Photoshop non-destructive workflow ( + Topaz DeNoise)

[JoeB94]

Lightroom Version Number

Photoshop CC

Operating System

1. macOS 10.15 Catalina

Evening All,

I have a couple of questions regarding Photoshop workflow & then linking in Topaz DeNoise, that I’m hoping for a bit of clarification/advice if I may

So if I’m correct, if I have a RAW file and I open it in PS earthier directly or through Bridge then the file appears in ACR, where any standard raw processing gets saved onto a separate file, & so not effecting the actual raw file and then you can choose to finish there or go into PS. Now my first clarification question, is am I right that once in PS to ensure non destructive editing you need to use layers? I have read opening smart object used too but not sure if this is another more effective way or ensuring non-destructive editing in PS after ACR. (Of course I suppose the other fail safe is to always make a separate copy of the very original raw file, on transfer from sd card to iMac).

Following clarification of the above, I then wonder how I would then go about using Topaz DeNoise? Is this something that can also be done non destructively? And then the final thing, is what is the actual difference between saving in photoshop & exporting? I would want a jpg at the end of it & preferably the raw I can go back to.

One thing I must add, is I’m looking to use a workflow that does not use Lightroom and only uses PS, ACR & possibly Bridge.

Many thanks all, look forward to your help & advice

 

[clee01l]

Layers have nothing to do with non destructive editing. Layers just create a larger file. If your source file is a RAW format, Photoshop will invoke ACR to create an RGB image. When you save a PS file that was created from a RAW source file, PS will not save that back to the RAW format. That means that anything that you do in PS to that source RAW file results in a derivative file and is non destructive to that RAW source file.

Where PS has the potential of being a destructive editor is with RGB formats like JPEG, TIFF and PSD. If you open them with PS, and use the Save option you over write the source file with the modified JPEG, TIFF, or PSD.


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[JoeB94]

Layers have nothing to do with non destructive editing. Layers just create a larger file. If your source file is a RAW format, Photoshop will invoke ACR to create an RGB image. When you save a PS file that was created from a RAW source file, PS will not save that back to the RAW format. That means that anything that you do in PS to that source RAW file results in a derivative file and is non destructive to that RAW source file.

Where PS has the potential of being a destructive editor is with RGB formats like JPEG, TIFF and PSD. If you open them with PS, and use the Save option you over write the source file with the modified JPEG, TIFF, or PSD.


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Thank you so much for this! Out of everything I have been reading & told, this has made the most sense.

So if I may check my understanding is right, aslong as the source file is raw format, then anything you do in PS regardless of layers, everything is saved to a separate file. PS only effects the original source file if it’s a non raw format?

 

[clee01l]

Thank you so much for this! Out of everything I have been reading & told, this has made the most sense.

So if I may check my understanding is right, aslong as the source file is raw format, then anything you do in PS regardless of layers, everything is saved to a separate file. PS only effects the original source file if it’s a non raw format?

That is correct But I’ll add a caveat. DNGs may be the exception since DNGs can be RAW or RGB data and I’m not certain how PS might treat the save function if the Source file was a DNG.
As long as you are opening a RAW in Lightroom and passing that tp PS under the covers, PS is going to create a derivative TIFF or PSD so that when you save you will be saving to the derivative TIFF/PSD and not to the RAW original.


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[JoeB94]

That is correct But I’ll add a caveat. DNGs may be the exception since DNGs can be RAW or RGB data and I’m not certain how PS might treat the save function if the Source file was a DNG.
As long as you are opening a RAW in Lightroom and passing that tp PS under the covers, PS is going to create a derivative TIFF or PSD so that when you save you will be saving to the derivative TIFF/PSD and not to the RAW original.


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Brilliant! Thank you