WORKFLOW discussion... how you shoot, process, develop, publish
- Thread starter microcosm
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Have two or more copies of the same data on different physical locations (ie. two sets of DVDs or two hard disks)... it's a statistics thing. What are the odds of two sets of backup failing at the same time? (very low vs that of just 1 set of backup)
microcosm
Senior Member
That is very true, and that is why you should never have two harddisks from the same batch to reduce the chance of it failing.
Blu-By-U
Senior Member
Backup on the go with VP8300. On return, RAWshooter (now part of Adobe) or Olympus Master 2 to convert to JPEG. I will be switching over to Silkypix next for this process.
Sort through and delete pictures that are not up to mark. The ok JPEGs are then burnt to a VCD Labeled and stored away in my dry box. ORF are also deleted for shots that are not up to mark. This is where I love the Arcsoft’s Raw Viewer plug in. Makes life easier and faster. What’s left are then moved into my 350GB external Maxtor. The VP8300 is then cleared ready for the next use.
The shots that require panorama (Arcsoft’s Panorama maker 4) are then moved from and adjustments are then moved into another portable drive which I bring to my office and if I have time, I would then do the adjustments. It can be HDR,(Photomatix) then joint or adjust or cropped (Paint Shop Pro) or anything else that I think I want to do with them.
If it’s photos from a holiday trip, I may convert them into a DVD presentation using Codejam’s Memories on TV. Wonderful and easy to use program. Music in MP3 format converted using Free Rip 3 is added. I usually burn 2~3 copies of DVD for keeping.
What else did I miss out??
Sort through and delete pictures that are not up to mark. The ok JPEGs are then burnt to a VCD Labeled and stored away in my dry box. ORF are also deleted for shots that are not up to mark. This is where I love the Arcsoft’s Raw Viewer plug in. Makes life easier and faster. What’s left are then moved into my 350GB external Maxtor. The VP8300 is then cleared ready for the next use.
The shots that require panorama (Arcsoft’s Panorama maker 4) are then moved from and adjustments are then moved into another portable drive which I bring to my office and if I have time, I would then do the adjustments. It can be HDR,(Photomatix) then joint or adjust or cropped (Paint Shop Pro) or anything else that I think I want to do with them.
If it’s photos from a holiday trip, I may convert them into a DVD presentation using Codejam’s Memories on TV. Wonderful and easy to use program. Music in MP3 format converted using Free Rip 3 is added. I usually burn 2~3 copies of DVD for keeping.
What else did I miss out??
Yeah, you'd be surprised how predictable sometimes a product's lifespan can be.
I have seen two identical model monitors purchased at the same time die within just a few months of each other, after being used for 5 years.
Cameras : Olympus E-300, E-330
Format shot in : RAW (JPG for casual shoot)
Developer : Adobe Lightroom for RAW conversion, Photoshop CS3 for detail retouching
Planning:
Because for most of the time I shoot portraiture with certain themes, so whenever I am inspired by a certain idea, I will record down immediately. And after I am dismissed from my day-time job everyday, i will rethink the feasibility of the ideas (including the model required, the locations of the shoot, the lights needed, of course the styling and make-ups), i will draw them on the rough paper, and it does give you a more direct idea how you should do in the actual shoot.
The Logistic:
Since I've just picked up photography since march 06, I always think , as a beginner i should learn more with the minimum cost (but actually i've invested so much in my equipments for which i should really be ashame), I've never attended any paid model shoot until now. My models are all among my friends or TFCD. I should say all the credit of the shoot should be given to my girlfriend Cui, because she handled the styling, the make-ups, and for 80% of the shootx, she's my only model. The wardrobe, outfits and even cosmetics are real big problems for independent photographers, it's very hard for you to borrow these because you are not well-kown at all. For times, we have to make outfits by ourselves, and I even asked my parents to bring some dresses, gowns and wigs from China when they came here during last Chinese New Year. Well, if you are really devoted to what you like to do, you have to make your dearest ones support you.
