| Introduction: |
| This is a detailed workflow that I use for
processing my images. You might find that it is a little long or
excessive or have your own way of doing things. That is fine. Not
everyone will do things exactly the save way. Think of this as more of a
guide. Take from it what you need or change it to suit your needs. |
| |
| Image Acquisition: |
- Always shoot Raw for high quality prints.
- Import to computer from camera.
- Dual backup of originals to mirrored hard drives. All edited
files will be saved to both drives as well.
- Prepare a DVD for later use. It will hold the original files and
any edited ones from that shoot that are considered finished.
|
| Adobe Camera Raw: |
- Image is opened in ACR.
- Select ProPhoto RGB only if I see clipping in the color channels
in Adobe RGB. Is otherwise not necessary. Always 16-bit
mode...always.
- Adjust white balance, exposure, vibrance, and saturation.
- Tone curve can be adjusted here or later in Photoshop.
- Sharpening and noise reduction are both off for raw conversion.
- Adjust hue, saturation, and luminance for the individual color
channels if needed.
- Adjust for chromatic aberration if any and vignetting if any.
- Open image.
|
| Initial Processing: |
- If the image was open in ProPhoto I immediately convert it to
Adobe RGB.
- Save file as a PSD file. Save it as the original filename with
ACR tacked on the end. This lets me know that this is the image just
after the raw conversion.
- Initial crop to remove elements that were not in the composition
and horizontal correction if needed. Depending on the camera I use I
don't always get 100% coverage through the viewfinder. The elements
that were not in the composition are distracting and affect the
histogram. (Ctrl + to zoom in and drag crop box handles around. Ctrl
- to zoom out)
|
| Image Cleaning: |
- If the image needs noise correction I use Noise Ninja to fix it.
This is done on duplicate background layer renamed to NN. It is best
to create a set of profiles for your particular camera at different
ISO settings using the Noise Ninja color chart and profiling
feature. I works very well.
- After noise correction I use the clone tool to remove unwanted
objects such as wires, image sensor dust etc.
- The clone tool can be a little rough so a little use of the
healing brush is sometimes necessary.
- Save image as a PSD with original filename + CLN.
|
| Image Tonality: |
- Use Levels Tool.
- If Levels is insufficient for the job I
use Curves.
- Adjust any color casts (sometimes in the shadows) using Curves
and editing the individual color channel.
|
| Final Edits: |
- At this point in time the image should be close to finished. It
might need some finishing touches using the paintbrush, eraser and
other tools.
- If masks are needed this is when I use them, usually for
recovering some shadow detail or local area sharpening.
- Dodge and Burn and Sponge tools as necessary.
- Correct perspective if lens distortion is not desirable.
- Save image as a PSD with original filename + EDT.
|
| Final Crop and Sampling: |
- Crop image to desired size.
- Merge layers.
- Sample down if needed using Adobe Bicubic. Set Image Size and
Resolution.
- If up up-sampling, save file as Genuine Fractals (.stn) and
reopen. Up-sample as needed.
- Adjust resolution for and print size.
- Ctrl + S to save image.
|
| Sharpening: |
- Sharpening is done as the very last thing before printing or
posting on the web.
- Use Nik Sharpener to sharpen based on desired output.
- Check for artifacts and repair or undo the sharpening and
sharpen to a lesser degree.
- Use Healing brush to clean up any artifacts that sharpening can
emphasize.
- Save Image as a PSD with original filename + FNL.
|
| Proofing: |
- Soft proof for media type. Specific ICC profiles for different
paper types are needed.
- View --> Proof Setup --> Custom or select intended ICC profile.
Intent set to Perceptual, Black Point Compensation on, Simulate
Black Ink on.
- Create adjustment layer for Curves. Use Curves and/or
Hue/Saturation to tweak image. Ctrl + Y swaps between proofing on
and off.
- Once happy with image rename proofing layer to Print.
- Ctrl + S to save image.
|
| Printing: |
- In the print dialogue select media for printing.
- Photoshop manages colors.
- Choose ICC profile used to create the proof.
- Rendering intent is Perceptual.
- Disable all color management in printer. In the printer dialogue
box only changes made are to the paper type, quality, and borderless
printing if desired.
- Print.
|
| Cheers. |
