Saving your work in Photoshop is crucial for preserving edits and ensuring compatibility across different platforms. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to save images in Photoshop, covering various scenarios and best practices.
Saving Images After Editing in Photoshop
Photoshop offers several ways to save your work, catering to different needs and workflows. Understanding these options will help you manage your files effectively.
Saving from Lightroom to Photoshop
If you’re starting in Lightroom and transitioning to Photoshop for more advanced editing, you have a few options:
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Open in Photoshop as PSD or TIFF: In Lightroom’s preferences, set the external editor to open files in Photoshop as either PSD or TIFF. After making adjustments in Lightroom, use Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on Mac) to open the image directly in Photoshop. You can then add layers, perform further edits, and save the file using “Save” or “Save As.” Both options will automatically update the Lightroom catalog.
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Open as Smart Object in Photoshop: This option opens the image as a smart object layer in Photoshop. Double-clicking the smart object allows further raw adjustments in Camera Raw. Save the changes in Camera Raw, return to Photoshop, and then use “Save” or “Save As.”
Editing Non-Raw Files in Photoshop from Lightroom
For non-raw files like TIFFs, Lightroom offers three options when editing in Photoshop:
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Edit Original: Opens the original TIFF in Photoshop without any Lightroom adjustments. Saving in Photoshop applies the edits directly to the original file in Lightroom, and any previous Lightroom adjustments are reapplied.
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Edit a Copy: Opens a copy of the TIFF in Photoshop without Lightroom adjustments. Saving creates a new file in the Lightroom catalog with the Photoshop edits, and Lightroom adjustments are reapplied to the copy. The original file remains untouched.
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Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments: Creates a copy of the TIFF with the Lightroom adjustments baked in before opening it in Photoshop. After editing and saving in Photoshop, the new file appears in Lightroom with both Lightroom and Photoshop adjustments, but the Lightroom adjustments are no longer editable. The original file remains in the catalog.
Best Practices for Saving in Photoshop
- Save Regularly: To prevent data loss, save your work frequently using Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac).
- Use “Save As” for Versions: When experimenting with different edits, utilize “Save As” to create new versions of your file without overwriting the original. This preserves your previous work and allows for easy comparison.
- Choose the Right File Format: Consider the intended use of the image when selecting a file format. PSD preserves layers and is ideal for further editing, while JPEG is suitable for web use and sharing. TIFF offers high quality for print.
- Optimize File Size: For web use, optimize JPEGs for smaller file sizes without significant quality loss.
By understanding the different save options and following these best practices, you can effectively manage your Photoshop files and ensure your work is preserved. Always prioritize saving regularly and choosing the appropriate file format for your intended output.
