Editing programs for RAW files

[Kphipps]

I know how to shoot and edit RAW images but my problem is I take forever editing my images. I tend to baby my photographs.

What programs do you use when you edit RAW photos? Is there an easier workflow program that I should know about? Or am I doing the right thing by editing my RAW files in photoshop? It doesn't really bother me but I just wanted to know if there is a easier, quicker, reliable program out there. Any information would be great. Thanks guys!

 

[Mully]

Work with Lightroom ..... It is a great program and keeps originals intact, it will improve workflow. You can continue to use photoshop but using LR with Photoshop is a real plus.

 

[480sparky]

What I use for my heavy lifting won't work with Canons format... Capture NX2.

 

[Overread]

Sounds like you need Adobe Lightroom.
It's designed specifically for photographers as a cataloguing and workflow streamlining software package. Many people I know who have shifted to using it now do almost all their editing in Lightroom and only shift into full photoshop for those more complex/specific editing tweaks that are required. This is even more the case now as Lightroom has continued to gain features including selective editing capabilities.

It's not as powerful as photoshop, but its good enough for most of you work. Combine that with the use of actions and pre-set editing methods to help speed your specific style of presentation and it could help you out a lot.

Not only that bit its cataloguing features will help you with data management and file organisation .


Note Lightroom is all RAW processing, but much more advanced than Adobe Camera RAW's features*; so not only is it helping to streamline the workflow, but it also performs editing in the manner of producing a file of changed parameters instead of changing the file itself (unless you save a JPEG/TIFF/PSD file of course).

It also has some neat publish online (facebook/flickr) and printing options so you can quickly edit and then present/print if you want.


*note both use the same RAW processing codes, Lightroom just has more options and controls during the RAW stage

 

[Overread]

I would recommend the latest version, it will not only have the longest potential shelf and support life span, but it also has expanded editing features which makes it superior over the earlier versions.

 

[Mully]

4.3 is the latest version and you can get the 30 day trial to work out the rough spots. LR does have a learning curve but Adobe TV is good and look up Laura Shoe she is real easy to understand and has a great video set.

 

[DiskoJoe]

If it takes to long to edit photos you might need to upgrade your computer with more ram, like a lot more. Then you could batch edit files. If you are shooting with identical lighting conditions then the edits should be almost the same or at least some of the basic elements should be the same. Also if you have a particular style you might look into setting up your on actions so its just one click and the photo is edited.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I've heard of lightroom and I've used it a few times. What version do you recommend? 3 or 4? Are there any real major differences?

You dont need lightroom, you have photoshop. Lightroom is for people that cant afford or need photoshop. Its basically just the raw editor that you have in photoshop already.

If you really want to go spend some money to improve your photography the upgrade to a 7d. You'll see a huge improvement due to the better capabilities of an improved motor.

 

[The_Traveler]

You dont need lightroom, you have photoshop. Lightroom is for people that cant afford or need photoshop. Its basically just the raw editor that you have in photoshop already.

This is so absolutely and totally wrong.
LR + PS are a great combination with LR to manage images and do bulk edits and PS to do specific bit-level ones.

So wrong.
Maniacally crazy wrong

 

[Mully]

I've heard of lightroom and I've used it a few times. What version do you recommend? 3 or 4? Are there any real major differences?

You dont need lightroom, you have photoshop. Lightroom is for people that cant afford or need photoshop. Its basically just the raw editor that you have in photoshop already.

If you really want to go spend some money to improve your photography the upgrade to a 7d. You'll see a huge improvement due to the better capabilities of an improved motor.

This is poor information..... know what you are talking about ...First

 

[KmH]

I've heard of lightroom and I've used it a few times. What version do you recommend? 3 or 4? Are there any real major differences?

Yes, there are major differences.
Lightroom 4 uses Process Version 2012, while Lightroom 3 uses Process Version 2010.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 * Process versions

PV2012 offers new tone controls and new tone-mapping algorithms for high-contrast images. With PV2012, you can adjust Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Exposure, and Contrast in the Basic panel. You can also apply local corrections for white balance (Temp and Tint), Highlights, Shadows, Noise, and Moiré.
Process Version 2010 Images edited in Lightroom 3 used PV2010 by default. PV2010 offers improved sharpening and noise-reduction from the previous process version, PV2003.
Process Version 2003 The original processing engine, used by Lightroom 1 and 2.

Additionally, Adobe stopped updating Lightroom 3 at the release of Lightroom 4.

Also note that for editing/Raw conversion, Abobe Camera Raw 7 (ACR 7) is used by Photoshop Elements 11 Camera Raw (de-featured to consumer grade), Photoshop CS 6 Camera Raw, and Photoshop Lightroom 4's Develop module.

You didn't say which Photoshop you have, but which ever one you have you already have a Raw editing capability.

 

[unpopular]

I use Raw Photo Processor (RPP), which is a deceptively primative processor. I like it because it doesn't protect me from what the raw processor is doing. It's intended to be an analog to film processing machines, with more parametric controls than an emphasis on an intuitive GUI. Instead of dialing in specific white points and color temperature, you instead adjust RGBG channel data in convenient EV scale. RPP seems more "photographic" to me than most image processing applications.

It also has several sensitometric-based film profiles which are intended to emulate the color and tonal quality, which can be pretty fun to play with.

However, it is only available on mac OS.

 

[texkam]

You don't have an editing problem, you have a shooting problem. You're shooting too much! Try quality over quantity.

 

[unpopular]

I agree. Often people kind of romanticize the prospect of a photographer who shoots hundreds of frames for that "one". It's a silly thing to idolize.

 

[John27]

I disagree. I don't think I'm shooting too many photos. I don't shoot thousands of photographs each session and go "click crazy." I don't understand how someone can completely assume how a photographer works. For weddings (6-7 hrs of coverage) + a separate session, I give them about 500 images combined. I think that's pretty reasonable considering the day is filled with lots of different events. I spend more time composing the image and making sure all the details, lighting, location is perfect before I even start clicking.
I was simply asking this question because I spend a lot of time editing each photograph and I was wondering if there was a program that worked with RAW images that would help with time but provide quality. Obviously, I make sure my clients receive quality images since their wedding is the most exciting time of their life.
I have CS4 and I'm upgrading to CS6 this month. I think I'm just going to continue using the RAW editing program that comes with Photoshop since it sounds like LR does the same thing. Thank you everyone for giving me information about LR. It sounds like a great program.

Adobe Camera Raw is a part of both, but lightroom is really nice for keeping things cataloged and organized. It's an excellent workflow tool. It'll also do your small edits much faster, especially posed shots where everything is pretty close to right SOOC and you just need to tweak levels. You can fly through shots and when you get to one that needs a little more tweaking, or you want to do something creative to; you can open photoshop to that image from within Lightroom!

Certainly not a necessity, but I bet you find it saves you time, AND, I bet you'll find it saves you so much time you'll feel like you stole it at a price of $100, considering the time you'll save.

I use both, and love both. CS6 when things get complicated, LR4 when it's just easy levels adjusting, cropping and straightening.