For my brides that follow my blog, and for those who just like pretty pictures, this post is a bit technical, so I’m sorry!
A few weeks ago, I asked my readers if they had any questions for me. I said no topic was off-limits, and surprisingly, I got questions on the running a business/workflow end of things, rather than questions on shoots. Works for me! If you have questions that you would like answered, either ask them here, or head on over to this post.
I’ve already given my take on how to build a client base but this time, I’m going to answer Chris’ question:
How about processing, start to finish? So you’ve taken some sick photos – how about you walk through post-production, export, proofing, and shipping to the clients… all the way to their smiling faces?
My workflow is such second-nature now, I actually had to step back and think about this.
I always go through the photos from my shoots first in Adobe Bridge, deleting any blurry, blink-y, or just less than stellar photos. From there, I import the RAW files into Lightroom, where I make the majority of my edits (I’ll get a bit more into this when I answer Ken’s question about Lightroom).
I’m currently working on Billy & Michelle’s wedding photos, so for my ease, I’ll demonstrate with one of their photos.
This is the RAW file, with no adjustments:
I really like “getting ready” photos in black and white, so we’ll go that route. You can see the majority of my adjustments in the screen cap:
Once I’m done with the batch in Lightroom, I export full-res JPG files (again, more on this when I go over Lightroom), and then move into Photoshop CS4 for a few select adjustments. I usually only use PS on a few photos, the majority of the editing is done in LR. Here you can see that I adjusted levels a little and that I added a color adjustment layer (for the record, I could have done essentially the same things in LR, using split toning instead of color adjustment, but I didn’t think of it until after I exported). The color adjustment layer is a dark blue set at a very low opacity to give a little cooler feel to the black and white.
Ok, final photo:
From here, I create web-res versions (just an action in Photoshop to resize and watermark). I upload those images to my proofing site (currently I use Instaproofs, but my PhotoCart proofing will be launching in just a few weeks) and send an email to my client to let them know the proofs are up. If the package includes it, I also burn a CD of the hi-res images and the web-res images for my client. I then back-up all the finished files (the RAW files are already backed up to the drive and a CD) to a RAID system, and put all the files on a portable hard drive to be transported to an off-site back-up. My back-up/archiving system is extensive, since I’m a little worry wart – I have a 4 TB RAID system at home, a 2 TB RAID off-site (in case anything happens to the house), and CDs of all my RAW files, just as another level of security.
Then I just wait for print orders to come in. Once I’m notified of an order, I go to the folder of images, and pull all images that were ordered. I copy them into a separate folder on my desktop so I have everything I need in one spot. I then resize each photo to the exact size that was ordered. To me, it just seems that the photos turn out better if they are provided to the printer exactly how I want them printed, including size. For prints, I also do spot edits – I might smooth skin a bit, make sure there are no blemishes, sharpen the image a bit more precisely, etc. I look at each photo very closely before I print it. To me, prints have the very real chance of being passed down for a hundred years or more, so it’s most definitely worth the initial time on my end. Once the photo has passed inspection, I upload my photos to the printer and wait for delivery.
Once I receive the photos, I then package them. I actually make my packaging for prints. Each one is unique, and made to fit the specific order:
I then put the order in a more secure envelope or box, and mail it off. General turnaround time for prints, from date of order to on the client’s doorstep, is about 7-14 days.
Awesome, Tasha! There is so much information in there that I may have to process it over a few readings. What you and I do are very similar – except now I find myself focusing MUCH more on lightroom instead of photoshop, because actions bug me sometimes.
For example, you have to create 2 actions for watermarks – one for a vertical photo and one for a horizontal. Then, when batching, you have to be sure JUST to select the horizontal when applying the horizontal watermark action. I’m correct in this, right? Have you heard of the Mogrify plugin for Lightroom? I find it much easier (at least in Lightroom 2, I’m not using v.3 beta). It allows me to create a watermark in photoshop, select the layer styles and opacity, and then lightroom will apply it to the photo in the location of my choice (usually center). This is better than the bland “Lightroom” version of a watermark. [Brb... 5 minutes later...] Wow, check this out, lightroom 3 now allows your own watermarking: http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom3. How. Awesome.
For more fixes/layer edits or for photos I know I want to experiment more with, photoshop is definitely my answer. Especially for blemishes. I won’t use any of those tools in lightroom.
Could you explain more one what a RAID system is? My friend said he has a couple of those. I need to get into the habit of using CDs, too. Right now I just have 2 externals. And I don’t keep my photos on the computer, because after a couple shoots my laptop would be full. All in all, how many locations do you think you save them on? 2 RAIDS and CDs?
Thanks for the post!
Chris – There is a way to make it in PS so that you don’t have to do two actions for horizontal and vertical photos. I don’t remember it off the top of my head, but I’m sure if you Google it, you could find it. I personally do stick to two actions, but it’s not a big deal at all – I just sort by dimension in Bridge, and then do a batch process from there. It takes two minutes. But then I’m also a huge fan of actions and have actions for everything.
I use Lightroom 3, and yes, it does allow watermarking
Doesn’t work for how I do mine, but it is pretty cool.
A RAID is a redundant hard drive, basically. There are two drives (at least) in a RAID, and information is copied between the two automatically, so that if one of the hard drives crashes, the information is still on the other. It reduces the chance of losing your files due to hardware failure. If you count my RAID drives as just one location, then I save my files in three locations, two RAIDs and a CD, as you said. One is off-site and away from the other two, which is important.
That was really helpful. I just bought my first digital SLR a few months ago, and I’m really struggling with the RAW files. I also don’t know how to use Photoshop except for very basic functions. I had heard of Lightroom, but am really curious to try it now.
Thanks for such an informative post!
Hi Beth,
Glad it helped you!
Lightroom is a bit more streamlined than PS, but isn’t as powerful. The best thing to for PS is to just play around – you’ll slowly figure things out.
Scott Kelby’s books also helped me a lot with both Photoshop and Lightroom. They’re very easy to understand and give some practical tips.
Yeah – to second Tasha, lightroom is amazing. If you are starting out – that’s definitely the place to be. Amazing for catalogs, tagging stuff, metadata, etc. Photoshop is great for certain things when you know how to use it. I definitely wouldn’t get by without Photoshop, but I couldn’t live without Lightroom.
@Chris… the way to batch-resize photos in Photoshop and not have to worry about them being horizontals or verticals is to go to File -> Automate -> Fit Image…
Then put in the value you want for your long side into both the height and width fields and hit OK. And done!
Great post, Tasha!
I know it’s a little off topic but I found your blog and was just wondering if you could tell me what theme you’reusing? It’s really super! If you’d be so kind as to perhaps let me know by replying to one of my posts or sending an email to my address I’d really appreciate it!