Lightroom: RAW conversion

[cyrillo07]

Can anybody guide me how to import RAW files and convert to jpeg to the Lightroom library? Very new to this(softwares), please use layman's term as much as you can.

Also, if I convert RAW to jpeg, will my original RAW file be erased?

[ifonline]

What are you trying to do? If you are simply trying to import your files, they will import as RAW files. If you ever need to export a JPEG, then you can do that. However, all of your RAW files will reside on your hard drive and be referenced by Lightroom. There is no need to import and convert to JPEG with Lightroom.

[cyrillo07]

Thanks for that instant reply.

Oh I see, so the conversion is later after doing the PP of the RAW file in Lightroom or Photoshop? So why do we need to convert into jpeg? Can I print it as RAW file after PP? Or the purpose of converting into jpeg is just to make a small file.

[ifonline]

It is possible, though not likely, that you could never convert your images to JPEG or anything else. Of course, all you would be doing is importing, editing, and printing. If you want to put the image on the web, it will need to be in a web supported format, such as JPEG. If you pass the image off to Photoshop for advanced editing, it will be a PSD or TIF.

To answer your question, though... the workflow would be something like this (although this is a very basic example):

1. Import your RAW images (CR2, NEF, etc.).
2. Review your images for keepers versus those that you want to toss away, apply ratings and/or color labels.
3. Edit your images (white balance, curves, etc.).
4. Maybe add metadata for location, copyright info, etc.

Now, where you go next depends on what you want to do. Want to do some advanced editing (filters, NIK Viveza, NIK Color Efex Pro, etc.), then within Lightroom, chose to edit your image with Photoshop. Lightroom will pass the image to Photoshop, which opens, and you can do what you need to do. Once done, save and close Photoshop, and Lightroom will pick up the changes to your file. You will now have your original RAW file (not really the original, but that level of detail is better left for another time), and a PSD or TIF file next to it with the changes you just made in Photoshop.

Want to upload your images to the web? You could export your images as JPGs and upload them with an FTP client. Or, you could use the Web module to make a web page, include images you select, and upload it to whatever host you chose. Or, you could go even further and use an export plugin to upload to a service such as SmugMug.

The capabilities within Lightroom are countless, and can quickly become overwhelming to someone that has never used such a program before. For example, you can combine multiple steps when importing so that you import your RAW images, rename them, apply a develop preset, and embed metadata. Don't let this seem like too much, though. It will all make sense the more you work with it.

Let me suggest a few places to visit:

1. Adobe Forums (http://www.adobeforums.com).
2. Lightroom Forums (http://www.lightroomforums.net).

Also, some reading I highly recommend:

1. Victoria Bampton's Lightroom eBook (http://www.lightroomqueen.com). <-- she's a member here
2. Scott Kelby's Lightroom book, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers.
3. Martin Evening's Lightroom book, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book.

Enjoy, and feel free to ask any questions.

[cyrillo07]

[quote=ifonline;5905959]You will now have your original RAW file (not really the original, but that level of detail is better left for another time), and a PSD or TIF file next to it with the changes you just made in Photoshop.

Are these PSD or TIF file ready to print?

The capabilities within Lightroom are countless

Thats why I choose this program:D First, mainly as a library but now, beginning to shoot in RAW

Thanks for the references.

Ian, thanks for your time. I really appreciate it. You enlighten me with your thorough response.

[cyrillo07]

Ian, I register at Lightroom Forum.
Wow, i get the Main Man!
Now I'll just browse the answer of my other thread.
Thanks a lot!

[ifonline]

No problem. Enjoy.