What's YOUR CS3 workflow look like? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Ciotti · 09-18-2008, 07:21 PM

I'm always looking to refine my workflow in CS3 to cut down on the amount of time I spend in post when I come home with a 4 gig card full of shots. I only process for my own galleries on the web so speed is key.

Currently I open a window with all the pics and use OS 10.5's quick view option (I hit the space bar) to pull up each pic full screen and I start arrow key downing through them to find the bad shots and trash them. I've found this to be the fastest way to get rid of all the bad shots as it's lightning quick between pics and displays them full screen.

I then fire up Bridge and open up 15 - 20 pics at a time in camera raw. I only process for the web so I can achieve %99 of what I need to do within camera raw with exposure, recovery, fill light, and contrast. For the record, these are all non destructive adjustments and I just go through spending only a minute or so on each shot adjusting those parameters. Sometimes I'll dial in some clarity and vibrance as well, it depends on the shoot.

Once I'm done with the camera raw adjustments to all of the pics, I'll open them up in Photoshop. If there was any serious work that needed to be done to any of the pics I will do it but usually I can not go straight to my batch process. In the batch process I tell it to do an automated action which sharpens, resizes, and adds my Ciotti Industries signature. I tell the batch to rename the pics and serialize them starting at 1 so that I get pics named meet1, meet2, meet3, etc... and save them.

When I launch that batch process, all I have to do it hit return each time the save as window pops up, it completes the automated process and then pops up the save as window with the new file name, hitting return once saves it as a jpg to the right place and then the second window pops up asking me the quality settings where I hit return again. So on and so forth...

I wish I could eliminate the need to hit return over and over again at that point but I haven't been able to figure out a way to without overwriting the original pictures

How does that workflow sound to you guys? Can you think of any other efficiencies that I may have missed?

I figured out this flow from trial and error as well as "Scott Kelby's 7-Point System" and "Adobe Photoshop CS3 one-on-one" by Deke McClelland.

grimm · 09-18-2008, 08:16 PM

i use lightroom for my importing, processing and exporting to .jpg at a manageable size. Thats basically all I do. I then use jalbum to create the web size versions and thumbnails, and create the code for the web gallery. Which i then copy out of their pages and paste into my own. then I'm finally fully finished.

I don't have CS3, i only have CS2.

Chris_PA · 09-18-2008, 08:29 PM

LR easily cut my workflow time in half

After I back everything up it goes something like this:
-Import
-Edit
-Process
-Export to web or CS3 if I need to manipulate
-Sync the folder and call it a day

howielong · 09-18-2008, 10:22 PM

-Import RAW file(s) to computer
-Covert Raw file to Tiff or Jpeg with Capture NX to persevere adjustments in camera
-Open Adobe bridge to look at file
-Then open wanted image in CS3 and edit
-Save As .PSD, Then save for web as a high quality Jpeg
-Upload to internet
-Then usually delete the .Tiff files, while keeping .PSD and Web Jpeg as back up along with unedited Raw file.

Probably over kill but its what I do, but if its a image I'm just randomly posting up I'll skip all that and open it in CS3 and do quick adjustments and save for web, no need for me to put it on the PC when only a few people will see it for a short time.

Ciotti · 09-19-2008, 12:26 AM

How is Lightroom saving you guys time over Bridge? When I installed Lightroom I was not impressed, I think I didn't like that it doesn't interface directly with Camera raw, but I could be a bit off there, it was a while ago.

grimm · 09-19-2008, 08:08 AM

I have never used bridge to edit photos, not sure if C2 bridge has that feature, so for me bridge is just a previewer to open files.

Lightroom can download the images from your camera, to a specified folder and rename them in various custom configurations, depending on your preference. You can also add meta data to the images like copyright info, etc etc. If you then click on the develop tab, you have all the adjustment tools from photoshop to post process the image. While editing them you can then also flag or rate the images you like so when all is said and done you can quickly filter out the bad photos and export only the ones you like. You can also specify a re-size and custom renaming upon the batch export.

