My workflow problems and wake up call!

[bobrandklev]

I just realized something I should have many months ago but that is my own fault! I'm hoping other people can give me their feedback or guidance and get me back on track!

Bottom line my photos are going to my website without EXIF data and I've learned the problem is Photoshop Elements 6 and I've read the upgrade to v7 doesn't fix the problem either!

I'd be interested in how other people handle their image workflow or maybe I'm missing a step or two to solve my problem? Is there one program to do all this or what programs do you use?

Basicaly I shoot Canon RAW and import to my PC with Photoshop Elements v6. The files are renamed and put in folders by the date the photo was taken. I then stack and tag the photos with keywords I've setup. I rarely use the full editor as I open the RAW file I can crop/color correct/sharpen.

I then rename the files to be more consistent with one of the tags, I then write tag and image data into the file, add captions and then export to JPG.

Next I upload to my website and I don't have any EXIF data?

Should I not change what I'm doing and get a second party EXIF editor to add the data?
Should I change over to Lightroom or ?
Should I use the Canon tools like EX Browser/ DPP and only use elements when I need to create a video or special project?

Any better ideas?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

Bob

[jfriend]

Elements has ways to save JPEGs that have EXIF data intact and ways to save it where the EXIF data is stripped (same with full Photoshop CSx). Can you describe exactly which commands you are using to make the JPEGs?

[bobrandklev]

Elements has ways to save JPEGs that have EXIF data intact and ways to save it where the EXIF data is stripped (same with full Photoshop CSx). Can you describe exactly which commands you are using to make the JPEGs?

Yes I choose the photos in the catalog I want and click Ctrl-E (same as File>Export) and choose file type, quality, size, location and file rename if I like.

In the Elements forum this is a known problem since version 5 so I'm mad at myself for not realizing this sooner.

My goal here is to get feedback on others as to what programs/processes are best to use for my needs.

Thanks

[Art Scott]

in full blown versions of PS you have a choice of "saving as" or "saving for the web",,,,,,,,,the SFTW strips the exif to help make the files smaller......so with the export of PSE is there a choice of for the web?? If so do not use it.
I have not had a prob with either of my LightRoom version on this subject...

Good luck and please report back how you finally fixed the prob....

[bobrandklev]

UPDATE: There is no fix for Elements at this time and the new version 7 hasn't fixed the EXIF problem with RAW files either. I can stick with Elements and run a script/db program written by a very good support person on the Adobe forums. Although that will fix the immediate problem I think this is a sign to move on!

I did download Lightroom 2.1 in demo mode. It found my Elements catalog and import 20,000+ images and DB in less than an hour. All my tags, keywords were transferred and I was able to export from Lightroom and everything worked GREAT! All the EXIF data was there! So I thought this was the solution but...

a couple good sources told me although they do like Lightroom they feel the basic Canon programs are a bit better. They told me to just let Windows copy the files to a folder and open and do my RAW editing with Canon Digital Photo Professional. I agree no one would know better how to read the Canon RAW files than Canon so image correction could be better with DPP!

Problem is the next step of keywords/tagging isn't a simple solution with Canon software? Do I follow this plan and then use Lightroom for keywords/tagging etc or ???

What do other people do after using Canon DPP?

Do I just get a keyword/tagging program or just use what Canon has in DPP?

[Anthony]

[..]

a couple good sources told me although they do like Lightroom they feel the basic Canon programs are a bit better. They told me to just let Windows copy the files to a folder and open and do my RAW editing with Canon Digital Photo Professional. I agree no one would know better how to read the Canon RAW files than Canon so image correction could be better with DPP!

Problem is the next step of keywords/tagging isn't a simple solution with Canon software? Do I follow this plan and then use Lightroom for keywords/tagging etc or ???

What do other people do after using Canon DPP?

Do I just get a keyword/tagging program or just use what Canon has in DPP?

With the advent of camera profiles in Lightroom and ACR I think that Adobe has pretty well nailed the production of decent reproduction of Canon and Nikon RAW images. I use a Bridge/ACR/Photoshop workflow with my Canon equipment - having investigated Lightroom pretty fully and found the quantity of pictures I process insufficient to justify running both Lightroom and Bridge/ACR - and the degree of control, localised adjustments and especially TAT in ACR5.2 gives everything I need.

Either Lightroom or Bridge/ACR will cover all keywording requirements; the former if you need to process high numbers of images-per-shoot (weddings, sport, etc.) or the latter for more one-off, fine art type work.

Anthony.

[bobrandklev]

Thanks for the feedback Anthony. Your comments prompted me to do a Google search and this blog says a lot along the lines you did:

http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/1308

I'm going to start spending time learning Lightroom and taking classes online, DVD training, etc.