tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2008-08-07://53 2011-10-13T12:00:00Z Movable Type Pro 4.21-en tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.47276 2011-10-13T12:00:00Z 2011-10-13T12:00:00Z

As photographers we can easily fall into the deep well of creative pursuits and forget about the practical side to creating images. While the rights to your image are set the moment you press the shutter release, proving that is another matter. And that is where the value of registering your copyright becomes important. Most, if not all, countries have some sort of creative protections in place. I will look at this from the U.S. perspective so please investigate your country's copyright laws and procedures if you are not in the U.S..

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com As photographers we can easily fall into the deep well of creative pursuits and forget about the practical side to creating images. While the rights to your image are set the moment you press the shutter release, proving that is another matter. And that is where the value of registering your copyright becomes important. Most, if not all, countries have some sort of creative protections in place. I will look at this from the U.S. perspective so please investigate your country's copyright laws and procedures if you are not in the U.S.. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.47275 2011-10-11T12:00:00Z 2011-10-11T12:00:00Z

Adjustment brushes are a really nice feature in Lightroom. Since they made their appearance localized adjustments became easy within Lightroom and I have found less of a reason to roundtrip images to Photoshop for these kinds of edits. A few months ago we took an in-depth look at the adjustment brush, Adjustment Brush Basics - Part 1 and Adjustment Brush Basics - Part 2. If you are unfamiliar with this tool that would be a good place to start.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Adjustment brushes are a really nice feature in Lightroom. Since they made their appearance localized adjustments became easy within Lightroom and I have found less of a reason to roundtrip images to Photoshop for these kinds of edits. A few months ago we took an in-depth look at the adjustment brush, Adjustment Brush Basics - Part 1 and Adjustment Brush Basics - Part 2. If you are unfamiliar with this tool that would be a good place to start. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.47274 2011-10-07T12:00:00Z 2011-10-07T12:00:00Z

This is a topic that has been covered more than once on quite a few sites. However, it never hurts to review some fundamentals in Lightroom since there are new users everyday! I received two emails last week with virtually the same question about Develop presets. Both readers were having issues when creating and applying their presets since the application of the second (or third or fourth) preset would alter a setting they did not want to alter. One reader's conclusion was that Lightroom's presets were not stackable. This, of course, is not at all true. Once you understand how presets work and how to create them properly, you can stack presets on top of one another and only change the parameters you intend to change.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com This is a topic that has been covered more than once on quite a few sites. However, it never hurts to review some fundamentals in Lightroom since there are new users everyday! I received two emails last week with virtually the same question about Develop presets. Both readers were having issues when creating and applying their presets since the application of the second (or third or fourth) preset would alter a setting they did not want to alter. One reader's conclusion was that Lightroom's presets were not stackable. This, of course, is not at all true. Once you understand how presets work and how to create them properly, you can stack presets on top of one another and only change the parameters you intend to change. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.47273 2011-10-03T12:00:00Z 2011-10-03T12:00:00Z

Every camera manufacturer has its own way of storing the raw data that comes from the sensor. Several manufacturers even develop different formats for different cameras (or create a new format and abandon an older one). It sometimes seems that each new model introduces some wrinkle into the manufacturer's raw format. We see the effect of this in a lag between the release of a new camera and Lightroom's ability to interpret and render images from these new raw formats. While Adobe is rather good at deciphering new raw formats and providing support in a timely manner, they saw room for a new and open standard to store raw data. Enter the DNG, or Digital Negative, raw format.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Every camera manufacturer has its own way of storing the raw data that comes from the sensor. Several manufacturers even develop different formats for different cameras (or create a new format and abandon an older one). It sometimes seems that each new model introduces some wrinkle into the manufacturer's raw format. We see the effect of this in a lag between the release of a new camera and Lightroom's ability to interpret and render images from these new raw formats. While Adobe is rather good at deciphering new raw formats and providing support in a timely manner, they saw room for a new and open standard to store raw data. Enter the DNG, or Digital Negative, raw format. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.47112 2011-08-28T18:40:46Z 2011-08-28T18:40:46Z

