Peony Photo Converter: Automate Resizing, Watermarks, and Metadata

How to Use Peony Photo Converter to Batch‑Convert RAW to JPEGConverting RAW files to JPEG in batches is one of the most common steps photographers take to prepare images for sharing, web galleries, and client review. Peony Photo Converter is a lightweight tool designed to make batch image conversion fast and flexible while preserving color and detail. This guide walks through the workflow step by step, shows best practices for settings, and offers troubleshooting tips so your conversions look their best.

Why convert RAW to JPEG?

RAW files contain the sensor’s full data and offer maximum flexibility for editing, but they are large and not universally supported by viewers, websites, or clients. JPEG files are compressed, widely compatible, and ready for immediate use once exported with appropriate settings. Batch conversion automates repetitive work, saving time when dealing with hundreds or thousands of frames.

Preparing your files

1. Organize source files: Put all RAW files you want to convert into a single folder or use a date/subject-based folder structure. This simplifies selection and helps avoid missed files.
2. Backup first: Keep an untouched copy of your RAW originals. JPEG is lossy; retaining RAW ensures you can re-export later at different settings.
3. Check disk space: JPEGs are smaller than RAW, but large batches still need space — especially if you export at high quality or include sidecar files.

Step‑by‑step: Batch converting RAW to JPEG with Peony Photo Converter

1. Install and open Peony Photo Converter.
2. Add files or folders:
   • Click “Add Files” to select individual RAW files, or “Add Folder” to include a whole directory.
   • Use the preview pane (if available) to verify files before conversion.
3. Choose output format:
   • Select JPEG from the format drop‑down menu.
4. Set output folder:
   • Choose a destination folder distinct from your RAW folder to avoid confusion and accidental overwrites.
   • Optionally enable a subfolder naming template (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD_ClientName).
5. Configure quality and compression:
   • Set JPEG quality (80–90% is a good balance of size and quality for most uses).
   • If you need smaller files for web, lower quality to 60–75% and consider progressive JPEG.
6. Resize and sharpening (optional):
   • Use the resize options to scale images for web or social media (e.g., 2048 px on the longest edge).
   • Apply output sharpening tuned to your chosen size (Peony may offer standard sharpening presets like “screen” or “print”).
7. Color management:
   • Choose the color profile for export: sRGB is recommended for web and most client use; Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB only if the recipient supports it.
   • If Peony supports it, embed the profile in the exported JPEG.
8. Metadata and watermarking:
   • Decide whether to preserve EXIF/IPTC metadata. Keeping metadata helps with copyright and capture details; strip metadata for privacy or reduced file size.
   • Add a watermark if desired. Use subtle placement and opacity to avoid distracting from the image.
9. Filename template and numbering:
   • Configure output filenames using templates (e.g., ClientName_### or IMGYYYYMMDD###) to keep files organized.
10. Start conversion:
    • Click “Convert” or “Start Batch.” Monitor progress and check any error messages.
11. Review results:
    • Open a few converted JPEGs at 100% to check sharpness, color, and compression artifacts.
    • If adjustments are needed, tweak the relevant settings and reprocess affected files.

Recommended settings for common use cases

Color, detail, and avoiding artifacts

• Choose a quality setting that minimizes visible compression blocks. At 80–90% most viewers won’t notice loss.
• If images look soft after resizing, increase output sharpening. If halos appear, reduce sharpening strength.
• Check skin tones and highlights — RAW-to-JPEG conversions can shift exposure or white balance slightly; apply a small exposure or WB adjustment in Peony (if available) before batch processing.

Automating with presets and watch folders

• Save your export configuration as a preset for future batches (e.g., “Web 2048 sRGB 80%”).
• If Peony supports watch folders, set one up where dropping RAW files triggers automatic conversion using a designated preset. Useful for tethered shoots or team workflows.

Troubleshooting

• Missing RAW formats: Install or update camera RAW codecs/plugins that Peony requires, or use a converter that supports your camera model.
• Crashes or hangs: Process smaller batches to isolate problematic files. Check for corrupt RAWs and re-export those individually.
• Color shifts: Ensure a consistent color pipeline — set both input and output profiles properly and embed the output profile.
• Slow performance: Enable multithreaded conversion if available, close other CPU-intensive apps, and consider SSD storage for faster read/write.

Workflow example

Scenario: You’ve finished a wedding shoot and need web‑ready images for the couple within an hour.

1. Copy the day’s RAWs to a working folder.
2. Open Peony and load the folder.
3. Select JPEG, Quality 85%, sRGB, Resize to 2048 px, embed profile, keep basic EXIF, add subtle watermark.
4. Save as preset “Wedding Web 2048.”
5. Convert and review a selection of images at 100%.
6. If a batch needs tweaks (white balance, exposure), apply corrections to those RAWs and re-run conversion for those files only.

Final tips

• Always keep RAW originals. Exporting is reversible only from the RAW, not from the JPEG.
• Use presets to reduce human error and maintain consistency across sessions.
• Test on a subset of images before committing to very large batches.
• Maintain consistent color profiles from capture through export to avoid surprises.

If you want, tell me your operating system and one sample RAW camera model and I’ll give exact recommended export settings and a step‑by‑step preset you can copy into Peony Photo Converter.