The shoot:
Actually the shoot is usually shot comparing to the whole planning, but for location shoot it really depends on the weather, all I need to do during the shoot is to execute what ever is planned, at the end of the shoot, make sure there's no disappointment due to stupid mistakes.
Processing Workflow :
I shoot in RAW+SQ jpeg for 95% of the time. SQ jpegs functions as previews to select the desired ones and delete those failed ones.
I create new folders with DD/MM/YY format plus some descriptions which is quite similar to microcosm's
RAW conversion:
- Adjust the image to a better histogram shape
- Recover as much as details as possible by using fill-light, recover functions or the tone curve
- Adjust the vibration and saturation according to the theme of the shot
- Develope the RAW to jpeg (I usually keep AdobeRGB up to this stage)
Post-processing in Photoshop:
- For most of the time, the final product is going to be posted on web, I set the default workspace's color to SRGB.
-After it's opened in PS, i will convert it to Lab color first, and adjust levels and curves, this is to separate the lightness channel and the color channels to avoid possible loss of colors.
-Next step is to add the dramatic effects, it's never beyond three components: details (sometimes need to over-sharpen a bit), contrast (emphasize your subject, and darken the background), the eyes ( burn and dodge the catchlights in side the eyes is a must for me)
-The last step is to burn and dodge every single component of your image, this really requires your good skills in drawings and understanding of light, it really depend on individual's idea, that's a very personal part
After photoshop:
My own personal printing experience had never been happy, i would like to bring some prints and learn from you experts on next kopi session.
Format shot in : RAW (JPG for casual shoot)
Developer : Adobe Lightroom for RAW conversion, Photoshop CS3 for detail retouching
Planning:
Because for most of the time I shoot portraiture with certain themes, so whenever I am inspired by a certain idea, I will record down immediately. And after I am dismissed from my day-time job everyday, i will rethink the feasibility of the ideas (including the model required, the locations of the shoot, the lights needed, of course the styling and make-ups), i will draw them on the rough paper, and it does give you a more direct idea how you should do in the actual shoot.
The Logistic:
Since I've just picked up photography since march 06, I always think , as a beginner i should learn more with the minimum cost (but actually i've invested so much in my equipments for which i should really be ashame), I've never attended any paid model shoot until now. My models are all among my friends or TFCD. I should say all the credit of the shoot should be given to my girlfriend Cui, because she handled the styling, the make-ups, and for 80% of the shootx, she's my only model. The wardrobe, outfits and even cosmetics are real big problems for independent photographers, it's very hard for you to borrow these because you are not well-kown at all. For times, we have to make outfits by ourselves, and I even asked my parents to bring some dresses, gowns and wigs from China when they came here during last Chinese New Year. Well, if you are really devoted to what you like to do, you have to make your dearest ones support you.
The shoot:
Actually the shoot is usually shot comparing to the whole planning, but for location shoot it really depends on the weather, all I need to do during the shoot is to execute what ever is planned, at the end of the shoot, make sure there's no disappointment due to stupid mistakes.
Processing Workflow :
I shoot in RAW+SQ jpeg for 95% of the time. SQ jpegs functions as previews to select the desired ones and delete those failed ones.
I create new folders with DD/MM/YY format plus some descriptions which is quite similar to microcosm's
RAW conversion:
- Adjust the image to a better histogram shape
- Recover as much as details as possible by using fill-light, recover functions or the tone curve
- Adjust the vibration and saturation according to the theme of the shot
- Develope the RAW to jpeg (I usually keep AdobeRGB up to this stage)
Post-processing in Photoshop:
- For most of the time, the final product is going to be posted on web, I set the default workspace's color to SRGB.
-After it's opened in PS, i will convert it to Lab color first, and adjust levels and curves, this is to separate the lightness channel and the color channels to avoid possible loss of colors.
