From RAW to...?

[Mike_Rimmer]

I've been shooting in JPEG, but my son suggested shooting in 'RAW'. Having done that, and converted the files for editing in Photoshop elements, what format should I now be saving the images in?

[Iguanamom]

Most people export them as jpegs as that is pretty acceptable for web publishing (flickr, photobucket etc).

[Singletracklovr]

I've been shooting in JPEG, but my son suggested shooting in 'RAW'. Having done that, and converted the files for editing in Photoshop elements, what format should I now be saving the images in?

Hi Mike,
I put the RAW file in a special folder marked MASTERS. I make copies to play with.
My final file is jpeg. On my favorites I have a full size jpeg and small for posting and sharing.

hth

[Photo-John]

My workflow is a little different. I save all my RAW files and after I convert, I save them as TIFFs. I only convert the ones I'm actually using and most of them end up with Photoshop adjustment layers so they have to be saved as either TIFF or PSD files. Those layered files get saved in a folder within the RAW files, called "Master." Those layered TIFF master files are then used to final output files, whether that means JPG for the Web, TIFF or JPG for print or what have you. Final output files are saved in separate folders, depending on the output type. So for a given shoot / event / card, I'll have a folder with all of the RAW files and inside that folder there will be a Master and a Web folder and there might also be a Print folder. If photos go for print publication, I'll also have a folder with the name of that publication that has the final files I made for that output.

[BlueRob]

I do have almost the same work flow as John, I do save my RAW´s into Tiff to edit them in PS.

[jetrim]

Since switching over to Photoshop, I've been really hesitant about saving layered tiffs, mostly because of the file size. The first dozen head shots I retouched for print worked out to an average file size of 1.1gb, that seems a bit excessive to me. When I do save tiffs I flatten them first. If I think I may want to readjust or process differently later, I'll save a .psd copy

[drg]

Always save your RAW files as they come from the camera! The RAW file data is your original digital negative regardless of its format or camera source. It is the best original image data you will have.

Once you decide on the final use of an image, then you can determine JPEG or TIFF for example as an output. Different printing methods, web/web posting, email will require different sizes and color spaces for the most effective results.

The intermediate or 'work' version may depend upon how much adjustment or effect you need to get the image desired. Layered TIFF of PSD (variants of the same thing by the way) along with sidecar or .XMP files will let you step through the various changes at a later date and give you a history of the work. However these are as mentioned prone to produce huge sized files!

I went to using Adobe Lightroom as my entire front end for processing so that large portions of my work are maintained as a database of changes with only a virtual version of each image actually stored. There is a history, the ability to create multiple versions of each photo for different outputs, and compare them with the original default RAW conversion side by side without have to generate a full size output. It can easily be set up to generate a different version of each photo for each type of output from thumbnails for web page design to large output for art prints.

Lightroom provides very effective and virtually seamless interchange with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements and then the changes are available for viewing and evaluation in the Lightroom interface. By optimizing the setup and options between PS and LR one can keep lots of images sorted, edited, and available without the storage overhead of creating several Mega if not Gigabytes of storage requirement for each individual photo.

Please remember to backup your work to multiple sources!

[Mike_Rimmer]

Thank you all for your advice.

So, treat the RAW file as an original negative, cherish and preserve it. I presume off PC backups are also in order; would one recommend CD, DVD or external hard drive, I understand there are pros and cons with each.

One more thing, I'm currently using Photoshop (sons) but will possibly be using 'Elements' at some future date, once I get my own PC. Would I be right in thinking TIFF files are universal in that they transfer between image editors - so files I convert from RAW in Photoshop now I'll be able to open in, say, 'Elements' in the future?

Oh, and if I were to give a file to my daughter-in-law (of my grand son, for instance) so she could go have it printed in a high street store, what format would be preferable for that purpose?

Thanks again for your information, most helpful (though a tad confusing, I have to say - still, early days).

[Mike_Rimmer]

Oh, and if I were to give a file to my daughter-in-law (of my grand son, for instance) so she could go have it printed in a high street store, what format would be preferable for that purpose?

OK, I've answered that myself; JPEG.