Sometimes I think it’s because it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. The reality is that I choose to work with one system of Adobe Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) rather than try to learn a newer program and workflow such as Lightroom. The old saying applies, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Adobe Bridge
Those that don’t use it regularly may not realize how powerful Bridge and Camera Raw are in working with your files. I find that working through my files using Bridge is quick and easy. Deleting files after import is as quick as hitting the delete key. Want to remove multiple files? Select a bunch and push delete. They move quickly to the trash bin.
Bridge uses my file system and the naming conventions I have worked out over the years. I navigate to the file folder and start to work. Should I wish to rename files, a dialog box makes this easy and quick.
I’ll cover my file folder naming convention system in another article.
In Bridge, I highlight as many files with which I would like to work. Highlighted RAW files open in ACR. If I have a similar batch of images in the same lighting conditions I can process one photo and then synchronize to all the others. At that point images can be opened for further processing or pushing the Done button returns them to Bridge with the settings applied. At that point I can further review my favorites for further processing.
Adobe Camera Raw
Adobe Camera Raw, or ACR for short, leverages the same multi-file processing power found in Lightroom without having to deal with catalogs. After ACR processing the files move to Photoshop for additional massaging.
If you don’t have a solid naming convention in your folder system and work with thousands of images Lightroom may be for you as it is specifically a Digital Asset Management system.
Direct process to Photoshop
From the menu bar in Bridge there is quick access to open the files in Photoshop. You can load all highlighted images as Layers in one file. Or access the Photomerge dialog box for creating panoramas. Even save out files in three different size or file formats in three separate folders with Image Processor.
In short Bridge accomplishes everything I want it to do. It’s an extremely powerful part of my workflow. Having grown up in the digital world with Bridge was an advantage. You can make it dance to your own tune as well with just a bit of study of the built-in features.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
Agree 100%. Very powerful and useful for me, as well.
Thanks Bill. On another note, How is Bosque doing for the birds this year? Still around?
I like using Br too. :-) But I gotta ask, is “lens-based artist” just another name for photographer?
Good question! I push my art images past photography. Calling myself a digital artist when trying to get gallery representation was getting me no where because ‘everyone’ is a digital artist these days. Changing my tag to Lens Based Artist allows me to take control of the conversation and explain that what I do is more than pushing a button to create my work. All of my source material comes through the lens of a camera, after that all bets are off. Getting the chance to explain the process to the gallery owners and potential art buyers before they get… Read more »
Bob, your explanation exceeded my expectations of the answer I was expecting. What you said makes perfect sense and is practical and easy to understand for me and your clients. So, “lens based artist” isn’t just a new haughty way to say photographer and that pleases me considering some of the new titles certain things have these days. Such as “reached out” has replaced contacted.
Are you on Flickr? I couldn’t find you but lots of other Bobs. ;-)
Hey Patrick, No you won’t find me on Flickr. My social media tags/links are at the bottom of my posts in the little bio.