-Next step is to add the dramatic effects, it's never beyond three components: details (sometimes need to over-sharpen a bit), contrast (emphasize your subject, and darken the background), the eyes ( burn and dodge the catchlights in side the eyes is a must for me)
-The last step is to burn and dodge every single component of your image, this really requires your good skills in drawings and understanding of light, it really depend on individual's idea, that's a very personal part
After photoshop:
My own personal printing experience had never been happy, i would like to bring some prints and learn from you experts on next kopi session.
Kid Shotter
New Member
Camera:Olympus E300
Shoot in Jpeg or RAW occasionally
Developer:No but will try Silkypix soon
After shoot,i make a new folder and transfer my pic through Apacer Card Reader on Total Commander into my internal 320GB(160GB is my partition),Then,i view my pic via Fastone Image Viewer and choose a few picture that are presentable for upload.Before Upload,i will crop and resize to 1200x960.
Shoot in Jpeg or RAW occasionally
Developer:No but will try Silkypix soon
After shoot,i make a new folder and transfer my pic through Apacer Card Reader on Total Commander into my internal 320GB(160GB is my partition),Then,i view my pic via Fastone Image Viewer and choose a few picture that are presentable for upload.Before Upload,i will crop and resize to 1200x960.
microcosm
Senior Member
Thanks for sharing your workflow, and I recommend that you try to use more powerful software to process your digital film to get the best from your images captured.
Kid Shotter
New Member
I shoot Jpeg and i don't know how to PP and the Oly colour is so wonderful.
Nothing too fancy here:
Camera(s) : Olympus E-1
Format shot in : JPG for sports, TIFF for commercial/print work
Developer : Photoshop 7.0/Photoshop Elements 4.0
Typical workflow :
I create a dated folder (2007.07.25) in my work folder cleverly named Work folder, attach my USB 2.0 multi-card reader and transfer the contents of the card. Multiple day events, such as tournaments have multiple folders and more than one transfer per day to make certain I have room to shoot. (I'm not convinced about the reliability of memory cards and haven't gone past 2 GB cards yet, though I'm sure I'll have to do this to shoot RAW with the E-1 replacement.) (I generally back up to my iPod on site and to a separate external hard drive at home, plus make CD-Rs after the final edits.)
Once the transfer is finished, I replace the card(s) in the camera and delete the images. While that's happening, I select the really bad photos on the computer and delete those. Then, I increase the size of the thumbnails and do another pass to see the photos that may be bad but were missed on the first pass and display those in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements and delete those impossible to be improved.
After that, I do corrections for colour and exposure. I don't ask a lot for my sports photos and removing pimples isn't necessary so they don't receive a lot of treatment but I often need to print a few contact sheets so I have to be quick. For commercial work, I usually end up removing odd background items (wires, threads, and holes in walls) and doing more intricate/careful colour and exposure corrections plus a conversion to CMYK for print.
I then move the folder(s) to a folder under my Photos folder, which is contained within the "Customer" folder or "Sports" folder to support my serious work, if you can call it that. The names and dates are all in there, otherwise it would be a mess. Once that's done, I make CDs and update my external drive. Lastly, I create web pages using JAlbum.
Camera(s) : Olympus E-1
Format shot in : JPG for sports, TIFF for commercial/print work
Developer : Photoshop 7.0/Photoshop Elements 4.0
Typical workflow :
I create a dated folder (2007.07.25) in my work folder cleverly named Work folder, attach my USB 2.0 multi-card reader and transfer the contents of the card. Multiple day events, such as tournaments have multiple folders and more than one transfer per day to make certain I have room to shoot. (I'm not convinced about the reliability of memory cards and haven't gone past 2 GB cards yet, though I'm sure I'll have to do this to shoot RAW with the E-1 replacement.) (I generally back up to my iPod on site and to a separate external hard drive at home, plus make CD-Rs after the final edits.)
Once the transfer is finished, I replace the card(s) in the camera and delete the images. While that's happening, I select the really bad photos on the computer and delete those. Then, I increase the size of the thumbnails and do another pass to see the photos that may be bad but were missed on the first pass and display those in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements and delete those impossible to be improved.
