Expert: Scott Valentine - 2/25/2008

Question
I'm sure you also use Lightroom for a variety of purposes alongside PS.

Normally, I would use LR to correct color balance and perform some light recovery and exposure on my CR2 raw files, thereafter converting it to PSD for further manipulation before finalizing it to JPG.

My problem is with the noise. Say I shot a picture at ISO 800. In order to correct for the noise, I first use LR to convert to PSD, then use PS to correct the noise using Neat Image plugin, resave the PSD file, go back to LR to correct color balance and etc, then again resave the PSD and go back to PSD to finalize to JPG.

I find that is very cumbersome and would like to know from you is there a better alternative, assuming there is a need to first correct the noise.

Thanks
J. Cross

Answer
Thanks for your question, Jeremy. Lightroom (LR) supports Photoshop (PS) plugins, so you can use Neat Image directly from LR. The only reason to go to PS from LR is to take advantage of advanced compositing and graphics techniques. If you are only using PS for noise reduction, you are doing yourself a disservice. LR's photographic tools are much better for your work flow all by themselves.

Here is an introduction to work flow with LR & PS that may help clarify a few things for you:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/software/Adobe_digital_workflow/index.ht...

I hope this helps - if you have further questions, please feel free to ask!

-Scott