Newbie Needs a Workflow - Software Workflow that is

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LASTOLITE

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Bill
Edit My Images
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I have replied to another thread on the Nikon software Capture NX2 - But I am really unsure on the whole workflow.

I have used Photoshop LE - (That came with Premier years ago) - For resizing for video mainly, I have only just switched to digital SLR and I'm finding out there is much to learn - I am able to get my shots onto pc and I have used Photoshop LE for some crops and slight changes - But I know there is a shed load more to be had out of shooting RAW image files.

A software shopping list is what I am after and a bit of a standard work flow for starters to challenge me even more in this new found passion

So over to you - please be gentle:)

I should also say I am not doing this for a living:lol: and my main interests are Motorsport, Family, Kids shots and the odd bit of arty farty - not subject dependent


Thanks - Bill
 
We all have our favourite software.
I'd opt for PSE (7 or 8) assuming you don't want to spend a fortune on the full blown Photoshop.
There are freebies available, but PSE has a big following.
 
There was a thread on workflow a few days ago.

FWIW - My advice would be to download the trials of Photoshop Elements 8 and Lightroom 2 from Adobe and see how you get on with them. If you're on a Mac try the Aperture trial too. Lightroom and Aperture are both combined workflow and editing applications, whereas Elements (and the full version of Photoshop) are more powerful editing applications.

An other alternative if you want a premade workflow is www.d65.com.
 
If you are only doing a relatively small amount of work then you may find the cost of Lightroom and Aperture a bit excessive for your requirements. Although I must say that for image processing Lightrooms develop module is a joy to work with.

Although Lightroom is primarily designed for RAW files the latest versions of Elements will also handle RAW files. So you may be better off getting that and saving a lot of money.

As far as workflow is concerned it's not rocket science, it's really a just getting yourself organised. This does depend on what software you have but in essence it's not difficult.

First step I would suggest is to sort out how you store your images. My personal preference is to store by Year, then shoot and possibly an additional sub category if needed. This way it's simple to find those images you want fairly easily. I use Lightroom and still adopt this filing system as it works well and is useful in case I have a software failure. ( Touch wood none to date).

Now have a quick scan through your images and get rid of the real duff ones. NOW BACK UP.

Then you can go through and select the ones you want to work on. Output them to a similar directory structure as your input system ( You can find them easy that way, but use a Root folder labelled Output" or "Processed" to differentiate them from the RAW originals.

Don't delete the RAW files once you've processed the images. These are your digital negatives and should be kept as such.

Download the trial versions of the software to try them out, but to make the most of the 30 day trial periods download some tutorials first so you get the most out of the trials. I'd download and use one item at a time so you get reasonably familiar with it before trialling the next. That way you can evaluate which software is the best for you.
 
arclight, Craikeybaby and Chappers:thumbs:

thanks - I have downloaded some demos of software and I have just managed to get a copy of elements from a friend who now uses Photoshop - he also said elements is a great start -

Would I still need Capture NX2 for Raw file handling:( - OK I have re read the post - would lightroom handle my Nikon Raw files?

Thanks in advance...
 
Lightroom would handle it all. You would import into lightroom, and this would give you a filing system for your images, as well as great editing tools, you may not find the need to use photoshop half as much if at all!

Lightroom 3 is currently free on beta release, which will continue until release I think, and will give you plenty of time to decide if it is for you. May well be worth downloading, reading up some tutorials and having a play. Beats the Queens speech. that's for sure.

Also if you are on Mac check Aperture as well, Some (inc me) prefer it, some prefer lightroom. Horses for courses really.

PS. Welcome to the forum.
 
PS. Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

:thumbs:

This is a great resource! and friendly with it! - Good to know lightroom will do the job of Capture NX and give me some other features - download in progress as I type:)

Lots to learn - Yeah well better than HRH:lol: Not sure the missus will like me hiding in the bedroom on the pc though:nono: I may have to engage with other this year:wave:
 
Well due to lack of ram among other things this is like pulling teeth - I need to build a new pc to run this - Raw images are processor hungry and ram dependent - :lol: and I - My pc and I are not up to snuff:thumbsdown::bang: Looks like I will be hitting the Jan sales for PC componants. New thread for reccomendations:thumbs:
 
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