Workflow

[Saknika]

What is your general work flow? Why did you choose the work flow that you did, and why did you choose the programs you use?

Mine is:
-Import to Lightroom
-Use Loupe mode to make my picks
-Use survey mode if necessary to narrow it down
-Check histograms and make general exposure and sharpness adjustments on virtual copies
-Export to Photoshop to either make a tiff, or to retouch and then make a tiff.
-Import back to Lightroom
-Make my crop
-Apply any applicable filters (sepia, b+w, ect...)
-Export the final image

Personally, I haven't found a need for anything aside from Lightroom and Photoshop. I really love the fact that they work together, so when I export to photoshop, it saves in my lightroom module as well. I've heard that some people use bridge and such, but it's not designed for photographers like lightroom is, so I feel that lightroom is the superior product in this case.

This work flow works for me though, because for me it's a logical chain of events to getting a photo to look as I want it. Especially the retouching, since portraits usually require some.

[ScottWood]

I posted my basic workflow over in the equipment section when we were taking about noise reduction, but I will copy and paste it here.

My basic workflow is this.

1. Import images into LR.

2. Sort, rate and flag images in LR.

3. Open first of the set in develop module and apply the appropriate camera profiles and basic corrections that will apply to all images in the set.

4. I then edit any images that need individual attention in LR's develop module.

5. Export any images to Photoshop that need the added horse power of PS. This includes noise reduction.

6. When done in PS, I save a copy of the image as a PSD file with all layers intact incase I want to tweak things later.

7. Save the file and move back into LR where I do the appropriate exporting or printing.

The only real difference I have over yours is that I like to do my crop in LR before I send it out to photoshop.

My IR workflow is about the same, but the work that I do in Photoshop is drastically different than what I do with regular images.

[Saknika]

I used to crop first, but I found when I was doing Senior Portraits and needing to print at multiple sizes, it was easier to have the entire image edited and crop after, so that I always had enough room for each crop, and I didn't have to retouch each of them.

[ScottWood]

Very good point, I can see where that would be a very big help. I haven't done any sort of portraits in years and hadn't thought about that.

[Saknika]

It all depends on what you're doing. ROFL the story of the photographer's life. xD

[comicIDIOT]

Jul 13, 2009 19:06:44 GMT -5 Saknika said:

I used to crop first, but I found when I was doing Senior Portraits and needing to print at multiple sizes, it was easier to have the entire image edited and crop after, so that I always had enough room for each crop, and I didn't have to retouch each of them.

True story. Rarely, I'll crop before an export because I know I won't need this distracting object in the corner or something or for another valid reason.

[j10asen]

I try to keep my process simple.
I review my shot with fastone and note the photos I want tpo work with.
I copy theose shot to a mod directory within the original directory and begin my work.
Which apps I use and the sequence changes but I recall how I did things previous and adapt as neeeded. Sometimes I learn not to use a particular sequence but I always have a back-up copy so nothing is ever lost.

Great topic
The squence is as important as the results

[comicIDIOT]

I downloaded a new application for my iPod called "DSLR Remote" - I believe I linked you guys to it earlier. I went ahead and downloaded this 20$ application because there is nothing better than synchronization. I can take a photo from my iPod and within seconds view the photo on my iPod and a double tap zooms in - panning around the zoomed photo is not yet supported. I can either save the photo directly to my computer or to my camera & computer for added security.

Even if I take a photo with the camera I can have the server software move/copy the file to my computer. If I have a Canon camera that supports Wireless File Transfer(WFT) I don't need to be tethered to my computer. If my camera supports LiveView(LV) I can view a live feed on my iPod.

There's even an intervalometre; I can take up to 999 photos anywhere between once a second to once every 23h 59m 59s.

I'm loving this application and already thinking of ways to get back into robotics. I'm even thinking that when I get a job I'll upgrade to an iPhone just so this application will be with me everywhere, other wise I'm more of a Windows Mobile SmartPhone kind of guy, and proud to be the only member of my immediate family without an iPhone

My classmates are jealous that they can't use it with their Nikons (Version 1.1 has been submitted to Apple and includes Nikon support). I can change everything on my camera with the exception of the shooting mode (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, etc) and there's no auto-focus button.

So my new workflow is:
DSLR Remote to Laptop
Picasa (w/ Live Folder Updating)
Approve & Reject Photos
Delete Rejects
Drag Approved to Lightroom
Add Keyword & IPTC Data
Rate using VFEC
Colour Label
Make necessary edits
Export as JPEG

[firequall]

Import into Lightroom, sort, catalogue and make selections. Open selections in Photoshop, apply adjustments, input IPTC, save.

I'm thinking switching over to using Photo Mechanic once I get the money. It's more lightweight and faster than Lightroom.

[Accebera]

Very impressive; I'd go crazy doing all of the steps you guys do. I hate post-processing.

I just upload my photos onto my computer after a shoot, delete the bad ones, make minor adjustments to the rest in Photoshop, and save them to their allotted folders. That's all I have the patience for. ^.^;