Batch photo processing: step-by-step instruction

Many photographers or ordinary users of computer systems that deal with graphics and photos often have to process a fairly large number of images. It is clear that producing such actions for each photo is extremely tedious, since these transformations can take a very long time. To simplify the necessary manipulations, the so-called batch processing of photographs is applied. What it is, and how to use such features in different applications, will now be considered.

What does "batch photo processing" mean?

To start a little theory. What is batch processing of photos? In the simplest sense, this is a set of predefined standard one-type actions that need not be applied to one image, but to tens or even hundreds.

Actually, hence the name of the term itself, because the selected set of actions is used for a package of photographs.

What parameters can I change?

In principle, any, even the most primitive program for batch processing of photos, supporting the function of multiple file changes, allows you to configure one or several parameters, the values of which will be applied immediately to all the pictures to be edited. Naturally, the capabilities of applications, depending on the complexity of the programs themselves, can vary significantly.

However, among the most basic parameters, we can conventionally identify several most commonly used ones:

• Change the size, color palette, brightness and saturation;
• Mass renaming;
• Editing with the addition of effects by template;
• Format conversion;
• Reduce the size of files, and so on.

The list of parameters can be continued for a long time. But let us dwell on some applications, with which batch processing of photographs is made easiest.

Most Popular Programs

If you approach the selection of the appropriate software, conditionally such programs can be divided into several types. Most often used are viewers (IrfanView, XnView), converters and converters (Image Tuner, AVS Image Converter, FastStone Image Resizer, XnConvert) and graphic editors (GIMP, Photoshop, Lightroom).

The simplest actions in the program Image Tuner

Now a few more details about the actions performed. The simplest utility is Image Tuner. Variable parameters and supported formats are not so much in it, nevertheless it's worth taking to arming it.

The application operates on the principle of a single window. First, the necessary files are added to the left of the screen, and the required settings are specified to the right, after which the start button of the conversion process is simply pressed.

Using Viewers and Converters

Among the programs of these types, you can especially highlight IrfanView, XnView and XnConvert. For the first application, after adding objects, Batch Conversion mode is used. But here you can set only the basic settings.

If you want to use additional parameters, you need to use the options settings menu (Advanced button, when you click on which you can call the function Use advanced options). The output format is set in the corresponding Output Format menu. The program is not very convenient, but it has support for more than 20 formats.

Which is better with the XnView application. Batch processing of photos in it is made almost on a professional level. First, the files to be processed are selected after the batch processing function has been activated in the tool menu. There are two tabs. On one are the main parameters for changing the images, on the second - the actions for the transformations, which after the selection in the left window you need to add to the right part. In addition, you can immediately use the execution of XBS scripts, which, however, are incompatible with XnConvert (this application uses BAT). After setting all the parameters, the conversion process is activated, and that's all.

In the XnConvert program, batch processing of photos uses the action tab, where you can select conversions that are conventionally divided into four groups: image transformation, work with color and level adjustment, filter installation, and additional actions that mostly include effects overlay.

On the input data tab, you specify the files you want, and in the output - save options. There is also an option to download scripts and export to Flickr-account or Picasa, as well as packing in FTP and sending by e-mail.

GIMP: batch photo processing

First of all, it is worth remembering that only one editor will be small. For him immediately, you should install a special plug-in as a BIMP plug-in. Batch processing of photos in this application will be available only after the installation of the add-on.

The procedure is as follows. First, in the file menu, select the Batch Image Manipulation line, then add the image folder or single files with the Add Images button. Next, use the Add button marked with a plus sign to select the addition of actions. In the context menu, you can select what you want, and make settings for each operation. When all the settings have been completed, the destination folder is selected to save the changed photos, and then the Apply button is activated, which activates the processing process. Depending on the number of pictures and the selected operations, the time may need a lot. When finished, use the Close button to close the plugin.

Batch processing of photos in Photoshop

Now a few words about such a powerful package as Adobe Photoshop. Batch processing of photos in this program can be done in several ways:

• Creation or use of action games;
• Batch operations;
• Use of the script processor Image Processor.

In the first case, first, to create an action (action), you need to use a so-called test pattern, based on the analysis of which the action will be saved in the set (Set). However, at this stage the choice is limited only by the capabilities of the application itself.

After that, to use the created set of actions multiple times, a file menu is used, where the Automate section is selected with the subsequent transition to Batch operations. Next, in the settings of the Play the necessary action from the set is selected, the source and the destination destination folder are installed.

However, it is better to use a script processor. There are more opportunities here, and the image conversion operations themselves look much simpler. The Scripts / Image Processor transition is selected in the file menu, and then the necessary settings are set. The advantage of this method is that you do not need to create actions, as in the previous version. But the main disadvantage is that only three formats (TIFF, PSD and JPEG) will be available at the output to save the results.

Practical application of Adobe Lightroom

Finally, let's see how batch processing of photos in Lightroom. The bottom line is that you can use this function during export with the Library module and the command itself (File / Export menu).

In the settings you can set the following parameters:

• Saving to hard disk, writing to optical media or sending via e-mail (Export To ...);
• Select the destination folder to save (Export Location);
• Multiple renaming of objects by the set mask (File Naming);
• The choice of the final format (File Settings);
• Change the resolution and size (Image Sizing);
• Setting sharpness and contrast (Image Sharpening);
• Saving metadata (Metadata);
• Use of watermarking.

Only this batch processing of photos in "Lightroom" is not limited. In the Presets section, located in the sidebar on the left, you can select ready-made presets or add your own settings, after which they will be applied to all selected files.

Instead of the total

As for the choice of the program for processing the photos in the right amount, the best results, for example, on the speed of resizing, are demonstrated by XnView and Photoshop, Lightroom is slightly behind. In terms of support for readable and recordable formats, the absolute leaders are XnView and XnConvert. On the other hand, with Photoshop, you can make more subtle or advanced settings, and Lightroom has built-in templates. However, if you want to use the simplest actions, Image Tuner is also perfect. GIMP performs the processing simply, but it requires a plugin. So the choice is the user.

It remains to add that not all programs supporting batch processing of photos were considered here. The list is so huge that the enumeration of all available applications can take a long time. Nevertheless, everyone can conclude that in the same type of programs all actions are very similar to each other. Therefore, having mastered any one application, you can easily apply your knowledge in another.