Speeding Up Workflow

Ukkor

Ukkor

Suspended / Banned
Messages
333
Name
David
Edit My Images
Yes
Well it has been an awfully long time since I posted on here (still dislike my user name though!) so hello everyone! Lots of names I do not recognise.

I am looking for some advice to help speed up my workflow when processing images, especially now I am getting a bit more work through the Non-League paper.

At the moment my workflow is something like this (and has been for the past 2 years or so)-

  1. Take Photos off Memory Card
  2. Crop/Straighten in Lightroom (3)
  3. Contrast/Sharpen in Photoshop Elements 10
  4. Rename/Resize in Faststone
  5. Upload to Email + Send

Personally I think I need to get a better process going before I can progress much further as it really is quite slow. This is not helped by having a pretty poor Windows Laptop. So does anybody have any advice or suggest any programmes that can help speed the process up a bit? I have never had to deal with a paper who uses FTP yet however I am supposed to be having a trial with an agency in the near future and they do use FTP so this could be something to bear in mind.

Having said that I really need to upgrade my equipment before the agency will look at me as at the moment I am really stuck with 1 x 1DMKIII with a 300mm 2.8, a 70-200 2.8 and a 40D which I have not touched in ages. So any advice on how to magic some money? :P

Any help would be appreciated and I am confident you guys know what you are talking about as you have this form helped me progress from taking photos like this:-

IMG_3812.jpg


to this:-

19127_477764802282760_1274712950_n.jpg
 
Me personally

Take off card
View in XNView with large thumbnails
Select ones to edit and open in Elements 9
Crop, caption and resize in Elements 9 (Import all meta data by a pre prepared XMP file)
Attach to pre prepared emails and send
Send via FTP
 
You can use Lightroom for every thing but ftp.

Check out tobers website, he got a good blog on lightroom workflow

Why dont you sharpen/contrast in lightroom after you crop, Caption in library mode, then export (rename/resize there) to a folder, then ftp.
I use filezilla or cyberduck to ftp
 
Last edited:
Wouldnt worry about being "stuck with a 1D3 + 300 2.8." Thats what i use with no problems.

My workflow is..

-Import locked images into Photomechanic
-Choose set images to edit & mark with a colour class when done so to avoid duplications, and then open in PS CS6
-Crop, sharpen, caption and save.
-Drop on FTP server.

May sound abit longer than others, but when your used to it you can get images away very quickly.
 
pope said:
You can use Lightroom for every thing but ftp.

Check out tobers website, he got a good blog on lightroom workflow

Why dont you sharpen/contrast in lightroom after you crop, Caption in library mode, then export (rename/resize there) to a folder, then ftp.
I use filezilla or cyberduck to ftp
Click to expand...

As Pope said. You can do everything in Lightroom - there are a few plugins/utilities that can help speed things up even more with LR.

I use LR, the copy utility Tobers recommended for copying locked images and Text Expander for helping with captioning. I use Transmit for FTP but I believe there's a LR plugin for this but I'm sticking with an external FTP client for now.

Dave
 
Having said that I really need to upgrade my equipment before the agency will look at me as at the moment I am really stuck with 1 x 1DMKIII with a 300mm 2.8, a 70-200 2.8 and a 40D which I have not touched in ages. So any advice on how to magic some money? :P
Click to expand...

That seems OK. You've got 2x2.8 lenses which are much the same as everyone else uses. Getty etc might have moved on to 1DXs but a lot of guys who buy their own gear still use MKIIIs. Perhaps the 40D is limited in terms of fps and ISO whilst it's not ideal I would have thought it was adequate.

Have you thought about a 7D as a second body?
 
Last edited:
pope said:
You can use Lightroom for every thing but ftp.
Click to expand...

You can FTP directly from Lightroom.

Don't muck about with paid for plugins...

if you download the SDK from the Adobe website, there's an official FTP plugin contained in it.


In fact it's so good that someone's put their own brand on it and is charging for the pleasure of using it! :)
 
Last edited:
I have a smart collection setup to cthe olour red, i have export presets done to several requirements so my workflow is:
Import from SD card
In library mode inspect and colour red images that are keepers
go to colour red smart collection
crop, exposure touch up etc
if ive over exposed or got white balance just off i adjust one then sync the changes to the rest
then export using an export pre-set relevant to the needs (image size and watermarking etc)

dont use the FTP because no-one likes my photos LOL
 
Last edited:
Do steps 1-4 in Lightroom - that will speed things up.
 
if you are getting games from the non-league paper why do you need to work for an agency?
 
blue marlin said:
if you are getting games from the non-league paper why do you need to work for an agency?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the pay is rather measly from what ive heard..? May be wrong though..

