Part 1 - Exercise 2 - Your own Workflow 2
The aim of
this exercise is to devise a workflow for a specific shooting assignment – for
this exercise and unlike exercise 1 the assignment is unstructured and open
ended:
Key elements
of work flow are:
i) Number
of images is unpredictable, likely many
ii)
Lasts
a sufficient amount of time that you would want to review the images “and partially edit during the shoot”
I found this
last statement, in italics, particularly strange since I would never edit
images in the camera, I would always work on the RAW file using my post
processing software. However I am interpreting this statement in the course
work to mean reviewing the images and deleting definite non keepers.
Pre-Shoot Work Flow
I've reviewed
the workflow I used for exercise 1. I have planned an early evening landscape
shoot and because it was sunny decided to also take my infrared camera. As
there is no model involved I've removed the pre-shoot brief. For the main part
its almost the same as Exercise 1.
I think I am
fairly happy with this pre-shoot workflow at this stage and in practice of
following this twice. However I will as always remain flexible and adaptable as
I learn more.
Reviewing
this post shoot I was happy it works and its becoming good discipline that is
starting to become 2nd nature
Shoot Work Flow
I've adapted the Shoot workflow to reflect the
change in shoot location and adapted it as it’s unpredictable and open ended.
However shooting discipline still applies in terms of reviewing images mid
shoot e.g. check histogram, and image composition and sharpness.
Reviewing
this post shoot, though the shoot is less disciplined and open ended, shooting
discipline in terms of image review / histogram review is still valid and
essential. In fact what I did find was that there is more time to do this and I
only have to think about the camera and myself; this was different to Exercise
1 where I had a model to consider and pose. This time allowed for deletion of
definite non-keepers. I did complicate the shoot by using 2 camera’s, I've no
doubt this could become good practice for future opportunities where this may
be essential.
That said an open workflow for your shoot may mean that you don't know when you've finished e.g. there is no exit criteria / target to tell you that you have achieved what you set out to achieve.
I ended up in
total from both cameras 270 images split 50-50 between jpeg and RAW, so that’s
135 images after in camera file deletions
Post Shoot Work Flow
I've detailed below my Post Shoot Work Flow:
I've removed the card from the camera and used the card reader to import to the computer via Bridge.
Some screen shots of the images in Bridge:
**This is a new element now to be added to my workflow** :
Looking through the images I've then deleted approximately half because:
i) I've thought the images not the quality I want
ii) Compostion issues that cant be rectified during post processing
iii) Obvious exposure issues
iv) IR images that reveal unappealing hot spots in the lens
I've applied a star rating to my images:
I wont process all the images but will process some of the better (in my opinion of course) images.
For the purpose of this exercise I will process 2 images continuing my workflow.
My first selected image to process I've opened the RAW file in Camera RAW and initially adjusted:
- Exposure - the image was a bit under exposed
- Contrast
- Shadows
I've then opened the file properly in CS6 and saved the images a PSD file
I've then:
- cropped the image, removing empty areas such as sky and grass from top and bottom of image
- adjust levels by moving the left hand slider slightly right
- sharpened the image using unsharp mask
- File size amended by making the longest length 1000 pixels
Saved the image as a jpeg at a small enough size to upload to my blog:
My second image I've opened the RAW file in Camera RAW and:
- adjusted the exposure to lighten the image slightly
I've then opened the image in CS6 and:
- slightly adjusted the levels bringing the third slider further in to align to the right of the histogram and slightly lighten the image a bit more
- sharpened the image using unsharp mask
- cropped the image removing some of the sky from the top where it appeared a bit wasted and distracted from the image
- Cloned out some bird droppings from the stone
- File size amended by making the longest length 1000 pixels
Saved the image as a jpeg at a small enough size to upload to my blog:
This image was taken a bit later than the one above and my intention was to create an almost candle type effect with the sun at the top of the stone
Exercise Learnings
a) Thinking through the workflow like this has now resulted in much thinking so much more about what I want to do at the shoot and be prepared. Whilst there should be the ability to take advantage of elements or change tack for whatever reasons may occur its important to start with a plan of what you want to achieve. This in turn helps ensure the right equipment has been taken
b) As part of the post processing I have this time used Bridge to greater effect tagging the images, deleting poor images and grading the images via the star system. This is something that I very much wanting to get into good habits and doing it religiously - this will be a change from what I used to do
c) I think there is nmore I need to learn about post processing and I think I need a better and more informed basic process. I will read up on this so that I can improve this aspect
d) I've never before thought about workflow in such a precise way but its just as important as the effort in taking the image.
e) I will print off my workflows and use these as reminder guides. I've no doubt I will adjust and add to this as I progress
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