- Messages
- 295
- Name
- Ramesh (Ram)
- Edit My Images
- No
After a comment on this thread I thought I may as well put this one out there.
The only other thread on workflow I was able to search and find was this RAW Workflow.
So, please rip my workflow apart and also please post what you do too
Tips and tricks and any and all software welcome.
Ramesh.
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PRE-IMPORT
REMOVE ALL DUPLICATES and "TEST SHOTS" (30 mins)
POST PROCESSING (can take a few hours to a full day depending on number of images in the "keepers" set)
I also tag for the client set as I am working on the images:
CREATE THE CLIENT SET
CREATIVE or CORRECTIVE CROPS
EXPORT FOR PROOFING
POST PROCESS EFFECTS (can take couple of hours to days)
The only other thread on workflow I was able to search and find was this RAW Workflow.
So, please rip my workflow apart and also please post what you do too
Tips and tricks and any and all software welcome.
Ramesh.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRE-IMPORT
- Download files on PC on the night of the shoot and create first backup copy too. Go to bed.
- Wake up, make a massive jug of Colombian roast coffee and get to work.
- Create a "master" and a "work" folder set
- Open Lightroom and create a new catalogue (I do this for every "major" shoot) in the top level of the "work" folder
- Import the images from the "work" folder and apply an import preset which tags the images with a unique keyword, sets copyright and imports them at 1:1
- Have a cuppa, browse internet whilst it's doing that
- Create a Smart Collection set for the unique keyword set at import and also sub folders for the keywords I am going to spray can:
- Keywording - Using the Library module: Use the keyword spray can to spray the the photos with the stages of the shoot; "getting ready", "bridal portrait", "ceremony", "formal groups" etc
- The photos will automatically jump into the smart collection sets
REMOVE ALL DUPLICATES and "TEST SHOTS" (30 mins)
- No messing about here, starting with the first photo and with both hands on the keyboard, with a finger on the "right arrow key" and a finger on the "x" key, I reject all duplicates and test shots (blurry, poor framing etc)
- I then filter on the the rejected and check them quickly. I then filter on the others and check them quickly too. Looking for any missed ones, tagged mistakenly etc.
POST PROCESSING (can take a few hours to a full day depending on number of images in the "keepers" set)
- The fun begins...
- In the Develop module I basically follow the order of the panel. I perform the following on sets of similar photos. That is, I find the first photo in the set that needs correcting, make the adjust and then sync the others or copy and paste the corrections:
- Except Lens correction, why it is at the bottom I don't know - I switch this on first for all the photos
- Correct the white balance for a "set" of similar photos
- Correct the exposure
- Perform recovery if I need to
- Always increase the blacks slightly
- As I am scanning, I'll use the Spot Removal tool to remove artefacts and the GND filter for the sky
- I play a little with the "Presence" set of sliders
- Apply slight noise reduction to all the high ISO shots (I filter on the shots that have an ISO at or above 800) - The 5D II is great for low noise!
- Apply a little vignette to nearly all the photos using post-crop setting so that the crop further below does not affect this vignette
I also tag for the client set as I am working on the images:
CREATE THE CLIENT SET
- The main difference between this set and the "keepers" set is that all the photos are unique and are what I consider to be "the best" of the keepers.
- I tag with the 6 key, and set the colour to Red. These tagged images are much easier to see than a 5 star image
- I do a quick run through from first to last image to make sure I am happy with the client set
- Nearly all the shots from the "keeper" set can make it to the "client" set
- It is on these that I spend the most time
CREATIVE or CORRECTIVE CROPS
- I'll do the crops at this point. I maintain the aspect ratio and crop specifically:
- Remove stuff on the edges I did not spot when I did the in-camera crop
- Want a better composition
- Create an image from an image (the massive file from the 5D II lets me do this with no size issues)
EXPORT FOR PROOFING
- I export these files for my private web gallery. I use FotoPlayer and so set the options accordingly and upload the gallery directly through Lightroom
- I've applied a watermark on the images and reduced size for this export
- I send an email to the client inviting them and their friends to view their gallery along with a PDF on how the gallery works, ordering prints etc
- I also ask them to place an order from FotoPlayer which lets them choose which photos they would like in their album. This is used as a guide for me in case there is a really important shot they want in their album. I try and create the album with that I think would be good.
POST PROCESS EFFECTS (can take couple of hours to days)
- I then make the black and white set. I do this by making virtual copies of all the photos. I then filter on the virual copies, put them in and black and white collection and then run a preset that I created.
- Next I look at finding signature photos and do a number of effects on them such as split toning, different hue, open in Photoshop and run some effects actions
- If the client has requested any additional PP then I do this now too
- At this point, you can take as long as you like doing many different effects, show off your skills or just leave them as they are