Raw 1.12

[Damien Symonds]

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The standard Raw workflow

No two photographers have the same workflow, of course. Over time, you’ll develop your own unique system that suits your needs. But everyone needs to start somewhere, so we need to discuss the fundamentals. Since my own workflow is fairly standard and unadventurous, I’ll outline it for you now.

It begins with safely copying the files onto my computer. I’ve made a video about it here, and an important reminder here.

Next, I browse my photos in Bridge and ruthlessly cull all the photos that aren’t good enough. Poor focus is my main concern, as well as obvious problems like blinking, open mouths, etc. I don’t delete any files in the early stages, though, just in case I can use any of those rejected photos as donors for background replacements, etc.

Then it’s time to begin editing. The editing workflow looks like this:

Let’s break it down >>

[Lyndall]

In the first video where you talk about transferring your files from your card you mentioned you right click and select browse in Bridge,  I'm on a Mac and cant see that option.  is that just a PC thing? I currently transfer ALL the photos from my card onto my computer (which is way too many) before I go into Bridge.  Would love to have this option.

[Damien Symonds]

10 hours ago, Lyndall said:

In the first video where you talk about transferring your files from your card you mentioned you right click and select browse in Bridge,  I'm on a Mac and cant see that option.  is that just a PC thing?

If your Mac mouse doesn't have a right-click button, I strongly suggest getting one that does.  But in the meantime, Ctrl-clicking will give you the same result.

[Lyndall]

I have a right click button but the option to view in bridge isnt there. Thought it might be a PC option but wanted to make sure as I think this would be great to use. 

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, right.

You do have Bridge installed, though?  Do you use it habitually?

[Lyndall]

Yes I have bridge and use it all the time. 

[Damien Symonds]

Just to check, you're right-clicking on a folder?  It doesn't work if you right-click on individual files.

[Lyndall]

Yep just on the folder.  This is what I see when I right click

[Damien Symonds]

Bummer.  I don't know, I'm so sorry.

[Lyndall]

I actually just worked it out. It seems with a mac you have to open the folder so you can see all the photos. Then just right click on one of the photos and it has the option to view in bridge. It brings all of your photos that are on your card in there. Thought I would post just incase any other mac users wanted to know. 

Edited March 16, 2016 by Lyndall

[Damien Symonds]

Thank you so much!

[Rob]

Saving files.

 

If I open an image in acr, adjust it and press done. Will the original raw file be saved. IE, if I wanted to revisit the image 6 months later and process it in a different way from the original raw file.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Rob

[Damien Symonds]

Raw files can never be changed.  When you edit one, you don't change the raw file, you only change the metadata attached to it.  At any time you can reset that metadata.