So you're having some problems opening your raw files? Don't worry. It happens every now and then. Especially if you have one of those fancy new cameras that just hit the stores yesterday! The problem is that new cameras often bring with them new proprietary raw file formats.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com So you're having some problems opening your raw files? Don't worry. It happens every now and then. Especially if you have one of those fancy new cameras that just hit the stores yesterday! The problem is that new cameras often bring with them new proprietary raw file formats. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.46761 2011-07-04T16:10:05Z 2011-07-04T16:10:05Z

As photographers we tend to be visual people. When we get stuck creatively we try to jump-start our idea engine. Looking at other photographers' work is one way. Brainstorming and making a list of ideas can be another. But lists of ideas may not be what you are looking for. At least for me, lists are too dry and don't fit the way I think. That's where I find mind mapping really fits! If you aren't familiar with mind maps take a look at the Wikipedia article. Another good source is Tony Buzan's site. While Mr. Buzan's claim to inventing mind maps is still being debated, he has contributed greatly to the concept.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com As photographers we tend to be visual people. When we get stuck creatively we try to jump-start our idea engine. Looking at other photographers' work is one way. Brainstorming and making a list of ideas can be another. But lists of ideas may not be what you are looking for. At least for me, lists are too dry and don't fit the way I think. That's where I find mind mapping really fits! If you aren't familiar with mind maps take a look at the Wikipedia article. Another good source is Tony Buzan's site. While Mr. Buzan's claim to inventing mind maps is still being debated, he has contributed greatly to the concept. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.46529 2011-06-03T12:00:00Z 2011-06-03T12:00:00Z

By now you've had a chance to wander around the Slideshow module and get familiar with some of the controls we looked at in The Slideshow Module - Part 1: Basic Tour. If you haven't spent much time in this module before, I hope the basic tour was helpful and encouraged you to try things out. Let's finish up our tour of the Slideshow module and then we can talk about a few tips/tricks to make your slideshows snappier. After that we should talk about some issues and concerns with how Lightroom has implemented slideshows and some possible alternatives if you still want more slideshow pizzazz than Lightroom can deliver.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com By now you've had a chance to wander around the Slideshow module and get familiar with some of the controls we looked at in The Slideshow Module - Part 1: Basic Tour. If you haven't spent much time in this module before, I hope the basic tour was helpful and encouraged you to try things out. Let's finish up our tour of the Slideshow module and then we can talk about a few tips/tricks to make your slideshows snappier. After that we should talk about some issues and concerns with how Lightroom has implemented slideshows and some possible alternatives if you still want more slideshow pizzazz than Lightroom can deliver. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.46528 2011-05-31T12:00:00Z 2011-05-31T12:00:00Z

There are many articles, tips, and tutorials about the Library module. Even more has been written on wandering through the complexities and features of the Develop module. No doubt that these two modules are at the heart of Lightroom and where we spend the majority of our time. But Lightroom does have three other modules! The Print module seems to be the next most familiar. However, when I talk to users I am always surprised at how few ever really venture into the Web and Slideshow modules. Many have taken a look when they started using Lightroom. Few have returned. So let's take a tour!

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com There are many articles, tips, and tutorials about the Library module. Even more has been written on wandering through the complexities and features of the Develop module. No doubt that these two modules are at the heart of Lightroom and where we spend the majority of our time. But Lightroom does have three other modules! The Print module seems to be the next most familiar. However, when I talk to users I am always surprised at how few ever really venture into the Web and Slideshow modules. Many have taken a look when they started using Lightroom. Few have returned. So let's take a tour! tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.46112 2011-04-18T12:00:00Z 2011-04-18T12:00:00Z

