Talking with a friend and fellow photographer this morning got me to thinking that some other people might benefit from the photo workflow that I use. A little about my shooting style first. I click the shutter a lot. I do my best to keep the camera to my eye and tell myself to be like a boxer, stick and move, use angles and don’t forget to jab(ber).

List Style, In Chronological Order, from the top.

1. Take the pictures, make them as good in camera as you can, makes chimping more fun.
2. Hook up USB Cable to the Camera to download all of the images.
3. All of my Images (usually RAW), go into a folder of the Date they were shot on my desktop. TopLevel Photo Folder -> 03_22_2010 -> All images.
4. Back up the 03_22_2010 Folder to the External Drives. Don’t Delete Memory Cards until all of the images reside in two separate locations.
5. Import All Files from a photoshoot into LightRoom. Create a new Catalog for each shoot. (I know this is standard practice, but it works for me)
5. Apply my copyright settings on import.
6. Edit in the Develop Module of Lightroom. I extensively use presets and the Sync button.
7. Create a preset folder for each catalog. Build off of previous presets for cross-processing, split-toning, desaturation, white balance issues.
8. Assign a One Star to decent but not great files, Assign a 5 Star to great images. Edit all of these
9. Delete Blinkies, Mis-focuses, awkward expressions, etc. By Delete, I mean remove from LightRoom, don’t actually delete any RAW’s.
10. Export 1 Star JPGS into Sub-Folder of date folder, usually called “The Rest”
11. Export 5 Star JPGS into Sub-Folder of date folder, usually called “The Best”
12. “The Rest” typically get no further editing.
13. Fire up PhotoShop to fine-tune “The Best”
14. Upload to Zenfolio all the JPGS, to create an online backup, and store-front for Prints
15. Burn DVD of all the JPGS.
16. Create Custom Client Products.
17. Rinse Repeat.

I realize this workflow doesn’t work for everyone, but I thought it might shed a little light on how to get through 800 photos for one shoot.

Is yours better? Leave answers in the comments.

–JB
9.

A quick little plug for a piece of software that is going to be a new component in my retouching arsenal, Imagenomic’s Portraiture.

I have been wanting software that could give my models and subjects the refined look of polish that I see in so many photographers imagery. After reading some reviews, I decided to give Portraiture a try.

First off, I can’t believe how quick and easy it is to use. I wasn’t really looking forward to using and learning another piece of software for negligible results. Quite surprised/impressed with the power of the results in basically no time at all. The above image is off my mother, (hope she doesn’t mind), I felt if that the image was fairly good to begin with. Went with a clamshell light setup with a bare bulb behind to add texture to the background. The image on the left though lacked that final polish. With Portraiture, I think I spent about 45 seconds editing the image on the right. I messed around with some sliders based on the default presets, found what I liked, presto!, great looking skin that isn’t plasticky or devoid of details.

Second, the cost. 199 for a Photoshop plugin?, sounds expensive at first. How many minutes/hours would it take me to get these results freehanded? 30 minutes at least, and the look wouldn’t be as good. Also, when you can present your subjects looking their best, the clients will be thrilled. Raise your hand if you hate thrilled clients? thought so.

If you photograph people of all ages, download the trial of Portraiture to see if you can’t take your images to the next level.

–JB