PhotoKat Loc: PA

I still don't know about LR. I have it, but am confused. I don't really use it, cause I don't know how. Yes, I have tried to watch videos, but when it gets to the folder section, that is where I get stumped. I know how to use the develop module, but the confusion is in folders. My question is, if I import my photos using LR, where are my RAW files stored? I also have PS CS6, of which I use ACR instead of or in conjunction with LR develop mod. I know that my files are in Adobe Bridge nice and safe, but I can't wrap my head around the virtual LR. Can someone help me to better understand this system?

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

They all likely work the same, but exactly which version do you have?

PhotoKat Loc: PA

Sorry Steve forgot to put that in. I have LR5.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

First thing is first, Lightroom does not actually import and store the images.

When you click the Import button, LR (very quickly) looks at the image, creates a "file" in it's database, generates a thumbnail, records where the Original image is and moves onto the next one.

The images you see on the screen in Lightroom are thumbnail representations of the image you have in your folder. When you open the develop module and start editing, you are still not touching the original photo, just a copy of it.

Suppose you have all your raw files stored in a folder called "Holiday" and you have imported these into Lightroom, in the library module on the left had panel you will see a folder list. This list will contain "Holiday" which if you click on it, will show all the thumbnails that LR has generated for that folder.

If you sneakily put a new picture into that folder on your hard drive without using LR to do it, LR will not know it is there and therefore will not generate a thumbnail for it. Easily corrected though.

Let me know if you want this post continued, ie am I making it clearer or more confused?

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

There are many on the forum with a better working knowledge of LR than myself, but as Searcher has begun to explain, when you import files to LR, your raw files have not moved, they are wherever you had originally stored them.

As you will often hear, LR is non-destructive, and all editing done in LR has no effect on your original file.

Once edited, your file(s) can then be exported as DNGs, TIFFs, jpegs, etc., and saved to a location of your choosing.

I personally use LR3, which offers 4 options when importing (Copy as DNG, Copy, Move, and Add). As I am only familiar with the one method I use, other members might be better able to explain the differences between these options.

PhotoKat Loc: PA

Thanks Searcher. I would like you to continue, but can you tell me where the original RAW file is. Thanks! Still confused about that. I guess I seem a little dense about it, but as we get older not so easy to learn new stuff!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Searcher, this is a good opportunity to run with your 12 RAW files theory, which I subscribe to, before the OP gets any deeper.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

PhotoKat,

It can be confusing. I suggest the book Adobe Lightroom Classroom in a Book, available nearly anywhere (Amazon, for sure). It takes you step by step through Lightroom, making an expert out of you in no time. True story!!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

The original RAW is wherever you put it. LR just adds it to the LR catalog where it is. LR will move it or make an extra copy of it somewhere IF you tell it to, but it won't decide to move it if you don't.

Therefore, when you import photos from your camera, YOU decide where. This is true whether you ask LR to do the import from camera or whether you do it using your computer's software and add it to LR later.

I would strongly suggest that you invest in a good LR book, there are many. It helps to have a ready reference at hand as you work through this. The develop module of LR is fairly intuitive but I remember being overwhelmed and confused by the other modules at first. Searcher is our "smartest" PP guy, so pay attention to him and subscribe to the Post Processing section of this forum so you can see all the great links he posts for free reference materials.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

If you want or need permanent, uninterrupted and easy access to your files or folders, I strongly urge you to:

- Put some thought into how you want your images sorted, and name folders in such a way as to facilitate your searches. Date or subject matter are probably most common.

- Import images from a location which LR will have consistent access to. Otherwise LR will not be able to find them once the original source has been moved (or removed, or re-named).

- Consider keywording files and/or folders. This could facilitate searches once your catalog has grown.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Ok, After you shot the photos, you must have either plugged the camera into the computer, or taken the memory card from the camera and plugged it into a card reader or directly into the computer.

At that point, where the images go is still under your control.

In Lightroom, right click on one of the images in the Library and choose "Show In Explorer"

The folder in which that image is stored will open. The files you see are the real ones, not virtual copies or anything like that.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

When you are in Bridge, the folders you see are representations of the real folders. When you double click on one of those folders it will open and reveal the picture files. This is the same as Lightroom. Up to this point, Bridge and Lightroom are very similar except for the layout.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Hopefully you will have tried the above.
So now go the Lightroom Library, Click Folders on the left hand panel, scroll down the list of folders until you find the folder that you opened in Explorer. Click to open and once again you should see your files.

Any problems so far?

PhotoKat Loc: PA

Wonderful! Thank you for all the support guys.