PP Tutorials

[sambonebs]

I've been into this photography lark for about 9 months. I started on a 400D and I've just got a 40D. I always shoot in Manual and RAW.

Now, I feel that my images are mostly composed and exposed correctly, but I feel I'm really letting myself down with my PP skills.

I've got Lightroom (which I use at the moment), CS3 (which I use for an images that need any actual touching up) and I've just downloaded Capture One LE (Sandisk Promo). I just feel that my images lack that "Wow" factor and I'm looking for a few guides or pointers for what I should and shouldn't be doing. I can't post any example images at the moment as I'm at the GF's house on her laptop.

Before anyone asks, here's a quick run down of my current workflow:

1. Import images from CF into Lightroom. Folders are named as follows: Client Name/Job Reference and Date/Location.

2. I usually apply the Sharpen develop preset at this point, and tag the images with Keywords. I don't tag with Metadata - should I?

3. Then I'll go through all the photos and mark unsuitable photos for rejection, then delete them from disk.

4. Next I work through each image in the filmstrip, cropping and aligning as needed.

5. Then I'll return to the first image and work through them again tweaking exposure, recovery and blacks along with saturation and contrast. At this point I'll make virtual copies of any images I want to do B/W or unusual versions of and perform the conversion.

6. Finally I'll output the images in whatever format has been agreed with the client.

People, HELP!

 

[fraggle101]

Blimey!! i wish i could be that organised!!

 

[Chappers]

Workflow looks OK except i wouldn't apply sharpening until you've done all the corrections.

I don't bother with meta data as it's not always readable by other applications. Plus you are doing most of the work in LR which keeps track of your settings for you anyway.

I don't know what your images are lacking, but try adding a small amount of Clarity and a increase the Vibrancy. Don't go over the top with these controls,but they will add something to the images.

The fact you use recovery is a little worrying as it seems that you may be loosing highlight detail. I wouldn't normally use that slider except in extreme cases. Try pegging the highlights at the right level for you, with exposure, and if the mid tones look a bit to solid, open them up with the fill light option. I'd also try and use the tone curve control rather than contrast.I believe it gives better control over the image.

There is also one other control that many users of LR are unaware of. If you go to the tone control panel, at the top right is a small circle icon. It's not there for decoration it actually does something. Click on it and you'll see an up and down arrow appear. Drag this to the image, and where you click it will change that area when you move the mouse up or down .To disengage simply go back to the tone curve and click on the icon.