Now that I have a DSLR (Nikon 50), I was wondering if converting in PS CS is OK, and how should the file be saved after converting and editing-- JPG, TIFF, or RAW (NEF)?
Converting in Adobe Camera Raw is fine. Just download the most current version of ACR from Adobe and follow the installation in structions carefully. Save your first edit in a lossless format like .tif and don't overwrite your original raw file; put that one in some kind of archive that you can access at a later date. Remember to make backups for the day when (not if) your primary HDD fails.
Also make sure your Camera Raw preferences say to store the settings in a sidecar .xmp file. That keeps your ACR settings in the same directory as your raw NEF file (DSC_0001.xmp goes with DSC_0001.nef). Make your Camera Raw adjustments to the image before backing up the folder and the .xmp file containing your adjustments, keywords and other metadata will get backed up with your raw file. No sense in having to do the adjustments, keywording, labeling, rating, etc. again if you have to go back to the NEF file.
I would also encourage you to upgrade to CS2 (or wait for CS3 next year). The Bridge application in CS2 is far superior to the file browser in CS.
Peter Krogh's book "The DAM Book" talks a great deal about Bridge and raw files and keywording, labeling, rating, etc. Bruce Fraser's book "Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2" is an excellent guide to all of the power in Adobe Camera Raw. There is a previous edition for CS.
Posted by Martin Beebee on July 26, 2006 at 11:05 PM
I personally don't like Adobe Camera Raw for conversion, since any changes you make are saved to a separate file (often called a sidecar file). That means if you decide to move (or back-up) your RAW files, you have to move (or back-up) the sidecar file as well. For me, that's an extra hassle I don't need to deal with.
I use Nikon Capture to make initial RAW adjustments (white balance, exposure, etc.), and use it to convert straight into Photoshop CS2 for the heavy lifting and fine tuning, and creation of a final "master file."
Actually the latest ACR does not work with CS, only with CS2 so if your camera was added in a later version it may not be supported.
The free version of RawShooter does an excellent job and I recommend grabbing it while it's still available. With Adobe purchasing Pixmantec it may not be there for long.
Discussion
4 repliesConverting in Adobe Camera Raw is fine. Just download the most current version of ACR from Adobe and follow the installation in structions carefully. Save your first edit in a lossless format like .tif and don't overwrite your original raw file; put that one in some kind of archive that you can access at a later date. Remember to make backups for the day when (not if) your primary HDD fails.
I would also encourage you to upgrade to CS2 (or wait for CS3 next year). The Bridge application in CS2 is far superior to the file browser in CS.
Peter Krogh's book "The DAM Book" talks a great deal about Bridge and raw files and keywording, labeling, rating, etc. Bruce Fraser's book "Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2" is an excellent guide to all of the power in Adobe Camera Raw. There is a previous edition for CS.
I use Nikon Capture to make initial RAW adjustments (white balance, exposure, etc.), and use it to convert straight into Photoshop CS2 for the heavy lifting and fine tuning, and creation of a final "master file."
The free version of RawShooter does an excellent job and I recommend grabbing it while it's still available. With Adobe purchasing Pixmantec it may not be there for long.
Guy