Also in lightroom you can save user presets for editing, so for instance if you do a shoot and notice your white balance was off. You can edit the 1st photo and correct the mistake, and then save those settings, and apply them to the other images. (it's like photoshops actions)

Since I don't have cs3 my previous workflow started with downloading images from the camera into a folder, then using adobe's DNG converter to covert the cr2 files to dng so i can then begin to edit them. Lightroom allows me to skip that step and I can edit the canon raw files immediately.

Ciotti · 09-19-2008, 09:13 AM

Ok, Bridge does all of that you just mentioned as well so at least I'm not missing anything by using it

I remember not liking the layout of Lightroom compared to Bridge but I have a feeling I was just used to Bridge and didn't want to make a change for no reason.

Anyone else? I know there are more guys out there that shoot a TON of pictures and then rip through them in post, share your time saving secrets dammit!

sisforsurfing · 09-19-2008, 09:58 AM

I love Lightroom. It's everything you need for processing photos with exception of making composites, and it's cut my editing time down pretty significantly. Most people that give it time seem to like it, but some still don't. It has everything that Camera RAW does, and when you're only applying basic edits to batches it is very quick and easy.

I:
Import
Flag pictures as good or bad, filter out bad
Edit
Batch export keepers
Done

09-18-2008, 07:21 PM	#1
Ciotti Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: is everything (Cherry Hill) Member #8225 My Ride: 96' Cobra Vert iTrader: (0)	What's YOUR CS3 workflow look like? I'm always looking to refine my workflow in CS3 to cut down on the amount of time I spend in post when I come home with a 4 gig card full of shots. I only process for my own galleries on the web so speed is key. Currently I open a window with all the pics and use OS 10.5's quick view option (I hit the space bar) to pull up each pic full screen and I start arrow key downing through them to find the bad shots and trash them. I've found this to be the fastest way to get rid of all the bad shots as it's lightning quick between pics and displays them full screen. I then fire up Bridge and open up 15 - 20 pics at a time in camera raw. I only process for the web so I can achieve %99 of what I need to do within camera raw with exposure, recovery, fill light, and contrast. For the record, these are all non destructive adjustments and I just go through spending only a minute or so on each shot adjusting those parameters. Sometimes I'll dial in some clarity and vibrance as well, it depends on the shoot. Once I'm done with the camera raw adjustments to all of the pics, I'll open them up in Photoshop. If there was any serious work that needed to be done to any of the pics I will do it but usually I can not go straight to my batch process. In the batch process I tell it to do an automated action which sharpens, resizes, and adds my Ciotti Industries signature. I tell the batch to rename the pics and serialize them starting at 1 so that I get pics named meet1, meet2, meet3, etc... and save them. When I launch that batch process, all I have to do it hit return each time the save as window pops up, it completes the automated process and then pops up the save as window with the new file name, hitting return once saves it as a jpg to the right place and then the second window pops up asking me the quality settings where I hit return again. So on and so forth... I wish I could eliminate the need to hit return over and over again at that point but I haven't been able to figure out a way to without overwriting the original pictures How does that workflow sound to you guys? Can you think of any other efficiencies that I may have missed? I figured out this flow from trial and error as well as "Scott Kelby's 7-Point System" and "Adobe Photoshop CS3 one-on-one" by Deke McClelland. __________________ Ciotti Industries: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. 8 reps for your driver mod muscles To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. When something has foibles and won't handle perfectly, that gives it a particularly human quality as it makes mistakes. That's how we can build a relationship with a car that other people just won't get - Jeremy Clarkson Last edited by Ciotti; 09-18-2008 at 08:05 PM.

