Editing Process Checklist

[boccers_2000]

Hi Guys,

I use Elements 9 to post process images but i was wondering if there was a certain way to go about the process of editing an image?

I can appreciate that not all photos will need everything done to them but is there a certain way of going about the process (ie straighten first, then crop, then brightness/contract etc).

As things stand (and on the basis an image needed most things done to it) I usually go about it as follows:

1 - Straighten
2 - Crop
3 - Adjust highlights/midtones
4 - Brightness/contrast
5 - Adjust levels
6 - Enhance Colours
7 - Remove blemishes (clone/healing brush)
8 - Sharpen

I guess I have done things this way as its generally the way Elements places things from top to bottom in the guided edit.

I can appreciate this may be quite a subjective thing (ie different strokes for different folks) but perhaps there is a way to give the picture the best chance or any faux pas' (ie cropping last).

Cheers

 

[arad85]

Have to say the first thing I do (I shoot RAW) is apply lens correction and apply an appropriate Camera Profile. Second tends to be white balance - then the things you mention - probably in that order.

 

[boccers_2000]

Have to say the first thing I do (I shoot RAW) is apply lens correction and apply an appropriate Camera Profile. Second tends to be white balance - then the things you mention - probably in that order.

When you say apply lens correction and an appropriate camera profile, how do you do that?

I should say I shoot RAW too.

I thought I would only apply lens correction if there was an issue with the image (such as squint building or something). No idea about the Camera Profile point though. What are the benefits of that?

As for white balance well isnt that the same as temperature? If so then I deal with that when the file is initially imported into elements (ie when you have the image convertor that deals with temperature, tint, recovery etc) before editing further in elements

 

[arad85]

When you say apply lens correction and an appropriate camera profile, how do you do that?

Not sure of how you apply the profile in Elements (I use lightroom) but a quick google suggests it is there. It is part of Camera Raw, so will probably be available on the first set of imports somewhere (if I understand Elements correctly).

I should say I shoot RAW too.

I thought I would only apply lens correction if there was an issue with the image (such as squint building or something).

There's always some geometric distortion plus it also helps with vignetting. Try applying it to images that you think are fine and see what you think.

No idea about the Camera Profile point though. What are the benefits of that?

Whilst this link: http://photo.andysheen.co.uk/technical/lightroom-raw-vs-dpp-raw-processing/ is about comparing Lightroom and DPP, it has quite a bit on Camera profiles.