workflow for Mac to PSE: I've recently upgraded my Mac to an iMac with Mojave. I typically upload all my images to Photos. I like the way they are organized with the albums and dates.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

I've recently upgraded my Mac to an iMac with Mojave. I typically upload all my images to Photos. I like the way they are organized with the albums and dates. The majority of my images I don't do a whole lot too (maybe exposure, crop here and there). But, there are those I want to really "play" with in Photoshop Elements 15. I am curious as to what an efficient workflow between the two would look like. Even ideas as to folder or file names would be appreciated.

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

I process on my 27-inch iMac. A great tool with plenty of space and regular backups.
Because I shoot in raw, I use ImageCapture to move my .nef files to folder FromtheCamera. After reviewing them and deleting junk, I process them with PSE and ACR into folder ToIPhoto, then import them into iPhoto, keyword them, etc.
After import I delete everything in ToIphoto, and move the .nefs to a FromtheCamera yearly subfolder and then into that year's monthly sub-subfolders.
If someone wants a printable file from any of my iPhotos, I always go to the .nef original and redo the photo to the customer's specs.

huntallen

If you like to use Photos to store and edit most files and get into the external program editing infrequently, try "External Editor for Photos" available in the App store. It lets you move in and out of photos without exporting, storing and re-importing. Not sure why it's not already a feature but certainly makes Photos a great library.

huntallen

If you like to use Photos to store and edit most files and get into the external program editing infrequently, try "External Editor for Photos" available in the App store. It lets you move in and out of photos without exporting, storing and re-importing. Not sure why it's not already a feature but certainly makes Photos a great library.

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

taj334 wrote:

I've recently upgraded my Mac to an iMac with Mojave. I typically upload all my images to Photos. I like the way they are organized with the albums and dates. The majority of my images I don't do a whole lot too (maybe exposure, crop here and there). But, there are those I want to really "play" with in Photoshop Elements 15. I am curious as to what an efficient workflow between the two would look like. Even ideas as to folder or file names would be appreciated.

I use Luminar which works as a plug-in for Photos. But I work in the other direction, I copy the raw files to the Mac, open them in Luminar and cull through them, edit the good ones, export them as JPEGs and then import them to Photos. There is a direct export to Photos as TIFF files as well.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

taj334 wrote:

I've recently upgraded my Mac to an iMac with Mojave. I typically upload all my images to Photos. I like the way they are organized with the albums and dates. The majority of my images I don't do a whole lot too (maybe exposure, crop here and there). But, there are those I want to really "play" with in Photoshop Elements 15. I am curious as to what an efficient workflow between the two would look like. Even ideas as to folder or file names would be appreciated.

I find that the majority of my jpegs are great, so I only process a very few raw images. I have two Memory Slots on my D7100 one for raw and one for jpegs. I load any raw files that I have interest in pursuing further right into Elements 2018. I keep them separate--raw in the Elements Organizer and jpeg's in Mac OS Photos. I have processed some raw files in Photos too. I agree that Photos is a great organizer, with so many built-in features i.e. photo sharing.

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

An easy way is to select a photo in Photos, click on EDIT in the window title bar, click on Edit with... find PSE (on your Macintosh HD) and click on it to open the photo in PSE. Not sure, you might be able to select 2 or 10 photos at once and process them sequentially. Just remember to flatten any layers before saving or exiting PSE.

don26812 Loc: South Bay of Los Angeles, CA

taj334 wrote:

I've recently upgraded my Mac to an iMac with Mojave. I typically upload all my images to Photos. I like the way they are organized with the albums and dates. The majority of my images I don't do a whole lot too (maybe exposure, crop here and there). But, there are those I want to really "play" with in Photoshop Elements 15. I am curious as to what an efficient workflow between the two would look like. Even ideas as to folder or file names would be appreciated.

Since you are using PSE 15, I would center my workflow around at and its Organizer/Catalog. From the Organizer, import directly from your camera/card reader storing them into whatever folder structure you prefer, use its keyword tags or and/or Albums to organize them, and then one of the many modes of the Photo Editor as needed.

The PSE Organizer can manage very large Catalogs. It sounds like you are familiar with the Photo Editor aleady.

FWIW

taj334 Loc: Long Island

don26812 wrote:

Since you are using PSE 15, I would center my workflow around at and its Organizer/Catalog. From the Organizer, import directly from your camera/card reader storing them into whatever folder structure you prefer, use its keyword tags or and/or Albums to organize them, and then one of the many modes of the Photo Editor as needed.

The PSE Organizer can manage very large Catalogs. It sounds like you are familiar with the Photo Editor aleady.

FWIW

Thanks for the advice but the last time I tried to open the Organizer I ended up on some sort of "licensing" loop. Oh well.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

FredCM wrote:

An easy way is to select a photo in Photos, click on EDIT in the window title bar, click on Edit with... find PSE (on your Macintosh HD) and click on it to open the photo in PSE. Not sure, you might be able to select 2 or 10 photos at once and process them sequentially. Just remember to flatten any layers before saving or exiting PSE.

Thanks for the reminder to "flatten". I tried the Edit with... and it does make it a lot easier. Thanks.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

Fred Harwood wrote:

I process on my 27-inch iMac. A great tool with pl... (show quote)

Thanks for the response. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with either .nef files or ImageCapture. I like the idea of yearly subfolders and monthly sub-subfolders though/

taj334 Loc: Long Island

ABJanes wrote:

I find that the majority of my jpegs are great, so I only process a very few raw images. I have two Memory Slots on my D7100 one for raw and one for jpegs. I load any raw files that I have interest in pursuing further right into Elements 2018. I keep them separate--raw in the Elements Organizer and jpeg's in Mac OS Photos. I have processed some raw files in Photos too. I agree that Photos is a great organizer, with so many built-in features i.e. photo sharing.

Thanks for the response. I hope I remember it. Sounds like a good way to use two memory slots. If I get a camera that has two, I'll try it.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

wds0410 wrote:

I use Luminar which works as a plug-in for Photos. But I work in the other direction, I copy the raw files to the Mac, open them in Luminar and cull through them, edit the good ones, export them as JPEGs and then import them to Photos. There is a direct export to Photos as TIFF files as well.

Luminar looks like an interesting program. I enjoy really "playing" with some of the images though. Am still learning about TIFF files (they're best for printing, right?) So much I don't know. Thanks for your input.

taj334 Loc: Long Island

huntallen wrote:

If you like to use Photos to store and edit most files and get into the external program editing infrequently, try "External Editor for Photos" available in the App store. It lets you move in and out of photos without exporting, storing and re-importing. Not sure why it's not already a feature but certainly makes Photos a great library.

Wow! I did what you suggested and by golly, it worked! I went to Edit and clicked on the ... extensions and I was able to choose Photoshop or PSE and a few others. Great. Going back and forth this way it doesn't mess with the date or take nearly so long. I am so grateful for your input. Thank you. Thank you.

jrm21

As you are finding out, you can use external image editing software directly from within Apple Photos. Both 3rd-party apps and extensions are available and the edits are non-destructive (original image can easily be recovered). This feature is built-in to Photos (both desktop and iOS versions).

Check out this Apple support link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205245

That article provides information to set up and use the feature.