Newbie to RAW workflow

[R9user]

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Hi,

 

although I have had Leica digital cameras for some time , I have never really used processing software and I now want to start. I have done a Photoshop course and used CS2 to "play" with some of my photographs. I also used Photoshop Elements to view the pics.

 

I am fortunate to have a Apple Mac Pro with 6GB Ram and heaps of HD space. I also use bootcamp and can boot in either windows XP SP3 or Snow Leopard (each OS on its own HDD) then I have a 1 TB HDD for my files music etc and a 1 TB HDD only for photos. So OS/computing power/memory/HDD is not a determining factor for me.

 

Due to having bought a number of Leica products over the years I have the following software installed and available on both OS's

 

Adobe CS2 (only in Windows)

Adobe Elements (got this with my DMR and DLux 3) (both MS Windows and MAC OSX)

Adobe LR (got this with my M9) (both MS Windows and MAC OSX)

C1 v4 (Got C13 with M8 and used free upgrade) (both MS Windows and MAC OSX)

 

Now for my question:

 

Can anyone recommend a website or explain the workflow process ie (and I am just guessing here) taking DNG file > convert to JPEG or TIFF > Edit in CS2 (or Elements or C1 or LR depending on preference and what needs to be done) etc.

 

Which is the easier route to follow for a newbie i.e which packages should I use in what order. At present I shoot in both DNG and JPEG on my M9 and I found that importing the files there is a clear difference in the colour when viewing the DNG and the JPEG side by side in Elements

 

Sorry but as a newbie I am not familiar with the terminology or the process and need some pointers. Any help or references to books/ websites will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Arthur

[Jeff S]

The books by Scott Kelby (LR, CS, etc) are complete and easy for a novice to follow, if one ignores his grating humor.

 

He and others also have online training programs for those who prefer that method. I recommend the book(s).

 

Jeff

[msk2193]

Arthur,

 

Welcome aboard to the digital darkroom.

 

Since your version of Photoshop is quite "old" now, I would forget about that. Lightroom is a much more advanced program and will allow you to do most if not all editing work. There were way too many great improvements between 2 and 3 and again 3 and 4. The new Camera Raw converter in CS4 works very well.

 

The only thing Lightroom does not allow you to do is manipulate images through layers (unless there is some thing I don't know - I use Photoshop CS4) but everything else it is capable of doing really well.

 

I like the following website for their training videos. Not too costly and no video runs for too long. Kelby Online Training | Classes in Digital Photography | Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Camera Raw, Dreamweaver, After Effects, Final Cut Pro | Kelby Training Scott Kelby also has several books out as Jeff stated.

[R9user]

Jeff and Michael,

 

thanks I will start with your recommendations.

[cidereye]

The books by Scott Kelby (LR, CS, etc) are complete and easy for a novice to follow, if one ignores his grating humor.

 

He and others also have online training programs for those who prefer that method. I recommend the book(s).

 

Jeff

 

Grating being the operative word!

 

He does explain CS/LR so well though, I can also thoroughly recommend the Martin Evening book on CS4 too:- Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers: A Professional Image Editor's Guide to the Creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC: A Professional Image ... Use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC: Amazon.co.uk: Martin Evening: Books

[Jeff S]

Agree. I've found info in Evening's books not in Kelby's, and vice versa.

 

Jeff