Published: November 1, 2005
By Scott Kelby, Editor, Photoshop User magazine
Sometimes in life, it's the little things that really matter, and I guess that's why I really get a kick out of some of the little Photoshop tips that seem to fly under the radar. These are the ones that don't get lots of press, but can make a big difference in your everyday workflow, and the more time you save during production, the more time you have to be creative (which is infinitely more fun)! So, here's a list of 10 of my favorite little known tips for using Photoshop CS2's Camera Raw:
1. Resetting the original white balance fast!
Besides setting the white balance in Camera Raw using the pop-up menu, and the Temperature and Tint sliders, you probably already know that you can also use the White Balance tool (it looks like a gray eyedropper in the top-left of the dialog) to manually set the white balance by clicking on a neutral area (ideally something in the image that is light gray). However, here's a little tip that snuck under the radar—if you don't like the results you get with the White Balance tool, you can instantly reset the white balance to the original "As Shot" white balance by simply double-clicking on the White Balance tool itself.
2. Image sorting in Camera Raw made easier
A number of photographers who shoot exclusively in RAW choose to do their image sorting in Camera Raw itself (rather than in Adobe Bridge), and if that's the case, you can decide which images to delete from right within Camera Raw. Here's how: Just click on the thumbnail of the image you want to delete (from the open images in the filmstrip on the left side of the Camera Raw dialog), and then press the DELETE key. This adds a small red "X" to the image, meaning it's marked for deletion. When you click Done (or Save), any marked images will be sent to the Recycle Bin. By the way, if you've marked a RAW image for deletion and then you change your mind, just click on the thumbnail, and press the DELETE key again to "unmark" it.
3. Save time when saving
Don't need the Save Options dialog that appears when you choose Save in the Camera Raw dialog (for example, you don't need to batch rename or choose a different file format)? You can totally bypass that dialog by holding the ALT key before clicking on the Save button.
4. Stash 'em or trash 'em
Remember how I mentioned those photographers who decide which images to keep and which to delete right from within Camera Raw? Well, to help you sort out the keepers from the losers, you can use one of Bridge's tricks by rating your images from right within Camera Raw. Here's how: Click on any photo thumbnail (from the open images in the filmstrip on the left side of the Camera Raw dialog) then press CTRL+PERIOD to add a star rating. Each time you press that shortcut, it gets another star (up to five stars). To lower an existing rating, press CTRL+COMMA.
5. Tips for bigger previews
Want a bigger preview in Camera Raw? Double-click directly on the divider line that separates the filmstrip of open images from the preview area, and it will tuck itself out of the way. To bring it back, double-click on the divider line again. Want even more room? Then turn off the checkbox for Show Workflow Options at the bottom-left of the dialog, and you'll get the maximum space for your Preview.
6. Tips for comparing multiple images
This is a great tip to help you compare multiple photos in Camera Raw. Let's say you've got a dozen studio portraits open in Camera Raw. When you're comparing the images, you'll want to have all the photos at the same magnification, right? Right! Here's how you do just that: First select the images (you can choose Select All from the top-left of the dialog, to select all the photos open in Camera Raw). Now when you use the Zoom tool (it looks like a Magnifying Glass), and zoom in on the image in your Preview window, all the photos will zoom to that magnification. Even better, you can use the Hand tool to move around within the image, and all the other photos will move to the same area as well, which makes comparing multiple images that much easier.
7. A faster way to include your copyright and contact info
If you've been looking for a better way to apply all your copyright and contact info to all your RAW images, why not try creating a Metadata template (it's much easier than it sounds, and once you try it, you'll fall in love with it). Here's how simple it is: You start in Photoshop by creating a new blank document (make sure you don't have any photos open, it needs to be a clean blank document). Next, go under the File menu and choose File Info. Now, in the info fields, type in whatever you want (copyright info, your contact info…anything—this is your area to put in the info you want embedded into your photos). Now, go to the File menu, choose File Info and then choose Save Metadata Template. Name this template (something like "My Copyright Info" would work), and then click OK. Now, to apply all of this info to any of your RAW photos, just select them all in Bridge, go to the Metadata palette in the bottom-left corner of the window, and from its flyout menu, under Append Metadata, choose My Copyright Info. In just seconds, every selected photo will have your copyright and contact info embedded right into the file. Sweeeet!
8. Make your double-click open in Bridge, not in Photoshop
When you double-click on a RAW photo in Bridge, it opens in Photoshop's Camera Raw. If you click on the same RAW image in Bridge and press CTRL+R, it opens within Bridge's Camera Raw. However, if like many people, you do most of your RAW processing in Camera Raw (leaving Photoshop free to do things like retouching and collaging), then you can configure Bridge so that when you double-click on a RAW photo, it opens in Bridge, rather than in Photoshop. To do that, in the Bridge Edit menu and select Preferences, and in the list of preferences on the left side of the dialog, click on Advanced. When the Advanced Preferences dialog appears, turn on the checkbox for Double-Click Edits Camera Raw Settings in Bridge.
9. Open RAW images without auto correction
By default, when you open a RAW image in Camera Raw, it automatically tries to correct the image exposure for you (that's why those Auto checkboxes are turned on right below Exposure, Shadows, Brightness, and Contrast). However, if you'd prefer the auto corrections were turned off by default (leaving it up to you if you want one or more auto corrections turned on), just open a RAW photo in Camera Raw, turn off all four Auto checkboxes, then go under the Camera Raw flyout menu and choose Save New Camera Raw Defaults.
10. Get a real "raw" uncorrected preview
Anytime you want to see what your image looks like without all the auto correction settings turned on (just like it came out of the camera), simply press CTRL+U. To toggle the auto corrections back on, press the same shortcut.
Well, there you have it—a few of my very favorite, little known (or at least lesser known) tips for using Adobe Photoshop CS2's Camera Raw. I hope you found at least a couple that you can start using to get more work done, faster, so you can spend more time playing and being creative.
Scott Kelby is Editor of Photoshop User magazine, president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), and is the world's #1 bestselling author of computer and technology books. For more background info, visit scottkelby.com.
