How Much Post Processing?

[zagiace]

I had a conversation with a close friend today regarding how much time I spend on post processing images for a wedding client.
I would like to hear from other wedding pros out there,
How much time do you guys spend on post processing your shots?
I spend just about equal time processing/editing as I do shooting.
Is that too much?
A few of my packages include a DVD, so they get the shots. (different topic, different thread. lol)

[themadman]

I usually spend ATLEAST as must time PP as I do shooting. Frequently longer.

[mikekelley]

Depends what I'm doing. Compositing, removing blemishes, etc on a product shot can take far longer than shooting it. Same with fashion stuff, or a cover shot or something. Other times I can just adjust contrast, saturation, lift and stamp that adjustment to the rest of the pictures, crop and be done in 10 minutes for 100 shots.

[dmp-potn]

Howdy,

If that's what you say, I believe you...but I know can't process 100 shots that quickly. That's an average of six seconds per shot!

I've not timed myself, but here's what I estimate it would take for me to deal with a typical 100 image family portrait shoot:


10 minutes - Read images off of card into Bridge, attach IPTC template, and generate previews and backups
10 minutes - Rank the keepers with 1, 2, or 3 stars and delete the rest
30 to 60 minutes - adjust WB, exposure, straighten, crop, obvious blemishes, details, etc. in ACR
8 to 10 minutes - batch convert the adjusted keepers to PSDs with ACR
30 to 90 minutes - "pre-touch" the best of the keepers in Photoshop, perhaps applying effects, detailed skin work if necessary, etc.
5 to 8 minutes - batch convert PSDs to quality=12 JPEGs (with PS) to present to client


So, roughly 2.5 hours to process images from a 45 minute shoot. There. Perhaps the OP does not feel so bad now. :-)

[zagiace]

I know there are many factors,
but pretty much what I thought.
Thanks!

[dsd17]

Howdy,

If that's what you say, I believe you...but I know can't process 100 shots that quickly. That's an average of six seconds per shot!



I think he was saying that he applies the adjustments from one photo to the other 99. In LightRoom you can apply any changes you did to one photo to any other photo you select. If you knew something was wrong in every one of them, it saves huge amounts of time.

[zagiace]

I think he was saying that he applies the adjustments from one photo to the other 99. In LightRoom you can apply any changes you did to one photo to any other photo you select. If you knew something was wrong in every one of them, it saves huge amounts of time.
occasionally I reek that benefit. Ever so often there will be a series of shots where I can copy and paste adjustments. But often it takes longer to recognize this and select the group then I think benefits me time wise. And, I still go through them selecting favorites or editing out blinks and such.