Checking blown highlights

[ligennroc]

I am comparing images in the split view of Full Screen in Elements 2018 Organizer.

Is there any method of displaying either blown highlights or Clipped Shadows in this view to help in the choice of the best image to use.

[MichelBParis]

ligennroc  wrote

I am comparing images in the split view of Full Screen in Elements 2018 Organizer.

Is there any method of displaying either blown highlights or Clipped Shadows in this view to help in the choice of the best image to use.

No, not in in Full Screen view. Such blown highlights / clipped shadows indicators are only available in the ACR raw conversion module.

Did you consider using the ACR module as your primary Elements editing tool?

You are using a combo of three different modules in Elements - the editor - the organizer - the ACR converter.

Historically, the editor (the pixel editor) was the master.

The organizer was its powerful organizing and workflow tool.

The ACR module was only considered as a converter for raw files.

This looks very different from the way Lightroom integrates the three functions seamlessly.

We can understand that Adobe does not want Elements to be a serious competitor to both Lightroom and Photoshop CC, but let's look more closely at another way to consider the three parts of Elements.

- The ACR module works for jpegs as well as raws.

- it offers fully parametrical and non-destructive edits for all the fundamental tools (the missing ones being provided by the editor)

- it offers non-desctructive editing of big batches of files

- its correction tools for highlights/shadows, color and white balance, sharpening and denoising are both much easier and much more powerful than those in the editor.

In summary, much better quality and much faster workflow. 90% of my shots don't need further editing in the editor.

Two limitations.

- Limited ACR tools, but all the fundamental ones. The pixel editor may be needed for the missing ones, and it is necessary to save and print.

- The organizer works perfectly with the ACR module for raw files. Totally non-destructive and parametric workflow. Excellent management of version sets and stacks. But... you can't open jpegs directly from the organizer into the ACR module. And most users like me do use both raws AND jpegs, from my smartphone for instance.

The solution is to decide that all your jpegs (or most of them) should be opened in ACR the same way as raws, from the organizer.

After a shooting session of jpegs, I don't start from the organizer after downloading them. I use the editor to open a batch of jpegs selected in the explorer, maybe 50 at a time. They open all in the ACR module, I select all and apply any slight change (sharpness for instance) and click 'Done'. All those files are immediately saved non-destructively  with a metadata meaning they will be opened in the organizer the next time, just like raws.

Now, just like in Lightroom, you can work in the organizer indifferently with both jpegs and raws. It's easy to review your files for batch culling and rating as well as ulterior editing (white balance, non-destructive crop and straighten, clarity...) The full view is still useful, but for more precise judgment about clipping, just open automatically in the ACR...

[ligennroc]

Hi Michel,

Firstly, thanks for your help.

Unfortunately most of my photography is done outside under uncontrolled lighting conditions and I have never succeeded in getting consistent enough exposure and focus to enable me to use batch processing.

After reading articles referring to the use of ACR in Photoshop, it appears as if the version available in Elements is pretty basic.

Is there any way that a I can purchase the full Photoshop version of ACR separately to upgrade the Elements version?

I don’t want to upgrade to the full Photoshop, I am still struggling to come to terms with the more user friendly Elements, despite having starting with Elements 2!!

Regards

Nigel Cornfield

[MichelBParis]

After reading articles referring to the use of ACR in Photoshop, it appears as if the version available in Elements is pretty basic.

This is misleading.

Here is why: If you compare the Elements version to the photoshop version, Elements has three of the different tabs in Photoshop.

- The 'basic' tab, which should be named 'fundamental', not 'basic'. It has everything you need in your case, including the batch editing.

- The powerful 'detail' tab, for sharpening and noise reduction.

- The camera calibration tool.

The remaining tools are mostly available in the Elements editor. 90% of my shots are processed (generally batched processed) in ACR without needing further edits in the bitmap editor.

Ask if you need more help.

[ligennroc]

Hi Michel,

Thanks this is most re-assuring.

One of the features missing is channels…but I am probably not advanced enough to take advantage anyway.

I also have problems with the fact that there is no option to crop using the actual camera ratio.

[MichelBParis]

ligennroc  wrote

Hi Michel,

Thanks this is most re-assuring.

One of the features missing is channels…but I am probably not advanced enough to take advantage anyway.

Channels? They are not available directly in the editor either, but there are ways to work on channels in Elements (for advanced users). I think you mean the HSL curves available in the Photoshop full ACR version. You should not need them frequently once you master the white balance tool. If you need them, they are available in the editor, even in 16-bits mode.

I also have problems with the fact that there is no option to crop using the actual camera ratio.

All crop options are available in the ACR version of Elements. Keep the crop tool pressed a few seconds to display your options.