11 Nov 09: Software #4: Digital Asset Management – from photo to Photoshop

This blog explains the process of importing a photograph into Lightroom through to exporting it into Photoshop

We had been using some perfume bottles earlier in the day in the studio, so I took one of these and placed it on a table by the window.Having taken the picture I went through the following steps:
1. Imported the files into Lightroom
I imported the files from the memory card using a card reader so selected the import option “Import files from disk” from the File menu

then selected the filesto be imported:

Then selected a folder on the hard drive (1), chose to organise the files by date (2) and gave them a custom name (3).

2. Organised the pictures and add relevant metadata to each file in the ‘Library’ module

Using the metadata sidebar, I typed my name as the creator for each file (1) and synchronised this metadata to the rest of the files (3). I also rated the pictures using the star method (2) and added a caption to the photographs (4).

3. Added a preset to a chosen 5 star photograph

Using the ‘Develop’ module I applied a preset to the chosen photograph (left of screen) and checked the photograph for colour accuracy and tonal details (highlights and shadows) and adjusted as necessary (right of screen):

4. Exported the photograph into Adobe Photoshop

I selected “Export” from the File menu

and created a folder for the file to be exported to (1), gave the files a custom name (2) and set the file type to JPEG of high quality:

I then set the file size (4) and chose to open the file after export into Photoshop (5)

After clicking on "Export" the file opens in Photoshop:

Some tips on using layers and some of the other tools in Photoshop are covered in my later blog Software #5: Photoshop - working with layers.