Photographic workflow

[mpkirby]

I decided to write down my workflow. At least at a high level. I realize it is quite simplified compared to many of the individuals here (if feels a bit like exposing ones self), but I figure writing it down and soliciting criticism is a way to learn.

Comments and suggestions are most welcome.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~mpkirby/PhotographicWorkflow.html

In particular I would love to have pointers to other people's workflows and I will add them to my growing (but still small) collection on my links page.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~mpkirby/Photography.html

Mike

[msnow]

Looks like a good sound workflow. One thing I do differently is the sharpening steps. If I'm going to do the editing in PS I wouldn't do any sharpening in Breezebrowser (in my case C1), I would do it all in Photoshop. You'll also get differences of opinion on whether you sharpen first in PS or last. Same with noise reduction, some prefer to do it first others last.

I see that you use the non-default method in Breezebrowser to sharpen (HQ instead of "unsharp mask"). Do you find you get better results with that?

[ScottJE22]

Interesting! I'm still developing a RAW workflow myself so it's always helpful to see how others handle their post-processing. One thing that I particularly like is how you separate "snaps" from your "quality" (for lack of a better word) shots. I have always struggled with this...

I don't want to spend an hour color-correcting pics from Grandma's birthday, but I don't want to miss an opportunity to bump up the contrast and saturation in a gorgeous landscape. It is truly a case of "one size does NOT fit all."

One thing that I started doing (and I think I'll keep doing it): As soon as I have the RAW images on my desktop, I'll use the EOS Viewer Utility to "Extract" the embedded JPEGs into a temp folder and then I import them into iPhoto. With the DRebel, they come out in Medium/Fine (IIRC) and that is more than adequate for perusing the shots of the day and deciding which ones to keep/dump/tweak.

Thanks for sharing this -- I'll definitely put a "watch" on your site for future updates!

[mpkirby]

One thing that I started doing (and I think I'll keep doing it): As soon as I have the RAW images on my desktop, I'll use the EOS Viewer Utility to "Extract" the embedded JPEGs into a temp folder and then I import them into iPhoto. With the DRebel, they come out in Medium/Fine (IIRC) and that is more than adequate for perusing the shots of the day and deciding which ones to keep/dump/tweak.

I find Breeze Browser's RAW preview is quite efficient at displaying the embedded jpegs, so it works great for quickly looking through the images and deciding which ones to keep.

It would be useful if Chris embedded functionality similar to Pixort(http://www.jotto.no/pixort/) Pixort lets you quickly compare side-by-side several pictures. If you do things like exposure bracketing, it becomes easy to see which ones to keep.

Mike

[ScottJE22]

I find Breeze Browser's RAW preview is quite efficient at displaying the embedded jpegs, so it works great for quickly looking through the images and deciding which ones to keep.

I do own BreezeBrowser, but since I "switched" to Apple a year or so ago, I have to make due without it. Though it gets its share of "bad press," the EOS Viewer Utility (and the previous version -- the File Viewer Utility) is actually a pretty nice little program that does what I need it to do.

I remember back when I first bought my G1 and the only option you had (if you didn't pay for BreezeBrowser) was the awful ZoomBrowser. Yikes!

[DReb-MO]

[quote="ScottJE22I do own BreezeBrowser, but since I "switched" to Apple a year or so ago, I have to make due without it. Though it gets its share of "bad press," the EOS Viewer Utility (and the previous version -- the File Viewer Utility) is actually a pretty nice little program that does what I need it to do. [/quote]

You are kidding right? That takes twice as long to load RAW images as other apps and really has no decent preview options. You can preview but there is really no way to see the before and after and the software is sooo slow that it becomes difficult to make fine adjustments. Ny two cents.

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Not completely up to date, but here you are:

http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/24_workflow_c1.htm
http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/06_workflow.htm

Regards,

[ScottJE22]

You are kidding right? That takes twice as long to load RAW images as other apps and really has no decent preview options. You can preview but there is really no way to see the before and after and the software is sooo slow that it becomes difficult to make fine adjustments. Ny two cents.

Well, I wasn't kidding. OTOH, I haven't had much to compare it to either. I just attributed the longer time to the larger image files I get with my DRebel as compared to the G1 which I used exclusively on my Wintel machine.

Thanks for your $0.02. As I refine my workflow, I'll certainly keep an eye out for more efficient options. At this point, I'm more likely to spend money on a lens or vertical grip than on RAW conversion software when the one in the box isn't that terrible...

[jonnyhorizon]

i have fairly capable desktop machines and using photoshop CS as the initial sort and view utility - works ok for me but am open to improving this process
i rename the files with EZ photo renamer first to add a brief desc to the date
snce i am already in PS i can save as PSD for layered adjustments if needed save as TIF for crops and prints and or save as jpg for web
i create subfolder for rejects/keepers/unsorted and keep DVD backups of everything
i have 3gig of cf cards and have lot and lots of files
i sell a framed print from time to time and keep a framed and printed file of the cropped and printer optimized TIFFs
i find no use for the "imbedded JPG" in my RAW files
i do my sharpening in the PSD
the one thing that bugs me is when i change the white balance or warmth in the RAW file the next time i open the RAW the baseline setting are lost
i am tempted to save the RAW as a new name so I always know where i started
also - my naming convention for the folders needs improved
also - i need to take the time to add meta data to the tags for keyword lookup down the road
also...
i have not been doing this very long and appreciate feedback...

[leony]

after every shoot, a folder is created with the DATE + NAME.

Ex. : 6_12_04_Anime_Street_Gear_Fashion_Show_SS04

THis way i can quickly find the right folder with the "find" by searching for any work in the name of the folder.

Inside I automatically create a folder-structure like so:

6_12_04_Anime_Street_Gear_Fashion_Show_SS04
----->RAW (Canon RAW)
----->Edited (Keepers)
----->Developed TIFF (16-Bit)
----->Print (PSD)
----->Web (JPEG)

Work flow uses "trickle down" system from Raw to Edited (first I copy all the files, then delete garbage and the good ones get developed to TIFFs)

TIFFs edited in Photoshop for curves/levels/color-fine tuning, airbrush and whatever else retouching needed (usually liquify and free transform and some hidden secrets of fashion photographers that make a model look 20 pounds lighter, 5 inches taller, with smoother skin)

From photoshop save as PSD to preserve the layers, and as "save for web" for website and other forums for other photogs to nit-pick.

One shoot usually ends up being almost a full DVD for backup.

[Mills]

This is a great Thread. Like I have said before, this is one wonderful site. Every stop is a learning experience!