Im surprised any agency has said no regarding your kit, it could do the job. What id be tempted to do is.. Use the 300 on the 40D, IMO it seems the centre of pitch is better lit than the corners so you wouldnt have to shoot at as high iso. Then have the 70-200 on the 1D3 for your in the box goals/celes etc. Better AF/Noise/FPS and 9 times out of 10 the goals and celebrations are more important to catch than action in the middle of the field.
 
Last edited:
Wow, thank you for all the responses. Somethings don't change and this forum is still as helpful as ever :) Certainly alot to try out so will give them a go :)

With regards to the equipment side of things. I love the lenses and the 1D and the lenses, I just cannot seem to connect with the 40D any more. Since I started the 1D I just don't want to go back! (sound like i dont appreciate what I have but I do!).

The agency I am arranging a trial with have stated that they would happily give me the trial with the equipment I currently have however if I was to start working for them they would "prefer" me upgrade the 40D. There is a noticeable difference in quality between the 1D and the 40D so can assume that is part of the reasoning, especially in Low light. The idea of using the 300mm on the 40D is something I will have to try again as well.

With regards to why I want to be with an agency, it is simply so I can achieve one of my goals of photographing in the football league and then look to persue my own licence in the future. With regards to the NLP pay, well it is perfectly fair (imo) and I have a good relationship with them which to me is more important than the pay.

Thanks for all your help again though guys :)
 
My workflow is:
Download everything from cards.
Colour code in PM so I know what I want to send.
Caption/crop save then send by ftp or email.

The reason I download all is habit from the old days when I used to send lots of stock after the game. Also one agency I worked for asked for a CD with all original images.

BTW working on commission for the NLP can be better than shooting on spec for agencies although you wont get a game every week from the NLP.
 
snapzz said:
My workflow is:
Download everything from cards.
Colour code in PM so I know what I want to send.
Caption/crop save then send by ftp or email.

The reason I download all is habit from the old days when I used to send lots of stock after the game. Also one agency I worked for asked for a CD with all original images.

BTW working on commission for the NLP can be better than shooting on spec for agencies although you wont get a game every week from the NLP.
Click to expand...

You didn't happen to be a the Grimsby game on Saturday did you? As that's where I was!

Seem to be getting a lot for the NLP at the moment so can't complain. Normally a I travel round with Boston and the local papers pick the images up from there. Saturday was the first non boston game I have covered for the NLP as well.

I downloaded everything from my memory card to e laptop at Saturday's game and it nearly cost me the lot! Lightroom decided to go on a go slow which nearly made me miss the deadline! I will keep experimenting though :)

Oh and to whoever mentioned about sticking the 300mm on the 40D..... Thank you. I was reminded at e weekend as to what a capable camera 40D is!
 
Last edited:
Ukkor said:
You didn't happen to be a the Grimsby game on Saturday did you? As that's where I was!
Click to expand...

No they did ask me but I was covering a three day ice skating championship at Sheffield. I do usually cover Grimsby for them. I'm also away when they play Kidderminster so you may get the call for that too :thumbs:
 
Mr. Fish said:
Pretty sure the pay is rather measly from what ive heard..? May be wrong though..
Click to expand...

Rob,
I think, what Blue Merlin is getting at is if he is aquiring regular usages from the none league stuff he can build up his own portfolio of images to aquire his own league licence, (15 images for championship & below), which would mean 100% payment to himself?. correct me if I'm wrong blue!
 
Bluesman graham said:
Rob,
I think, what Blue Merlin is getting at is if he is aquiring regular usages from the none league stuff he can build up his own portfolio of images to aquire his own league licence, (15 images for championship & below), which would mean 100% payment to himself?. correct me if I'm wrong blue!
Click to expand...

My understanding was if your getting commissioned games (paid) from NLP why work on spec (usage paid only) for an agency.

But then I may be wrong :shrug:
 
probably both are true Graham!, but commissioned NLP work can lead to a league license if so desired!
 
snapzz said:
No they did ask me but I was covering a three day ice skating championship at Sheffield. I do usually cover Grimsby for them. I'm also away when they play Kidderminster so you may get the call for that too :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Ahhhh yes I did get asked to cover that game too! couldn't do that one though as the team I normally cover decided to appoint a new manager and locals already asked me to cover that, safe to say I was gutted! Will hopefully see you there one day!
 
Bluesman graham said:
Rob,
I think, what Blue Merlin is getting at is if he is aquiring regular usages from the none league stuff he can build up his own portfolio of images to aquire his own league licence, (15 images for championship & below), which would mean 100% payment to himself?. correct me if I'm wrong blue!
Click to expand...

In the long run...... This is the plan! One day......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top