Converting RAW to JPEG

[wilfredo]

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I hardly ever shoot JPEGS with my M8 or DSLR. I'm wondering if there is a way to do batch conversion of RAW files to JPEGS? This would allow me to share unprocessed images with friends who don't have the benefit of the advanced versions of PS.

 

Friends often get frustrated with me when I explain that I do each file one at a time.

 

Thanks.

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[andybarton]

Any RAW converter will allow you to do this.

[zlatkob]

Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and Capture One all do batch conversion. There is no need to do one at a time. In Lightroom, just select all and export. You can set the output size if you wish, or do full resolution.

[Pintpot]

Or shoot RAW + JPEG, and just fire the JPEG's off to your friends

[wilfredo]

I've stayed away from shooting RAW+JPEGS because I personally have little use for JPEGS and don't like using up space on my flash cards.

 

I haven't used Lightroom since I moved into the world of the IMAC. For some reason it doesn't seem to install properly, and since I primarily use PSCS4 I haven't bothered with it, but now it seems I could get some use from it. Is there an issue I should be aware of when installing the software I got with my M8 on my OSX Leapord version IMAC?

[01af]

Any raw converter will allow you to do this.

I haven't used Lightroom since I moved into the world of the iMac [...] primarily use PSCS4 [...] but now it seems I could get some use from it.

Photoshop will allow you to do this, too.

[zlatkob]

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I haven't used Lightroom since I moved into the world of the IMAC. For some reason it doesn't seem to install properly, and since I primarily use PSCS4 I haven't bothered with it, but now it seems I could get some use from it. Is there an issue I should be aware of when installing the software I got with my M8 on my OSX Leapord version IMAC?

 

Wilfredo, I am using Lightroom with OSX Leopard. No problems with installation. It's a great program.

 

For Photoshop: if you select multiple raw files and drag them into PSCS4, they will open the Adobe Camera Raw screen, and the raw files will appear as thumbnails in a column on the left side of the screen. Select all of them and click Save and they all get processed in a batch.

[01af]

For Photoshop: If you select multiple raw files and drag them into PSCS4, they will open the Adobe Camera Raw screen, and the raw files will appear as thumbnails in a column on the left side of the screen. Select all of them and click Save and they all get processed in a batch.

Unless you want to adjust the settings for all the images individually, that's the wrong way to do it. Do not open more than, say, one or two dozen raw files at once this way, or your machine will choke and slow down (or crash). To batch-process several dozen or hundreds of raw files in a row, use Photoshop's image processor (also accessible from Bridge).

[zlatkob]

Whether it's the wrong way may depend on the computer. I don't know about the iMac, but my 2 yr. old Mac Pro will load hundreds of photos into Adobe Camera Raw and process them without a crash. I'm pretty sure my 6 yr. old G5 could do it too, just slower. Image Processor in PS is certainly a good way to do it. Adobe's Bridge is one more option. Lots of options!

[01af]

Whether it's the wrong way may depend on the computer.

Some computers will stand mis-use better than others, depending on RAM and CPU power. Still, being able to open more than one raw file at a time in Camera Raw is not meant as a batch-processing feature, even though it will work to that effect when not trying to process too many files at once. Batch-processing is what the image processor is designed for.

[ptarmigan]

Many processes can be activated from Bridge and simple things like WB, exposure etc can often be best batch processed by opening ACR from bridge, adjusting one image, clicking on done and then applying those settings to a selection of images by simply selecting them and choosing Edit|Develop Settings| Previous

 

You can also create PS actions to convert to jpeg of a particular size, sharpen for output, set max file size/quality, embed sRGB profile etc, even save to a particular folder. Once you have the action, it's easy enough to select the images in bridge and then run the PS action.

 

I do think though that using the in camera jpeg (Raw+jpeg) option can be useful for fast access to jpegs.

[01af]

... simple things like white-balance, exposure etc can often be best batch-processed by opening Camera Raw from Bridge, adjusting one image, clicking on Done and then applying those settings to a selection of images by simply selecting them and choosing Edit|Develop Settings|Previous.

Umm ... does this actually create JPEGs, or does it just apply the settings to the selected raw files' metadata?

 

 

You can also create Photoshop actions to convert to JPEG of a particular size, sharpen for output, set max file size/quality, embed sRGB profile etc, even save to a particular folder. Once you have the action, it's easy enough to select the images in Bridge and then run the Photoshop action.

You can do that indeed ... but why the hassle of creating your own action when there's the image processor which can do all that and then some?

[andybarton]

Umm ... does this actually create JPEGs, or does it just apply the settings to the selected raw files' metadata?

 

 

 

 

No, but you can then batch export all the adjusted images as jpgs.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Wilfredo, even tho you can export all selected images under program control, I prefer to massage the images first.

 

This isn't such a bad task. In C1, in my case, I can produce client-ready jpg's at a rate of 50-100 per hour.

 

I rarely shoot jpg, as well.

[Big T]

Wilfredo, even tho you can export all selected images under program control, I prefer to massage the images first.

 

This isn't such a bad task. In C1, in my case, I can produce client-ready jpg's at a rate of 50-100 per hour.

 

I rarely shoot jpg, as well.

 

Ditto the above. I also us C1 to convert any DNG to JPG for the web and others viewing.....

[zlatkob]

Still, being able to open more than one raw file at a time in Camera Raw is not meant as a batch-processing feature, even though it will work to that effect when not trying to process too many files at once.

I can't be sure what Adobe intended. But if I recall correctly, ACR was available before Image Processor was added to Photoshop. There was a time when I used ACR for nearly all of my batch processing of Canon camera files. This was before they introduced Lightroom. Yesterday I tried loading 200 raw files into ACR and it took less than 20 seconds to load them. Full resolution jpegs get processed in 5 seconds or less. This happens in the background as I do other work. There is no sign of the computer choking or crashing. It seems to me that ACR works very well as a batch processor, wether or not one is making any adjustments to the files. And it's very easy to adjust some photos if needed while ACR is open. I mention this because Wilfredo already uses PSCS4, so he has ACR available for batch processing at any time.

[01af]

I can't be sure what Adobe intended.

But I can. Because I've read what Thomas Knoll (inventor of Photoshop and Camera Raw) wrote about how Photoshop's image processor and Camera Raw are supposed to be used to work together.

 

 

I mention this because Wilfredo already uses PSCS4, so he has ACR available for batch processing at any time.

Sigh. Sure he has ... and he also has the image processor.

[ArtZ]

Wilfre,

 

I also use Bridge + Photoshop (CS5 since last week, CS4 before and CS3 before...) to convert RAW to JPG in a batch.

 

As other people said, launch Bridge, select all the pictures you want to convert and choose "Open with..." and then select "Photoshop CSx (dafault)"

 

Once you are in Camera RAW, you'll see on your left all selected pictures. Click on the button "Select All" (if needed, modify ACR parameters: white balance, sharpness, noise reduction, color space...) and then hit "Save Images..."

 

Just choose now file folder, select the file extension and JPG quality settings... You're done!

 

PS: ACR 6.1 in CS5 is fantastic for noise reduction...

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[pleeson]

At the risk of being branded a cheapskate, what's wrong with using the free iPhoto?

Supports most Leica digital cameras, easy jpeg conversion, painless uploading to various websites.

And only one program to mess with.

Just an option....

[andybarton]

iPhoto's a bit basic for many people's needs.