What do you Edit Your Photos With?

I get asked this a lot. Like, which programs I use and which actions I use.

Here’s what I can tell you.

I have worked for a few years now on perfecting something that works for me. I always encourage people to do the same. What I do may not work for you.

First off, I believe in investing in GOOD GLASS! I used to just buy the more inexpensive lenses, but really once you shoot with good glass you notice the difference. It’s worth the investment. So, I tend to shoot with the L Series of glass from Canon with my 5D.

I do shoot in RAW format, but have started moving over to JPEG because I shoot manual and tend to do a pretty good job with my exposure. Raw is great if you’re not getting spot on and have to do some major adjustments. However, RAW does take up a lot more room!

So, here’s my process for getting images to my computer. I work off a MAC, and use a Memory Card reader. I insert my Compact Flash Card and create a new client folder under a month folder. So, all my June photos are in that folder. Each client has a folder. And that folder has their name with a date the images were shot. Just makes it easier for me.

Inside that folder I create a “Downloads” – this is ALL of my images straight from the card and off my camera. Then, I make a DVD backup of that. Hey, it just takes one crash!

Next up, I open up Adobe Lightroom. I do an import to a NEW location in that folder called “Lightroom Imports”. I always import a copy so my originals are never touched. Call me paranoid, but it’s hard to get those memories back! In Lightroom, I use the “STAR” rating system. I keep one hand on my arrow keys and the other with my fingers on the numbers 1 & 2 keys. As I scroll though my images good ones get a 1 and bad ones a 2. This allows me to quickly sort through my images and narrow them down. Yes, I continuous shoot (especially with dogs) so I can come home with 300-400 images. But, I just need 15-25 good ones. If I have more, that’s okay too! The idea is to pick the best! I can do this pretty quick now!

Then, while still in Lightroom, I sort to show JUST my 1 Star images. I go to the Develop tab and look at each one. If I’m in the same “area” in a shot – like say we’re in the backyard and the lighting, etc. is all consistent. I will usually edit one image and adjust the exposure, blacks, vibrance and vignetting. Just basic enhancements. Giving them a slight contrast. Sometimes I can see up closer now and will find more to rate as a 2 Star – so I do. If the next 10 are similar in exposure, then I just paste my “Previously applied” to those too. Tweaking as needed. This speeds me up A LOT!

When I’m done in Lightroom, I then do an export to a NEW folder in the client folder called, “Color” – these are now my color images. I open them in Photoshop and here’s where I may use some actions:

Because I shoot in natural light, sometimes I need a fill light. I have an action from Kubota called “Digital Fill” and it allows me to paint a little light into faces. I enhance eyes via my own action found at Pink Ink Studios called “Eye Sparkle”. This gives the eye a little more “life” and I even use it on dogs. I’ve created an action for myself called “Apply Lab Color” and I have talked about Lab Color in the past. It is just changing the color mode to Lab/Soft light and then adjusting opacity.

These actions above are pretty much must haves for me. The ones I tend to use to finish my images. I also use one from Itty Bitty called Subject Light in Glow – which blurs the edges slightly for me. Sometimes, I will duplicate my layer and change the blend mode to “Soft Light” to give it more contrast.

Then, I save. I may clean up skin, and whatever else is in the way.

I duplicate this folder and call it Black & White. In Photoshop – yes, I use it for converting – I have an action from Kubota called Warm & Snappy that I like to use. It has a bit of warmth to it that I prefer in my B&W images. Save!

Now, in Bridge, since I may be done getting rid of any last minute ones that just didn’t look good enough, I do a batch rename for both folders of images inside.

Voila!

I don’t use a lot of “fancy” actions for overprocessing my images. I am just not into them! I may play with some of my own “artsy” shots with some that I have, but I don’t really do that for my client images. It’s simple. It’s a fast process for me! And, I prefer it that way. Oh, and the client likes them too. That’s what matters most! Don’t spend hundreds of dollars because some photographer tells you that you need “their” actions to make your images better. It’s your artistic eye that makes your shots great!

When I am done my folders look like this:

June/JohnDoe061508/Downloads, Lightroom Imports, Color, BnW, Slideshow (where I put the slide images and show files).
Thanks!

Related posts:

1. Photographer FAQ – Organize
2. Secrets to Editing | Warm Images
3. Back That File Up!