After that, I do corrections for colour and exposure. I don't ask a lot for my sports photos and removing pimples isn't necessary so they don't receive a lot of treatment but I often need to print a few contact sheets so I have to be quick. For commercial work, I usually end up removing odd background items (wires, threads, and holes in walls) and doing more intricate/careful colour and exposure corrections plus a conversion to CMYK for print.
I then move the folder(s) to a folder under my Photos folder, which is contained within the "Customer" folder or "Sports" folder to support my serious work, if you can call it that. The names and dates are all in there, otherwise it would be a mess. Once that's done, I make CDs and update my external drive. Lastly, I create web pages using JAlbum.
I shoot primarily panoramas and here is my workflow.
Cylindrical Panoramas (I am still fine tuning my processes for spherical panoramas)
1) All RAW images pertaining to a panorama are put into a folder and named (Pano Name)_RAW. This is backed up onto DVD and ext HD.
2) Next, batch process the images in Oly Studio 1.5 for colors
3) Any optical distortion is corrected with PTLens.
4) Backup to HD RAW processed and corrected images.
5) Stitch images into pano strip. Backup pano strip to HD.
6) DI works on pano. Backup DIed pano to HD again.
7) Once I am satisfied with my Pano, I backup everything, from RAW images, intermmediate images and final pano onto a DVD and ext HD. Each pano is treated as a mini project.
I make it a point to backup along each stage of my workflow. Why? Because I don't want to waste time going back to redoing certain actions. Time consuming but it works for me.
I am always look for ways to automate certain parts of the workflow. I will eventually invest in the top end pano gear as time is money.
Precision gear == less variables == Easier to automate
The only thing I cannot automate is the DI part.
I will write on QTVR object movies on a later date when I get the time.
Cylindrical Panoramas (I am still fine tuning my processes for spherical panoramas)
1) All RAW images pertaining to a panorama are put into a folder and named (Pano Name)_RAW. This is backed up onto DVD and ext HD.
2) Next, batch process the images in Oly Studio 1.5 for colors
3) Any optical distortion is corrected with PTLens.
4) Backup to HD RAW processed and corrected images.
5) Stitch images into pano strip. Backup pano strip to HD.
6) DI works on pano. Backup DIed pano to HD again.
7) Once I am satisfied with my Pano, I backup everything, from RAW images, intermmediate images and final pano onto a DVD and ext HD. Each pano is treated as a mini project.
I make it a point to backup along each stage of my workflow. Why? Because I don't want to waste time going back to redoing certain actions. Time consuming but it works for me.
I am always look for ways to automate certain parts of the workflow. I will eventually invest in the top end pano gear as time is money.
Precision gear == less variables == Easier to automate
The only thing I cannot automate is the DI part.
I will write on QTVR object movies on a later date when I get the time.
microcosm
Senior Member
Thanks for sharing your workflow, everyone. It is good to know how everyone process their images and it is common that everyone backs up in a big way now as we have all lost images some time or another in the film-less era.
VR Man, I would love to see more of your sharing on QTVR workflow as I am interested in knowing more about this as well. It is a discipline of its own. I know some of the stuff you do are trade secrets ;p but share as much as you can about getting our heads to understanding QTVR better. I know what you do is definitely not something we can splice together easily with those Pano applications out there... looking forward to more sharing from you.
Keep the discussions coming and share.
VR Man, I would love to see more of your sharing on QTVR workflow as I am interested in knowing more about this as well. It is a discipline of its own. I know some of the stuff you do are trade secrets ;p but share as much as you can about getting our heads to understanding QTVR better. I know what you do is definitely not something we can splice together easily with those Pano applications out there... looking forward to more sharing from you.
Keep the discussions coming and share.
No trade secrets lah. I am just a pixel perfectionist. :think:
Just think spatial and 3D. You are photographing for that rather than stills.
Pay special attention to what your stitcher can and cannot do. That will affect the way you shoot on the ground. I treat my stitching software and photoshop as extensions of my camera. I do NOT believe in "Just photoshop it later" approach.
Perhaps the most important "secret" is a Consuming Passion.
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