Your Choice of Flow: Lightroom or Photoshop etc...

[amonline]

I was going to make a poll, but I thought it would be better as a discussion where people can chime in and provide examples of their work.

What do you use for your processing - Lightroom, Photoshop, DPP or other? Also, are you a 'per-pic' worker or 'batch-action-walkaway' person?

I think it's quite evident by looking at most of the regulars here in the wedding forum what they use, but I would like everyone to give a little as to why they choose that route. (yes, some of it's obvious)

While I still do mostly commercial work at the moment, I'm trying to decide whether I want a LR or PS workflow for weddings. Obviously, there are pros/cons to both. Both can provide incredible results. Photoshop allows for more artistic or fine-art type editing, whereas Lightroom allows for fast-paced great results that are a little more simple.

Right now, I primarily start in DPP and move to PS for all commercial work. Since getting the 40D's and the latest DPP, I am a LOT more confident in the accuracy of highlights in my shots. It's a world of difference from the 30D and the older version of DPP where Adobe RAW or LR was basically the only answer to fix this issue in DPP. For portrait, engagement, etc., I tend to go LR only. However, I've pondered how much extra time it would take vs. the incredible results of advanced editing/processing in PS instead. More and more of what I consider 'fine-art' photogs are starting to make me want to spend more time on post-production to take it to the next level with creative blurring, etc. That remains to be seen as of yet based on average job prices in my area.

I thought this would make an interesting discussion.

[thebrewer]

I use Lightroom for 95% of PP, only go to PS when drastic work is needed. I edit each photo, I often use the 'previous' button for similar shots to keep things moving along.

[Padawan Dad]

I use LR. I batch everything initially for proofs (very simple WB, and color correction applications.) When album selections, or large print selections are made, then I will add some pop to them. I generally will add some contrast, and like to use a vignette. I'll also convert some to B&W. Other than that, I don't do much more. Oh, I do use some extensive PP on a minimal amount of photos in CS2, if I feel it helps them. However, I'm really not a fan of a lot of PP. I'm not a hater of PP, I just have a style that doesn't require much of it.

[stathunter]

Lightroom then photoshop if needed.

[sl3966]

Usually culling in Bridge and then import to lightroom then finishing in Photoshop. Albums are done in Indesign then imposed as pdf for proofing. I do each photo individually and it usually takes me half a day to process a shoot as long as I don't have to do any drastic masking or combining exposures. I probably deliver 200 - 500 photos depending on the length of the shoot. I met a guy who promises 700+ photos to brides for every shoot. I don't know how he does that.

[amonline]

I use LR. I batch everything initially for proofs (very simple WB, and color correction applications.) When album selections, or large print selections are made, then I will add some pop to them. I generally will add some contrast, and like to use a vignette. I'll also convert some to B&W. Other than that, I don't do much more. Oh, I do use some extensive PP on a minimal amount of photos in CS2, if I feel it helps them. However, I'm really not a fan of a lot of PP. I'm not a hater of PP, I just have a style that doesn't require much of it.
This is very similar to what I currently do for portraits, engagements, etc. I also use vignettes and various techniques in LR to take the image as far as LR will allow for the 'pop/wow' factor.

One of the reasons I made this thread is that I wanted to see if I should take the next step to PS for selective blur, noise and other special effects to step into the 'fine-art' realm. I'm not sure just how many clients really want that.

For instance, we see lots of great work from Toogy, Brian and others where PS is utilized to emphasize more creative editing. I'm just trying to figure out if it's something I should do or even worth the time. Obviously, if the client wants it, I'd do it. I just want to decide if I should make it standard and increase prices slightly.

I've seen lots of sepia/desat comps lately that are pulling me toward PS. I wish there were some form of actions in LR that would allow layer stacking for just this reason. (unless someone's figured out a preset that simulates this well :D)

[gheesom]

for now I'm a per pic PS user. I have some standard things that I do I just don't have them down as actions.
for BW's do you guys that batch process, do all of your shots in BW see what comes out best, or do you look for a few and do them individually?

[sblais]

I now use lightroom to do most of the PP (~95%). Only when I need to do PP on specific areas of a picture do I open Photoshop. It's definitively great, I just wished it worked faster (and I have a fast PC with lots of ram)

[amonline]

for BW's do you guys that batch process, do all of your shots in BW see what comes out best, or do you look for a few and do them individually?
Good question... I've been thinking about offering a 5 basic processing type thing for every image I provide - leaving it to the client to choose from many styles for many different images. Maybe I'm wrong to consider this since I get the feeling others do each image seperately. Most clients tell you up front what they want of course, but I've wanted to setup batch actions/presets to take all images and process them as seperate color, b/w, k-pross, etc. all at once. Obviously this doesn't work for every image.

[Lord_Malone]

LR + CS3

[sl3966]

Good question... I've been thinking about offering a 5 basic processing type thing for every image I provide - leaving it to the client to choose from many styles for many different images. Maybe I'm wrong to consider this since I get the feeling others do each image seperately. Most clients tell you up front what they want of course, but I've wanted to setup batch actions/presets to take all images and process them as seperate color, b/w, k-pross, etc. all at once. Obviously this doesn't work for every image.
You can probably tell already what image will look good with what processing before you hit play on the action. I usually flag, star, or label them based on what I want to do with them then run the actions and tweak the layers individualy. I don't like to open the door of doing all the photos with each action and letting them see them all as it will take forever for them to make up their minds.

[spphoto]

I use Aperture for pretty much everything. I import, then do my corrections and some sharpening, label them by event (getting ready, ceremony, etc) and then set them to export to JPEG overnight. Then I'll batch them in Photoshop with some actions for BW and sepia (I apply them to all the photos.

[picturecrazy]

Lightroom and CS2 for some that need special attention.

Every image gets individual attention. No batch processing here.

[amonline]

You can probably tell already what image will look good with what processing before you hit play on the action. I usually flag, star, or label them based on what I want to do with them then run the actions and tweak the layers individualy. I don't like to open the door of doing all the photos with each action and letting them see them all as it will take forever for them to make up their minds.
Very true and it's actually what the wife and I discussed at lunch today. :lol:

[gheesom]

I'm with Lloyd, I don't have anything preset. I need to sort something out for everyday shots though.

[thewavebb]

I figured out how to use lightroom this summer and it rocks. I use it for most of mine and then export it into CS3 for the final touches on some stuff.

[nicolerork]

Adobe Lightroom.

Makes my workflow so much faster and smoother. I'm usually able to sift through an entire wedding (2500-3000 total) and have proofs online late that night or the following afternoon.

[liza]

Capture One + PS7

What can I say? I'm an oddball.

[LightUser]

Photoshop CS3 and Bridge all the way. Hate Lightroom...

[Dorman]

LR + CS2