Originals and derivatives

[zoliky]

Hi,
I don't exactly understand what original and derivative files are.
Can a RAW file that was stored on the memory card, after I took a photo, be considered an original file?
If I open the RAW file in Lightroom and I make some adjustments to it (metadata + camera raw) can the file still be considered original?

Thank you!
Zoltan

[Roelof]

Hello Zoltan,

When you read 'the DAM book', you will understand the differences between them.
You could also take a look at dpBestflow.
Here for fileformats:
http://www.dpbestflow.org/links/37
And here for filemanagement:
http://www.dpbestflow.org/links/38

Roelof

[zoliky]

I read both of them, but I don't understand. Sorry 
English is my 3rd language. Maybe. it's harder for me to understand.

[Roelof]

Consider your original digital files as you negatives/slides. The derivatives then can be considered as prints.
So, the originals are the (untouched) source and the derivatives the (edited) results like black/white, panorama, HDR, retouch and colorimprovements.

But, with modern applications like Lightroom you can make 'derivatives' without making (working) copies from an (untouched) original. The changes in these PIE applications will only reside in the database, not affecting the original RAW data. So, i.e. you can make a black/white image without removing the color information. These loss-less changes are called PIE (http://www.dpbestflow.org/image-editing/parametric-image-editing).

When every change can be made in PIE ware, there will be less need for 'real' derivatives in the future. Then you have only to take care of your originals + the PIE ware database (were all the derivatives resides).

Hope this is helping you?
Roelof

[rod barbee]

For me, the originals are the dng conversions of the original NEFs that came out of the camera (and jpg originals if i was shooting jpg). It doesn't matter if I've made adjustments to the DNGs in Lightroom or ACR, they are still my originals.
Derivatives are TIFF, PSD, or jpg (from DNG) that I've created either in Photoshop or during a Lightroom Export. These files were usually made for prints or as final prep for various submissions.
So, original: off the camera or the DNG versions
derivative: everything else (saved as TIFF, PSD, etc.)

rod