Image processing for dummies

[peterm1]

Hello. I am a (very) amateur photographer who just bought a used D60. I generally use Photoshop Elements 2 for editing photos. I see a lot of talk about RAW capture and processing and the software that can be used, but this is way over my head at this point.

My question is: can I get away with capturing the best quality JPEGS and editing those? Once I download them, should I save them in .psd format to edit them to avoide further degradation?

Basically I am looking for a quick overview of a simplified DSLR "workflow" in PE2 for non-professionals who want to get very good quality (such that most non-pros would still be very impressed by the quality) but don't need the absolute best.

Thanks!

[Longwatcher]

I think you have the right idea.

RAW is better the Jpeg, but ignoring that for a moment.

1. Load Jpeg from camera into computer

2. Make back-up copy of all jpeg files

3. Load copies of jpeg image into PS-E and make all the edits you want, but do not (repeat do not) save until all edits are done. [if you save as .psd before you are done it will make changes, but not as bad as saving as jpeg]

4. After all edits are done then "save as" a .PSD with a different file name in a different directory (I use the same file name with "-edited" added to the end (before .jpg or .psd)) just to be on safe side. If you need to save at a middle point in editing then always save as a .PSD file as this will keep the information in close to orginal form. If you want other to view then also save as jpeg format (after saving PSD version)

5. When done editing all images worth editing save the originals and edited images to CD-R for archive.

A couple of things are optional, but this procedure will make sure that:
A. You lose the minimum amount of quality in the process.
B. You are the least likely to lose the original image while editing if you make an non-undoable mistake.

Given the way I take pictures I archive my Raw images to CD-R, work from what is in the computer and then later cut a CD-R of the edited images in jpeg format as well as reduced sized jpegs (800x600 max size) so they can be viewed by others.

I currently use PS7 w/ACR, but until a few weeks ago used PS-E and Photodeluxe for editing.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Tim's advice is sensible by and large, but I don't agree with this bit|:

3. Load copies of jpeg image into PS-E and make all the edits you want, but do not (repeat do not) save until all edits are done. [if you save as .psd before you are done it will make changes, but not as bad as saving as jpeg]

There's no reason not to save your work as you go. I would open the JPG (a copy as Tim says) and immediately Save As PSD to avoid any subsequent accidents. Whether you choose to change the name is a personla preference. It's not inconceivable to spend several hours on an image, and it wouldn't be too sensible not to back your work up periodically during that time.

Save As a PSD 10 times will not degrade the image any more than saving it once.

Regards,