Pixiq

Welcome to my first post on Pixiq!

Photography has been a lifelong passion.  In 1989 I moved out of the traditional darkroom and into the digital darkroom. I’ve spent the last 20 years working with hundreds of photographers from around the world. I’ve printed for the famous, the infamous and the not so famous. Not knowing when a client might change their mind reinforced the importance of a non-destructive workflow and taught me how to optimize images in an efficient and flexible manner.  A structured workflow is the missing element in many digital photographers optimization skills. Over the next few months I plan to cover Fine Art Digital Workflow as I know it. In the process you’ll pick up some great tips and techniques - but what I hope you’ll get out off this is a structured approach to better visualize and then optimize your images.

Workflow strategy is in a state of flux as most photographers move to RAW format. This shift necessitates the use of a RAW processor and adds a whole other element to the optimization process.  In a Fine Art Workflow I find that a combination of a RAW processor and an imaging software (Photoshop, GIMP, etc) generally produce the best results. Although most RAW processors have the capability to optimize and output an image none of them can compete with most imaging software’s precision and refinement abilities. As a result I find that at this point in the technology the best path is to apply the “heavy lifting” in your RAW processor and then to perform the final “polish” in your imaging software.

Your workflow must reflect your unique set of needs. Where a Fine Art Workflow leans heavily on imaging software a High Productivity Workflow may only involve a RAW Processor. Whatever your situation - sequence in optimization is important.

The Importance of a Proper Workflow

In the traditional darkroom workflow is critical. Without paying attention to proper formula, temperature, exposure and sequence creating a predictable print is near impossible. By following a careful workflow the myriad of variables can be harmoniously managed and an accurate print can be created.

Digital optimization requires the same attention to detail to create a predictable print. Ignoring proper sequence in digital optimization will unlikely share the same disastrous effect it would have in the darkroom but it can have an adverse affect on the final output and severely limit your future options. By creating a flexible workflow that reflects individual needs one can avoid unnecessary image degradation and insure the quality of data that goes to the printer. Another very important consequence of a non-destructive workflow is the ability to easily repurpose an image to take advantage of new papers, inks and print technology.

Important Considerations in Creating an Appropriate Workflow

General Recommendations – (Lightroom, Aperture, ACR & Photoshop)

• Determine a sense of your “destination” and work towards it.

• Adjust Exposure (Luminosity) before Color (Hue & Saturation)

• If you make separate adjustments to Color elements (Hue or Saturation) always adjust Hue (The “family” of Color) before Saturation (The ‘intensity” of Color)

• Sharpen as a last step.

Sequence of Considerations

Important: This list is a sequence of considerations only. They may not always apply to every image. (For instance you may not need to apply Noise Reduction but that should be considered early on in the optimization process.)

 • FOUNDATIONAL: Work on large problems first (Noise Reduction, Shadow & Highlight Adjustments)

 • GLOBAL: Make adjustments that affect the entire image.

 • REGIONAL: Make adjustments that are restricted to specific areas of your image.

 • LOCAL: Local adjustments use Calculated Layers or "painted in" adjustments on either a Composite Layer or a Blank Layer usually set to one of the Conditional Blend Modes (Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix)

 • COVER: These are effects that, by their nature, need to be at the top of the Layer Stack since they equally affect all elements of the optimized image. (i.e. a Vignette) 

Imaging Software Specific Recommendations (i.e. Photoshop) 

• Use Blend Modes to accurately target adjustments

         • Luminosity mode for tonal adjustments

         • Color mode for Color adjustments (Hue & Saturation)

         • Hue mode for specific Hue adjustments

         • Saturation mode for specific Saturation adjustments

• Don’t add another adjustment layer if an existing one can properly do the job

• Keep a well-annotated, organized Layer Stack

• Use Groups to organize adjustments and share masks

• Throw away unused masks

• Keep all pixel layers together at the bottom of your layer stack

• Always work in a non-destructive manner – keep your layer stack intact

Remember: Proper sharpening is a substrate and size dependent process—one size does not fit all!

Following a structured workflow will create consistency and efficiency in your work. It will provide the flexibility to revisit and adjust the optimization decisions without having to start over.

NEXT WEEK: Where to Start: A Sense of Destination