- I import to Lightroom via a card reader. It's faster than connecting the camera to the computer. I used to import to a folder for each date but over the last couple of years I found that to be a nightmare for archiving. Lightroom has such great filtering tools that I just don't need to break them down that far. I import them into a general import folder then every month I back those up to dvds and move the photos to a yearly folder using Lightroom. I have a couple of presets that I use during import that give me a general starting point for my editing and add some basic data into the exif.
- In the library module I now go through the shoot and select the photos that will get further consideration using a simple flagged/not flagged system. I add my keywords even to the ones I'm not flagging. Then I filter for just the flagged photos. Some photographers will delete the ones they did not flag to save room but I keep them. You never know when an out of focus photo will work well with a new creative filter in photoshop that has not come out yet. I keep them just in case. Besides, disc space is cheap these days.
- Now I move on to the develop module for some basic editing. I check the white balance, exposure, sharpness, crop on all the photos just to make sure they are the way I like them or what the client likes. Then I'll dive into some curves adjustments, HSL adjustments, maybe some contrast or just some black level adjustment. I don't do a whole lot of post processing on the majority of my photos. I like the natural look to them having a film background and being at the mercy of the developers has caused that I think. But sometimes I just see the need for some work in photoshop and for that I use Photoshop Elements. It has the majority of the tools that I would ever need.
- Now I will go through the flagged photos and give them a rating a 3 or a 5 depending on how much I like it. I usually only give the 5s to the client but I'll work on the 3s a little more and see if I can jump it up to a 5.
- If the photo is noisy, I'll send it out to Noiseninja as a TIFF for some work there. Love that program by the way.
- I've been playing with an evaluation copy of Imagenomic Portraiture. All I can say is WOW! Even I looked good after that program. LOL.
- After bringing the TIFF back into Lightroom I'll either export it out as a high res JPG or upload it to Flickr. If I put them on Flickr for a client to review, I create a set just for them and make all the photos private. I send them a guest pass to the set for them to look at. I am looking at using possibly Smug Mug as a back end in the future.
- Occasionaly I do some prints which I send to London Drugs of all places here in Edmonton. The store I use does a great job and they are very consistent. Pricing is great too.
That's pretty much how I roll. Deciding to convert to DNG allows me to have the development information embedded in the file so I won't loose it. Other than slowing the import a bit, I don't think it will affect my work flow at all. I will sometimes try something new maybe do some black and white conversions but not much. I just love the vibrant color.
I would love to hear how others go about thier work flow. Leave me a comment and lets compare.
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Chris.
Basically, the only difference between our workflows is how we organize our files on the disk. I will give a full date and description of the shoot to each import which are saved in a yearly folder. But then, that's the beauty of Lightroom - it lets you organize your files in a way that works best for you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't mention that I rename my files on import with the Camera Model and the Date added to the end of the file name.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for detailing your work flow, its always interesting to hear other routines.
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement, trying to work with pictures imported by date is NON-PLUS.
I also find it interesting that you don't throw away pictures that are slightly less than your standard. I do the same thing. I tuck them in my reclamation folder and I toy with them from time to time trying to improve upon their flaws.
Smugmug does seem like a nice way to go commercial without a custom front/back back end. But, It would be much better if they had a lab in Canada! I hate to think the troubles that someone would have buying a print off smugmug and having it shipped here.
I have Technicare doing my prints. I have found their quality to be exceptional.
Once I "streamline" my workflow, I will make sure I detail it here. My flow seems to change, my wife is an efficiency expert, I wonder if I should get her to optimize it for me! ;)
Corey