Can I make these files any smaller?

[bergenjente]

Hey guys. I've got a RAW-to-JPG question (i'm brand new in the RAW). I'm sure it's been talked about, but I have not idea how to look for it. I have converted my RAW files to jpg with DPP, and have done all the editing. What I am wondering about is the file size. Once they've been converted to jpg, they are still very large compared to when I just shoot in JPG (about 9mb compared to about 2 or 3mb when i shoot in jpg).

Do you RAW shooters make these files smaller?

IF so, what's the quickest way to do this once they've been post processed?

The main reason I want to know, is because I am trying to store them on CDs in order to give the digital files to the bride and groom, but of course there are a ton of them and they are very large, and I can only get around 80 or 90 images on a CD.

I hope this isn't a dumb question with an obvious answer, but I had to ask anyway.

Thanks!

[tim]

You're using too little compression. Don't save them on absolute maximum quality, save them on 2-3 steps down. Photoshop goes from Q1-12, Q12 being the best, I use Q9 or Q10 for customer CDs and prints. Q8 is actually enough.

Mostly I convert straight from RAW to JPG. Anything you edit shouldn't be stored as JPG, it should be stored as a layered PSD file, as you don't lose quality with them like you do with JPGs.

Do you have photoshop? If so the image processor script (file->scripts->image processor) will convert any file format to whatever quality JPGs you want. If you don't then Irfanview will do it, probably with decent quality, and is free.

[bergenjente]

Mostly I convert straight from RAW to JPG. Anything you edit shouldn't be stored as JPG, it should be stored as a layered PSD file, as you don't lose quality with them like you do with JPGs.

Wow, thanks so much for the great info. Question on the PSD files. Honestly, I am pretty unfamiliar with this format. Can I give my clients the images in this format, where they will be able to make prints with them?

[tim]

No, you don't give customers psd files, you always give customers JPGs. Your workflow should be to convert images that don't need additional processing from RAW straight to Q8 or so JPGs. Anything that needs manipulation open in photoshop, do whatever work you like, preferably using layers so you can undo it easily, then save as a psd so you can go back to it later, then save it as a jpg for the customer. When you save as jpg then open it again you lose a little bit of image quality every time. Only a little, but since it's easy to avoid you should avoid it.

[bergenjente]

No, you don't give customers psd files, you always give customers JPGs. Your workflow should be to convert images that don't need additional processing from RAW straight to Q8 or so JPGs. Anything that needs manipulation open in photoshop, do whatever work you like, preferably using layers so you can undo it easily, then save as a psd so you can go back to it later, then save it as a jpg for the customer. When you save as jpg then open it again you lose a little bit of image quality every time. Only a little, but since it's easy to avoid you should avoid it.

Okay, Tim. Thanks for clearing up the fog for me. :) I use layers and CS2, but haven't usually saved in psd. But usually I'm finishing up my work right there and then, but that's good to know for when I can't finish right away. I appreciate your input! Truly!

[tim]

It's not just for when you can't finish, it's for if you want to tweak later. What if the customer doesn't like that you airbrushed out her beauty spot, or if you accidentally removed their belly button? You can't put back things you've removed with a jpg, you'd have to start again. Also if you're doing prints and you have to resize yourself you'll want a high res corrected image to start with, not a compressed JPG.

[René Damkot]

or if you accidentally removed their belly button?

Happens to the "best" of us ;)
Click (http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/2008/06/weekend-if-you-undo-your-belly-button.html) <<< Probably not entirely work safe.