Difficult question

[JoeThePhotographer]

In both LR2 and LR3, a split second after I first open a RAW image for the first time, LR applies some settings and makes the image darker, among other things.

Now it often happens that I prefer the image before these changes are made, and would prefer to start working with the unaltered image.

I can't tell what changes are being applied.  As far as I can tell, I don't have any special default settings.

Is there any way I can tell LR not to mess with the image at all?

Joe

[BobSmith]

Lightroom or ACR always applies a default set of processing instructions.  It's making a guess based on the particular camera model involved.  If those settings aren't to your liking (often they aren't) just set them the way you want and make those the defaults.  The defaults are unique to a particular model and serial number of camera... and can also be made unique to a particular ISO.  Defining these properly for your particular needs goes a long way to making Lightroom/ACR more useful.

Bob Smith

[BobSmith]

and further...

I think the first thing you see is a camera generated preview.  I don't think its possible to apply no settings at all.  With certain cameras you can apply settings that supposedly match the camera's presets fairly accurate (I know this is available on Canon cameras but I've never used them).  You may be able to achieve what you desire by zeroing out all of the adjusters and setting that as your preset.  And set color temp to "As Shot".  I'd argue that well thought out presets that match your style would be more useful.

Bob Smith

[johnbeardy]

Yes, it's the raw file's embedded preview that's shown until the Adobe processing has rendered the raw data. There's no way to prevent this - other than by shooting JPEG.

If you prefer the camera-generated results, take a look at the Camera Calibration panel where you can choose a profile such as "Camera Vivid" that's designed to mimic the camera's picture styles. It's a good idea to roll a choice of profile into your presets.

John

[JoeThePhotographer]

Is there a way to see the camera-generated preview in LR so that I can try to match it?

[johnbeardy]

No, other than by shooting JPEGs as well as raws or using a 3rd party app.

John