What Program?

I want to shoot in RAW but I'm going to need an appropriate workflow. What do you guys use? I know my way around Gimp and have no problem learning a new system.
-Katie

My wedding workflow.

I use Photoshop and ACR.

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13836722
I want to shoot in RAW but I'm going to need an appropriate workflow. What do you guys use? I know my way around Gimp and have no problem learning a new system.
-Katie

Well, I don't use Gimp and know nothing about its Raw processor, so I couldn't give you any specifics there.

In general I look to maximize my Raw processing, to squeeze every bit of benefit from my Raw files that I can. I use Lightroom, and occasionally DPP, and get all I can from the tones/colors. In fact, for my photography I don't typically want/need the "advanced" editing capabilities in a photo editor, so my output is typically straight from my Raw processor (Lightroom).

So, my workflow is pretty basic centered around both the Raw tools and the organizing and output tools in Lightroom. "Import" my images, and then I can choose between doing things like assigning kewords, or I can jump right into Developing the images, although part of that will typically "flag" some images for rejecting/deleting and some for "special" processing that will end up with them being posted in my Web host.

Lightroom 95%, Photoshop Elements 5%. LR handles all my basic processing, cataloging, keywording, printing/exporting needs. PSE for when I want to composite, add fancier text than LR allows, make posters, etc.

Lightroom is very good, but I prefer Aperture, which is Mac only. Full demos are available for both.

I would advise starting with DPP. Once you have mastered it to the point where you feel you want more, start trying Lightroom, Aperture, Capture 1 and Silky Pix. If you are on a tight budget, Raw Therapee and the DPP ++ plugin should also be considered. Finding a RAW converter is a lot like finding a mate.

I used DPP (which is free and very powerful) for years, but the workflow when dealing with large amounts of image (e.g. from events) was killing me...

Lightroom set me free.

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13836722
I want to shoot in RAW but I'm going to need an appropriate workflow. What do you guys use? I know my way around Gimp and have no problem learning a new system.
-Katie

I use Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop CS. My workflow used to be 10% in ACR and 90% in CS, but after getting more familiar with the features in ACR, i now do 90% PP in ACR, and 10% in CS.

1. Select the same series of photos in Adobe Bridge and open them in ACR.
   
2. Crop first if necessary. Then adjust WB, Exposure, Shadow, Highlight, Clarity, Saturation, etc. Also adjust the Curves for contrast.
   
3. Adjust hue and tone on the HSL/Grascale tab.
   
4. Add some sharpening in ACR as well.
   
5. Correct some lens distortion if necessary
   
6. At this point I can sync my changes thus far, to all other images in the same series and save them as jpeg(output) but if i need to blend different exposures, i proceed to the following steps.
   
7. Export the images to CS. Create layers with various exposures and start the blending. Maybe some additional output sharpening if necessary.
   
8. Save for Web. Done.