Pls Recommend New Lightroom Workflow to Replace Old PS+Bridge Workflow

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ftelliott

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Hello Everyone

New Lightroom user, experienced Bridge+Photoshop user. I shoot competitive sailing events. In search of more speed and simplicity. Shoot RAW with D2Xs cameras. I am also undertaking a major redesign and redeployment of my website and this will necessitate making new JPEGS for my entire catalog (approx 15,''' images). So this gives me a great opportunity to rethink my post processing.

Current workflow consists of:

1. Shoot in RAW
2. Transfer RAW files from CF card to laptop "work in process" folder using OS. There are usually 8''-12'' images
3. Open Bridge and let it build it's cache (XMP sidecars)
4. Rename all files with an event tag and sequence #
5. View each image in slideshow mode, giving "keepers" a 2-star rating (there are usually 8'-15' of these)
6. Open groups of the keepers in ACR, depending on lighting, etc
7. Adjust WB, exposure, level and crop, some shadow recovery, spot removal etc
8. Click on Done for that group; loop through all keepers until all are "finished"
9. From Bridge, launch an action that: applies a moderate smart sharpen, noise ninja, saves as PSD in one folder, saves as JPEG in another
1'. Use JPEG online, PSD as needed for hi rez publication/printing

Two areas to consider:
A. A LR workflow that goes back to the original NEF but keeps the old ACR adjustments (at least the crop and level) so I can easily regenerate my new JPEGS
B. A new LR-based workflow for future events to replace my existing workflow. A significantly FASTER one!

I'm excited about trying a new approach/application but I've earned so many bruises with PS+Bridge over the past 6 years I'm very reluctant to leap off this cliff. Adobe software has punished me too many times. :(
 
LR can easily handle steps 2-4 right in the Import dialog. Step 5 will be more or less the same in LR.

It's hard to know without actually seeing what you do, but you might be able to do Steps 6-8 right in
LR's Library module using Quick Develop. If not, you'll be in Develop with Auto Sync enabled.

I'm surprised you find the need for Noise Ninja for competitive sailing -- what ISO are you shooting?
In any case, hopefully LR3's improved noise reduction will be to your liking, because this is where the LR workflow will get a little unnatural. I'd encourage you to re-think your need for NN.

If you don't need NN, then Step 9 is just an Export Preset or Web plug-in (or, in LR3, the new Publish).
It'll create your JPEGs with export sharpening, and upload to your web site in one swell foop.

Are you the sort of person who's going to figure all this out yourself, or are you looking for LR training or a one-on-one consultant in your area?
 
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