There are quite a few features in Lightroom to help you automate your workflow. In every module you will find things to make your life easier! Well, workflow-wise anyway. Publish Services offer a streamlined way to keep your catalog and remote sites in synch. Develop presets let you quickly apply settings you have honed over time. Publishing a website? The Web Module assists you in putting it all together and even has FTP built in to get your masterpiece up on the web in no time! And so the list goes.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com There are quite a few features in Lightroom to help you automate your workflow. In every module you will find things to make your life easier! Well, workflow-wise anyway. Publish Services offer a streamlined way to keep your catalog and remote sites in synch. Develop presets let you quickly apply settings you have honed over time. Publishing a website? The Web Module assists you in putting it all together and even has FTP built in to get your masterpiece up on the web in no time! And so the list goes. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.46066 2011-04-03T14:40:47Z 2011-04-03T14:40:47Z

There's something new over at Adobe! A new feedback site has been launched over at photoshop.com! You can get there directly by going to feedback.photoshop.com. It looks to be a great way for users and the Photoshop Family teams to interact and discover new and exciting ideas for future versions of all the Photoshop Family applications. Whether it's Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Camera Raw, and yes, Lightroom, there is a way to not only offer up your ideas and suggestions but also interact and elaborate on them.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com There's something new over at Adobe! A new feedback site has been launched over at photoshop.com! You can get there directly by going to feedback.photoshop.com. It looks to be a great way for users and the Photoshop Family teams to interact and discover new and exciting ideas for future versions of all the Photoshop Family applications. Whether it's Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Camera Raw, and yes, Lightroom, there is a way to not only offer up your ideas and suggestions but also interact and elaborate on them. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.45962 2011-03-17T13:00:00Z 2011-03-17T13:00:00Z

Rob and Lauren over at Photography Concentrate were excited to send me their latest Lightroom tutorial Super Photo Editing Skills for review. I was happy to oblige having seen and reviewed some of their prior offerings. Before we get to the review, however, I have to say that Rob and Lauren are among the nicest people you will meet out there in cyberspace! The About section of their site says it all... We are two professional photographers who think this is the best job in the universe. We like it so much, in fact, that we want to help other people do it, so they can be super happy too.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Rob and Lauren over at Photography Concentrate were excited to send me their latest Lightroom tutorial Super Photo Editing Skills for review. I was happy to oblige having seen and reviewed some of their prior offerings. Before we get to the review, however, I have to say that Rob and Lauren are among the nicest people you will meet out there in cyberspace! The About section of their site says it all... We are two professional photographers who think this is the best job in the universe. We like it so much, in fact, that we want to help other people do it, so they can be super happy too. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.45705 2011-02-16T11:00:00Z 2011-02-16T11:00:00Z

Lightroom by its nature helps us be more efficient when working with our images. There are numerous features to speed us along the way when cataloging and processing. Presets, templates, keyword suggestions and so on, cut little bits of time off the tasks at hand. This makes our imaging life a little easier. However, let's not forget that Lightroom doesn't exist in an Operating System vacuum. There are many applications we can leverage to make Lightroom that much more efficient and powerful. We already know this. After all, we can round trip more complicated editing tasks to Photoshop. Many excellent plugins can be installed to fine tune our editing. So let's take a look at another way to enhance our Lightroom efficiency - text replacement utilities.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Lightroom by its nature helps us be more efficient when working with our images. There are numerous features to speed us along the way when cataloging and processing. Presets, templates, keyword suggestions and so on, cut little bits of time off the tasks at hand. This makes our imaging life a little easier. However, let's not forget that Lightroom doesn't exist in an Operating System vacuum. There are many applications we can leverage to make Lightroom that much more efficient and powerful. We already know this. After all, we can round trip more complicated editing tasks to Photoshop. Many excellent plugins can be installed to fine tune our editing. So let's take a look at another way to enhance our Lightroom efficiency - text replacement utilities. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2011://53.45571 2011-01-20T11:20:36Z 2011-01-20T11:20:36Z

