Step-by-step image editing process
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| Screen capture from PS Bridge |
Step 1 - technical edit
Initially I quickly review all of the images full-size on the pc screen, sifting out any that are not up to scratch. Once the process is completed I check these 'rejected' images just in case I've binned a good one by mistake. After I'm sure they are all bad - I delete all of the RAW files; however, if I like one of these images and wish to try it again I save it as a JPEG. This allows me to print is as a thumbnail for my pocket book next time I visit the location.
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| Contact sheet made up of rejects |
Step 2 - the selects
For the remaining sifts I use the star rating to 'judge' the images making it easy to change my mind and either upgrade or downgrade the photograph. For this second sift I allocate all images with a rating - this is arbitrary on the first run through, but second time around having inspected everything the rating is better balanced and more accurate. At this stage the 1 and 2 star images are filtered out, checked and then 'rejected' (rather than deleted). Normally, at the end of the editing process these images will be deleted - RAW and JPEG.
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| Top section - drop down menu for star ratings Bottom section - information panel showing rating statistics |
Step 3 - the first selects
The remaining photographs are then reviewed again and given their final rating, anything with 5 stars will be moved to a final image folder for further processing. During this review some of the photographs are opened in RAW and 'auto' adjusted to confirm, or otherwise, their potential in terms of the final image.
Images with a rating of 3 and 4 stars remain in RAW format and are renamed and tagged before being filed.
Step 4 - group and review
Rather than grouping and reviewing, for me, this step is more about creating order and flow within the set of selected images. Ensuring that there is harmony and that the viewer will be able to move from one image to next without flipping backwards because something is missing.
Step 5 - final selection
Finally, I return to the brief and re-read it. This is to ensure the final selection of images delivers the brief, any that are not 100% relevant are removed. Now I choose the best photographs.
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| Tyne Bridge |
I selected this photograph because of the: -
Ø Off-centre framing of the bridge
Ø Semi-silhouette of the bridge shot into the sun
Ø Lens flare
Ø White foam from the wake of the boat
Ø Sky and the clouds
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| Priory Reflection |
I shot this photograph of the Priory in the window of the downstairs cabin on the boat and selected it because: -
Ø The Priory works well as a reflection
Ø I like the people sitting on the RHS and the shapes of the people standing in the doorway on the LHS
Ø The position of the fluorescent lighting in the sky is surreal
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With regards to the question I raised in an earlier post - what should I do with the JPEG's?
I have decided that until all of my image processing work is completed for a particular project I will keep the JPEG files - a kind of security blanket.
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