How Do I Edit Multiple RAW Photos in Photoshop?

You can edit multiple RAW photos in Photoshop efficiently by using the Batch Processing feature, which allows you to apply the same edits (recorded as an action) to a whole folder of images. Here's how:

Steps for Batch Editing RAW Photos in Photoshop:

1. Create an Action: First, you need to record an "Action" that contains the edits you want to apply to all your RAW photos.

   • Open one of your RAW images in Photoshop (it will likely open in Adobe Camera Raw).
   • Make all the desired edits in Camera Raw (exposure, contrast, white balance, etc.).
   • Once you're happy with the edits, click "Open Image" to open it in the main Photoshop workspace.
   • Go to Window > Actions to open the Actions panel.
   • Click the "Create New Action" button (it looks like a plus sign in a square).
   • Give your action a descriptive name (e.g., "RAW Edit 1") and click "Record."
   • Photoshop is now recording every step you take. Since you already made edits in Camera Raw, simply close the image without saving it. This ensures the Action only applies the Camera Raw settings you defined earlier.
   • Click the "Stop Recording" button (the square button) in the Actions panel.

2. Use the Batch Process: Now that you have an action, you can apply it to multiple RAW images.

   • Go to File > Automate > Batch.
   • Set the Action: In the Batch dialog box, under the "Play" section:
     • Set: Ensure that the correct Action Set (where you saved your action) is selected.
     • Action: Choose the action you created (e.g., "RAW Edit 1").
   • Set the Source: Under the "Source" section:
     • Source: Select "Folder".
     • Click the "Choose" button and select the folder containing the RAW images you want to edit.
   • Set the Destination: Under the "Destination" section:
     • Destination: Decide where you want to save the edited images. You can save them in a new folder, overwrite the originals (not recommended), or save them in the same folder. Choose "Folder" and then the "Choose" button for the desired folder.
     • Naming: Configure how you want to name the edited files. This is optional, but helpful for organization.
   • Error Handling: Choose how you want Photoshop to handle errors. "Stop for Errors" is usually the best option.
   • Click "OK" to start the batch process.

3. Let Photoshop Work: Photoshop will now open each RAW image in the folder, apply the recorded action (which includes opening Camera Raw with the specified edits), and save the edited image to the destination folder.

Important Considerations:

• RAW vs. JPEG: This process is specifically for RAW files, leveraging the non-destructive editing capabilities of Adobe Camera Raw.
• Action Flexibility: The action can include more than just Camera Raw adjustments; you can add other Photoshop edits to your action if needed (e.g., resizing, sharpening). Just remember that everything you do while recording is part of the action.
• Experiment: Practice with a small set of images first to ensure your action works as expected before processing a large batch.
• Camera Raw Versions: If you're using older versions of Photoshop, ensure compatibility between the Camera Raw version used for recording the action and the version used for batch processing.

By using Batch Processing with actions, you can dramatically reduce the time it takes to edit large quantities of RAW photos with consistent adjustments in Photoshop.