The decorations are all put away. The fog of the New Year's Eve party has lifted. Life has returned to something resembling a normal schedule. 2011 is now with us and poised to be a great year for you. That is, if you choose to make it a great year. Rather than let the year slip away why not plan to learn more about Lightroom? Lightroom can appear to be a simple and straight-forward application. But don't be fooled. There are subtleties and nuances in every module. It is a rich program with a lot to offer. Let's explore it more in 2011. Don't call it a resolution to learn more about Lightroom (because we all know what happens to New Year's resolutions). Just work it into your regular routine. To assist you here are a few suggestions for things to explore further.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com The decorations are all put away. The fog of the New Year's Eve party has lifted. Life has returned to something resembling a normal schedule. 2011 is now with us and poised to be a great year for you. That is, if you choose to make it a great year. Rather than let the year slip away why not plan to learn more about Lightroom? Lightroom can appear to be a simple and straight-forward application. But don't be fooled. There are subtleties and nuances in every module. It is a rich program with a lot to offer. Let's explore it more in 2011. Don't call it a resolution to learn more about Lightroom (because we all know what happens to New Year's resolutions). Just work it into your regular routine. To assist you here are a few suggestions for things to explore further. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2010://53.43487 2010-12-03T14:00:00Z 2010-12-03T14:00:00Z

Lightroom has a great feature called Presets. Presets allows you to set up certain parameters and save them. Once saved, the preset can be applied to thousands of images at a time. If built properly, multiple presets can be combined for different effects.As powerful as presets are there are things they just cannot do. Ah, but Photoshop can help there! You see, Photoshop can also save things for later use. We call these saved sets of steps actions. If you aren't familiar with Photoshop actions here is the briefest of explanations. Whatever you can do in Photoshop (well, almost whatever) you can save in an action. That action can be played back on another image (or thousand images). The steps are dutifully executed as if you were performing them manually. By now you must be thinking "So what! Actions are in Photoshop and we're talking about Lightroom." True. But Lightroom has a very elegant way of passing images along to Photoshop and then applying an action. Remember that Lightroom's full name is Photoshop Lightroom. The secret lies in Lightroom's Export Actions. So let's take a closer look at how to do this.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Lightroom has a great feature called Presets. Presets allows you to set up certain parameters and save them. Once saved, the preset can be applied to thousands of images at a time. If built properly, multiple presets can be combined for different effects.As powerful as presets are there are things they just cannot do. Ah, but Photoshop can help there! You see, Photoshop can also save things for later use. We call these saved sets of steps actions. If you aren't familiar with Photoshop actions here is the briefest of explanations. Whatever you can do in Photoshop (well, almost whatever) you can save in an action. That action can be played back on another image (or thousand images). The steps are dutifully executed as if you were performing them manually. By now you must be thinking "So what! Actions are in Photoshop and we're talking about Lightroom." True. But Lightroom has a very elegant way of passing images along to Photoshop and then applying an action. Remember that Lightroom's full name is Photoshop Lightroom. The secret lies in Lightroom's Export Actions. So let's take a closer look at how to do this. tag:broadcast.oreilly.com,2010://53.43417 2010-11-26T13:00:00Z 2010-11-26T13:00:00Z

Last time we looked at how keywords are stored in your Lightroom catalog and where they live once saved to the image file's metadata. So now let's take a look at how keywords work when you export images and create new files. Each keyword has three export options associated with it: Include on Export, Export Containing Keywords, and Export Synonyms. These options are found in the dialog you see when creating or editing a keyword. While the options appear to be self-explanatory whether they will have an effect depends on whether or not Lightroom hierarchies are used for export or not.

Gene McCullagh http://lightroomsecrets.com Last time we looked at how keywords are stored in your Lightroom catalog and where they live once saved to the image file's metadata. So now let's take a look at how keywords work when you export images and create new files. Each keyword has three export options associated with it: Include on Export, Export Containing Keywords, and Export Synonyms. These options are found in the dialog you see when creating or editing a keyword. While the options appear to be self-explanatory whether they will have an effect depends on whether or not Lightroom hierarchies are used for export or not.