Understanding workflow

The reality of the situation is (was) that I never really thought of creating a workflow for processing/managing my photographs. Bear in mind that as a film photographer I shot reels of film that I never sent for development. The principle reason for moving to digital was so that I could easily and immediately see the photographs on the screen.

For the first couple of years of having my digital camera I only used the software that came with the camera. It wasn't until I enrolled on a digital imaging course (C&G Level 1), at my local college, that I progressed to Elements and that came 'free' with the course. Whilst this was a gigantic step forward, with the exception of a little bit of cloning and creating some very basic collages (part of the course), I did very little processing. My workflow: take photograph; copy from card to pc; open in Elements; flick through photographs; select any I liked; auto smart fix; save, print. Long live "Auto Smart Fix".

Last year when working on the projects in TAOP I applied a degree of focus, but it couldn't honestly be called a workflow. But for the first time I actually started to delete photographs that were bad.

For exercise 1, because I did not have a workflow my first recourse was to the web. Unsurprisingly this turned up millions of workflow solutions, some of which were insightful. Listed below are a few helpful sites (in my opinion!), they range from basic to very detailed: -

            The Photoshop CS Digital Photo Workflow by Jeff Schewe

                        can be found here



Photoshop CS example worklow - presented by Jeff Schewe



            Develop an efficient photo workflow by Steve Paxton

                        can be found here

            Digital Photo Workflow: Post Processing

                        can be found here

            Fine Art Photography Workflow by Michael Ezra

                        can by found here

The basic elements of all workflows are the same, as per the description in the DPP file. The variation lies in the way individual photographers carry out first and second cut digital processing. Debates: -

Ø         How much or little to do in RAW?

Ø         Which file format to save/store images?

Ø         Levels or curves? Both, in which order?

Ø         How and when to name/caption photographs?

Ø         Contact sheets or not?

Ø         Final method for archival storage?

Aims during this module

In no particular order: -

1. Use the OCA website better.

During my first module I found the forums invaluable in terms of information and ideas. One of the most comforting things was that my queries and concerns were already being discussed in great detail, and whilst there were not always concrete answers there were always loads of ideas to be going on with. I say comforting because my doubts and insecurities seemed to be shared by a good proportion of the student population.

Historically, I have been a forum/blog lurker. This year, with module one under my belt and some hopefully interesting experiences to share, I intend to contribute.

New year, new module, new me!

2. Upload my assignment photographs from TAOP, plus the feedback from my tutor.

When I was doing the first module I found other peoples assignment photographs:

Ø         Creative and inspirational - always

Ø         Different to mine - frequently

Ø         Constructively challenging to my view point - regularly

Ø         Intimidating by the quality - often

Ø         Puddled - once

I thought adding the feedback from my tutor would also be helpful to anybody that viewed my photographs, it was certainly helpful to me. Reading the feedback enabled me to better understand what my photographs communicated to 'the outside world'.

3. Set up a blog

Log books, learning logs, etc - this was undoubtedly the most difficult part of the course for me. I desperately just wanted somebody to tell me how and what do. For TAOP I tried 4 different styles of learning log; having reached the end of the course I submitted two - a scrap book and a pocket book.

The concept behind my scrap book: -

a.       Originally I included all of my project work, but the forums said that was not necessary - plus even I found it boring. So I included some photographs taken for some of the projects.

b.      I included 'corrections' of some of my assignment photographs - as per my tutors feedback.

c.       I included photographs of professional photographers that I like

d.      I included some of my photographs that I like, but they do not specifically relate to projects or assignments - they're just my photographs

The concept behind my pocket book: -

a.       To show how I approach things/exercises

b.      Some of my thought processes

c.       Places/websites I visited, books/magazines I read

With regards my logs, I think the pocket book is probably the most useful because it's the most immediate. It travels almost everywhere with me - work, walks, galleries, holiday. The scrap book evolved because I wanted to communicate some of my thoughts in a more presentable way.

Reflecting on this evolution, I don't think any of the logs were wrong/incorrect - I made the changes because I was trying to understand what the college wanted. It was never about the college, it was about me understanding me.

Having decided to write a blog this year, I have already started making notes in my little OCA black n' red (pocket book), plus I have also purchased a new scrap book for my photographs. This is my first blog and I have no idea how it will evolve during this module.

4. Put more structure into my study

On the last module I tended to work in fits and starts, this resulted in a couple of my assignments being done on holiday and making things unnecessarily stressful. Also at one point, about half way through the course, I really lost my motivation and didn't pick up my camera for about a month.

Interestingly enough I think the first projects in DPP regarding workflow will help in providing some of the structure I need.