1. © N. David King

2. WORKFLOW Making Digital Photography Work for You! © N. David King

3. Workflow in Digital Photography A Workflow is simply the sequence of steps in a process. A Workflow is simply the sequence of steps in a process. A good Workflow… A good Workflow… Has each step properly building on the previous step, andHas each step properly building on the previous step, and Lays the foundation for the next step,Lays the foundation for the next step, So that you do not have to back track.So that you do not have to back track. Analog vs. Digital Workflows. Analog vs. Digital Workflows. (Commutative vs Non-Commutative Processes)(Commutative vs Non-Commutative Processes) What IS Workflow, Anyway? Instructor: N. David King

4. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Pre-ShootPre-Shoot CaptureCapture ConversionConversion Editing/RetouchingEditing/Retouching PrintingPrinting Display or DistributionDisplay or Distribution … Lets examine these phases, … Lets examine these phases, Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

5. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Pre-Shoot PhasePre-Shoot Phase Cleaning: Body, Sensor, & Lenses Cleaning: Body, Sensor, & Lenses Batteries Charged Batteries Charged Memory Cards Formatted and Ready Memory Cards Formatted and Ready All Other Equipment Cleaned and Checked All Other Equipment Cleaned and Checked Tripods and HeadsTripods and Heads Cases and BagsCases and Bags ClothingClothing Transportation Ready & Reliable Transportation Ready & Reliable Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

6. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Capture PhaseCapture Phase The 30-Second Stare… The 30-Second Stare… Previsualize and Analyze ScenePrevisualize and Analyze Scene What is the right equipment? What is the right equipment? What is the right scale for the image? What is the right scale for the image? General Camera Settings General Camera Settings ISOISO White BalanceWhite Balance ContrastContrast SaturationSaturation Sharpening in Camera (Canon v. Nikon)Sharpening in Camera (Canon v. Nikon)…Continued Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

7. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Capture Phase… ContinuedCapture Phase… Continued Special Camera Settings For… Special Camera Settings For… HDR (Auto Bracket or Manual)HDR (Auto Bracket or Manual) Mosaics and PanoramasMosaics and Panoramas Extended Depth of FieldExtended Depth of Field Exposure Decision: What is the main issue? Exposure Decision: What is the main issue? Depth of Field… or …Depth of Field… or … Motion relative to the cameraMotion relative to the camera Meter Meter (Handheld vs In-Camera)(Handheld vs In-Camera) Shoot! Shoot! Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

8. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Download & Conversion (Processing Phase) If you shot in RAWDownload & Conversion (Processing Phase) If you shot in RAW Transfer using Card Reader not Camera! Transfer using Card Reader not Camera! In Converter adjust as appropriate for the scene In Converter adjust as appropriate for the scene RAW Converters are not equally capableRAW Converters are not equally capable White BalanceWhite Balance Tonal/Gamma Tweak – Exposure v Brightness AdjustmentTonal/Gamma Tweak – Exposure v Brightness Adjustment Highlight RecoveryHighlight Recovery Color TweakColor Tweak Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

9. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Save As… Save As… Either TIFF or Photoshop PSD FormatEither TIFF or Photoshop PSD Format 16 Bit at 300 or 360 ppi16 Bit at 300 or 360 ppi sRGB or Adobe RGB or ProPhoto Color Space?sRGB or Adobe RGB or ProPhoto Color Space? Special Processing (i.e. for HDRI, Panoramas, Mosaics, extended Depth of Field images) issues for multiple files Special Processing (i.e. for HDRI, Panoramas, Mosaics, extended Depth of Field images) issues for multiple files Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

10. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Ah, The Editing Phase at last Ah, The Editing Phase at last BUT FIRST … BUT FIRST … A WARNING TO THE FAINT OF HEART… A WARNING TO THE FAINT OF HEART… YOU ARE ABOUT TO HEAR SOME HERETICAL IDEAS AND OPINIONS! YOU ARE ABOUT TO HEAR SOME HERETICAL IDEAS AND OPINIONS! Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

11. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase Sequence Overview Sequence Overview 1.Resolution Adjustment (if needed) 2.Crop if necessary (Optional) 3.Global Tonalities 4.Global Color 5.Area Specific Tonalities 6.Area Specific Color 7.Save File Lets look at each step in more detail Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

12. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase Resolution Adjustment (Optional) Resolution Adjustment (Optional) If you shot JPEG at 72ppi then before you do ANYTHING, increase resolution to at least printer resolution of 360 ppi for Epson and 300 ppi for everything else. And if you are needing to enlarge a small JPEG file, use an even higher ppi setting as you incrementally step up to the desired setting. Save As a TIFF or Photoshop file for editing to avoid loss due to repeated opens and saves. Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

13. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase Crop if necessary (Optional) Crop if necessary (Optional) If you are sure you need to crop out some extraneous material, do it now to reduce the file size for editing. Try to capture as much sensor real estate as possible but do not let the tool (the camera) become the artist and definer of your visual universe. If you do that then you need to turn in your artists badge and give it to the camera. Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

14. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase Decision time: Layering approaches (Destructive/Non destructive Approaches) Decision time: Layering approaches (Destructive/Non destructive Approaches) Pros and Cons of: Pros and Cons of: Non Destructive Editing/Adjustment Layers Versus…Non Destructive Editing/Adjustment Layers Versus… Keeping Layers to a minimumKeeping Layers to a minimum Genesis of my approach: very large files.Genesis of my approach: very large files. Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

15. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching Phase, Cont.Editing and Retouching Phase, Cont. Step One: Global Tonalities Step One: Global Tonalities 1.Use LEVELS to set the black and white points of your file. 1. Set generally or set for specific printer 2. Use CURVES to establish contrast and mid- range values. 1. Think Zone System Here to visualize Curves Function Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

16. Workflow in Digital Photography Workflow in Digital Photography Curves Use Based on Zone System Concepts Curves Use Based on Zone System Concepts Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X X IX VIII VII VI V iV III II I X IX VIII VII VI V iV III II I Paper White Lightest Area w/ Texture and Detail Middle (18%) Gray Darkest Area w/Texture and Detail Paper White Bottom X Axis: Incoming Tones (initial tones in File) Side Y Axis: Outgoing Tones (What You Want on final File)

17. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase Global Color Correction/Modification Global Color Correction/Modification 1.Use PHOTO FILTER to adjust overall color casts 2. Use HUE/SATURATION to adjust overall or specific color based on the color itself 3. Use COLOR BALANCE to adjust color based on the luminosity of the areas. Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

18. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase AREA SPECIFIC TONALITIES AREA SPECIFIC TONALITIES 1.Create Duplicate layer. 2.Make tonal corrections on the bottom layer. 3.Return to top layer 4.Use Layer Mask /Reveal All on top layer Black brush reveals bottom layer Black brush reveals bottom layer White Brush hides bottom layer White Brush hides bottom layer Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

19. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase AREA SPECIFIC COLOR ISSUES AREA SPECIFIC COLOR ISSUES 1.Create Duplicate layer. 2.Make color corrections on the bottom layer. 3.Return to top layer 4.Use Layer Mask /Reveal All on top layer Black brush reveals bottom layer Black brush reveals bottom layer White Brush hides bottom layer White Brush hides bottom layer Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

20. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Editing and Retouching PhaseEditing and Retouching Phase SAVE FILE SAVE FILE Save as Edited MasterSave as Edited Master This will be the file you use as the basis for all output files. This will be the file you use as the basis for all output files. Notice: we have NOT sharpened anything yet! Notice: we have NOT sharpened anything yet! We also have not changed the size yet! We also have not changed the size yet! Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

21. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Printing PhasePrinting Phase Open File and Size/Scale for Printing Open File and Size/Scale for Printing 1.Scaling software Genuine Fractals Genuine Fractals Q-Image Q-Image PhotoShop Incremental PhotoShop Incremental 2.Increase beyond printing size by 10% 3.Use Edge Sharpening Technique 4.Reduce back down to printing size 5.Color Space conversion if needed for printer 6.Print with Preview to properly profiled printer 7.Save as Printing Version with size/printer noted Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

22. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Computer/Web Use Output PhaseComputer/Web Use Output Phase Open File and Re-Size for Output Open File and Re-Size for Output Scale at high resolution to final size neededScale at high resolution to final size needed Usually if output is for web/email it is the pixel dimension that is important. Usually if output is for web/email it is the pixel dimension that is important. Sharpen at finished size using Edge SharpeningSharpen at finished size using Edge Sharpening Set mode to 8-bitSet mode to 8-bit Convert to sRGB Color SpaceConvert to sRGB Color Space Set PPI based on output needSet PPI based on output need Save As JPEGSave As JPEG Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

23. Workflow in Digital Photography Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Digital Workflow is Divided into Phases: Archiving PhaseArchiving Phase Save Files in multiple places Save Files in multiple places CDs/DVDsCDs/DVDs External DrivesExternal Drives On-Line StorageOn-Line Storage Internal DrivesInternal Drives Digital Workflow Phases Instructor: N. David King

24. Workflow in Digital Photography You can download a copy of this presentation as well as some workflow diagrams at:You can download a copy of this presentation as well as some workflow diagrams at: www.ndavidking.com www.ndavidking.comwww.ndavidking.com Digital Workflow Instructor: N. David King

25. Workflow in Digital Photography QUESTIONS? Digital Workflow Instructor: N. David King