Workflow question (.cr2 and .psd

tony0778

I'm still a newbie with PSE7 and need some direction regarding workflow. Specifically, saving the original .CR2 RAW image. Here's my take - please advise/correct as needed.
1) open original .cr2 RAW and select "Duplicate" which results in a xxxx-copy.cr2.
2) Make all adjustments in the copy.cr2 file and save as a .PSD file.
3) If using a commercial lab, open the copy.cr2, edit if needed, save as a .jpeg.

Should I same ALL files within the same "version set"?

Am I making this too complicated? Please help!

craig_d

Maybe I'm missing something here because I don't use PSE, but why are you making a copy of the original .cr2 file? You said that you save your work in a .psd file, so it sounds like you end up with three copies of the picture: two identical .cr2 files plus the .psd file that contains the post-processed version. Seems like a waste of space, considering how large .cr2 files are.

tony0778

Hey Craig - thanks for the reply. I agree...it sounded confusing. What I meant was I: 1) save a duplicate .CR2 files for editing. After the edit is complete, I do a "save as" .psd. I only create a .jpeg as needed for printing or the web. So, in the end, I have one .cr2 (camera original), one .psd (edited RAW files), and one .JPEG if needed.

Does this explaination help? Sorry for the confusion.

craig_d

Okay. One file of each type sounds right.

BradfordBenn

I also don't have PSE but have found that my work flow works fairly well for both Lightroom (personal) and Photoshop (work a few product shots). I put it up on my blog, so rather than repost the whole thing here, you can find it at http://bradfordbenn.com/blog/2007/10/photography-work-flow/

tony0778

Thanks so much! I printed it for future reference. I also noticed that you're into motorcycles. I rode several years ago and would really like to get another bike sometime. Right now, I have too many hobbies, including photography!

arodney

The CR2 (all Raws) is read only! You don’t need to duplicate it, any Raw processor will access the read only data, build a new pixel based iteration based on how you render the data (alter the sliders). The CR2 is never touched. There’s no reason to duplicate them.

tony0778

Thanks Andrew. So, I open the .CR2 and "Save As" a .psd file. All edits will be made to the .psd file. The .CR2 will remain "untouched".

Do I understand your comment correctly?

arodney

tony0778 wrote:

Thanks Rodney. So, I open the .CR2 and "Save As" a .psd file. All edits will be made to the .psd file. The .CR2 will remain "untouched".

Do I understand your comment correctly?

Yes.

tony0778

Thanks for your patience Andrew. By the way, you have a great website with very helpful information thiat I'll refer to often.

BradfordBenn

tony0778 wrote:

Thanks so much! I printed it for future reference. I also noticed that you're into motorcycles. I rode several years ago and would really like to get another bike sometime. Right now, I have too many hobbies, including photography!

Glad to help. It might not work for you, but it has worked for me for the past couple of years.

One can never have enough motorcycles, and yes I have too many hobbies.