09-18-2008, 08:16 PM	#2
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	i use lightroom for my importing, processing and exporting to .jpg at a manageable size. Thats basically all I do. I then use jalbum to create the web size versions and thumbnails, and create the code for the web gallery. Which i then copy out of their pages and paste into my own. then I'm finally fully finished. I don't have CS3, i only have CS2. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

09-18-2008, 08:29 PM	#3
Chris_PA Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Chester Member #1541 My Ride: 02 Exploder iTrader: (0)	LR easily cut my workflow time in half After I back everything up it goes something like this: -Import -Edit -Process -Export to web or CS3 if I need to manipulate -Sync the folder and call it a day __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

09-18-2008, 10:22 PM	#4
howielong Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Langhorne, PA Member #586 My Ride: Grandpa Cruiser iTrader: (0)	-Import RAW file(s) to computer -Covert Raw file to Tiff or Jpeg with Capture NX to persevere adjustments in camera -Open Adobe bridge to look at file -Then open wanted image in CS3 and edit -Save As .PSD, Then save for web as a high quality Jpeg -Upload to internet -Then usually delete the .Tiff files, while keeping .PSD and Web Jpeg as back up along with unedited Raw file. Probably over kill but its what I do, but if its a image I'm just randomly posting up I'll skip all that and open it in CS3 and do quick adjustments and save for web, no need for me to put it on the PC when only a few people will see it for a short time. __________________ I drive the grand kids around *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

09-19-2008, 12:26 AM	#5
Ciotti Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: is everything (Cherry Hill) Member #8225 My Ride: 96' Cobra Vert iTrader: (0)	How is Lightroom saving you guys time over Bridge? When I installed Lightroom I was not impressed, I think I didn't like that it doesn't interface directly with Camera raw, but I could be a bit off there, it was a while ago. __________________ Ciotti Industries: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. 8 reps for your driver mod muscles To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. When something has foibles and won't handle perfectly, that gives it a particularly human quality as it makes mistakes. That's how we can build a relationship with a car that other people just won't get - Jeremy Clarkson

09-19-2008, 08:08 AM	#6
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	I have never used bridge to edit photos, not sure if C2 bridge has that feature, so for me bridge is just a previewer to open files. Lightroom can download the images from your camera, to a specified folder and rename them in various custom configurations, depending on your preference. You can also add meta data to the images like copyright info, etc etc. If you then click on the develop tab, you have all the adjustment tools from photoshop to post process the image. While editing them you can then also flag or rate the images you like so when all is said and done you can quickly filter out the bad photos and export only the ones you like. You can also specify a re-size and custom renaming upon the batch export. Also in lightroom you can save user presets for editing, so for instance if you do a shoot and notice your white balance was off. You can edit the 1st photo and correct the mistake, and then save those settings, and apply them to the other images. (it's like photoshops actions) Since I don't have cs3 my previous workflow started with downloading images from the camera into a folder, then using adobe's DNG converter to covert the cr2 files to dng so i can then begin to edit them. Lightroom allows me to skip that step and I can edit the canon raw files immediately. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

09-19-2008, 09:13 AM	#7
Ciotti Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: is everything (Cherry Hill) Member #8225 My Ride: 96' Cobra Vert iTrader: (0)	Ok, Bridge does all of that you just mentioned as well so at least I'm not missing anything by using it I remember not liking the layout of Lightroom compared to Bridge but I have a feeling I was just used to Bridge and didn't want to make a change for no reason. Anyone else? I know there are more guys out there that shoot a TON of pictures and then rip through them in post, share your time saving secrets dammit! __________________ Ciotti Industries: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. 8 reps for your driver mod muscles To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. When something has foibles and won't handle perfectly, that gives it a particularly human quality as it makes mistakes. That's how we can build a relationship with a car that other people just won't get - Jeremy Clarkson

09-19-2008, 09:58 AM	#8
sisforsurfing Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Member #267 My Ride: 2003 WRX wagon iTrader: (2)	I love Lightroom. It's everything you need for processing photos with exception of making composites, and it's cut my editing time down pretty significantly. Most people that give it time seem to like it, but some still don't. It has everything that Camera RAW does, and when you're only applying basic edits to batches it is very quick and easy. I: Import Flag pictures as good or bad, filter out bad Edit Batch export keepers Done __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Describe your workflow.	james_ls	Photography	8	08-13-2009 03:25 PM