. I do this because I want a local copy of RAW files for backup etc. Also opening RAW files from the card reader or camera is pretty slow.
Once images are safely on hard drive use "Adobe bridge" to view your raw files and doing any additional sorting(ie make new folder and move them around as desired).
You can chose to open raw images from Adobe Bridge which ill open the RAW file in "Adobe Camera RAW". If not you may need to goto adobes site and download the newest version.
Once opened in ACR (Adobe camera raw) you can do some initial tweaking to the image. At this point you have the most data to work with so do what you can here. Once you have your initial tweaks done "Open" the image which ill open the image, with your changes done in ACR, in Photoshp (ie PS).
At this point it should be open as a 16bit image. Do any cropping, additional tweaking you may want to do and then save the file to a new folder. How you ave the image at this point will depend on what your goals for it are. Save as 16bit TIFF of psd if you want to kep layer info etc and do additional editing later. If you wanna use it on the web, reduceit to 8bit and save for web etc.
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12/11/2007 01:15:50 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by Kaveran:
Since you already have CS3, here is what I would do.
Create a older to store RAW images and any subfolder as neededdesired.
Copy raw images from your card to the destination folders using windows explorer. I do this because I want a local copy of RAW files for backup etc. Also opening RAW files from the card reader or camera is pretty slow.
Once images are safely on hard drive use "Adobe bridge" to view your raw files and doing any additional sorting(ie make new folder and move them around as desired).
You can chose to open raw images from Adobe Bridge which ill open the RAW file in "Adobe Camera RAW". If not you may need to goto adobes site and download the newest version.
Once opened in ACR (Adobe camera raw) you can do some initial tweaking to the image. At this point you have the most data to work with so do what you can here. Once you have your initial tweaks done "Open" the image which ill open the image, with your changes done in ACR, in Photoshp (ie PS).
At this point it should be open as a 16bit image. Do any cropping, additional tweaking you may want to do and then save the file to a new folder. How you ave the image at this point will depend on what your goals for it are. Save as 16bit TIFF of psd if you want to kep layer info etc and do additional editing later. If you wanna use it on the web, reduceit to 8bit and save for web etc. |
That's basically what I do. I particularly endorse the idea of setting up a folder for images on your desktop, and a shortcut to your card reader, then just open both and drag-and-drop the files from the CF card into an appropriately named sub-folder in the Image folder. I name mine by date/subject, i.e. 12_11_2007_sunsets. Then I create a subfolder in THAT folder called "edit_12_11_07", and when I open the RAW with bridge, move it to PS, and save-as a psd file I save it into the "edit" folder within the RAW folder.
R.
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12/11/2007 01:58:55 PM · #5 |
Thank you Fritz, Larry and Robert. I have a fast card (Sandisk Extreme III 4GB), but it's clearly time to replace my ancient card reader. I hadn't even considered that. Thanks.
I'll also do as you all suggest and drag 'n drop files to a new folder / subfolder system using Windows. These steps should at least get me through phase one.
Best,
Larry |
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12/11/2007 04:19:56 PM · #6 |
PS: For a high speed memory card reader, I want something that also reads SD cards. Would this be a good choice?:
Sandisk Extreme USB 2.0 Reader (links to Amazon.com)
My card is a CF 4GB Extreme III. FYI, I don't see any readers that specifically mention being able to handle Extreme III or Extreme IV cards.
-Larry in NYC |
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12/11/2007 05:23:34 PM · #7 |
| Skip USB card readers if your looking for speed and go with a firewire unit. |
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