processing system

Thursday, September 13, 2007

While processing Saturday's photo session, I finally feel like I have a system of my own. It starts with uploading all of the pictures to my computer, of course. I start processing the RAW files usually immediately because I'm so excited. I click through every picture and process any that I think I may want as a final. For example, I shot 162 pictures at the last session. I processed 72 of those. Once I'm happy with that, I go back through and delete any that I know I don't want to include. Maybe something that looks slightly out of focus or the smile looks too forced... Here is when I usually take a break. I realized that working on the pictures nonstop isn't good for me. I always see things I want to change by taking breaks (even 30 minute ones I get a fresh eye). When I come back to the pictures I go through and do some photoshopping. Some don't need any, a few maybe need something cloned out, eyes might need brightening, extra contrast added... I was down to 61 pictures at this point. Break time again! This break usually needs to be at least a day. This time it lasted a few days and I finished up last night. I went through each picture again and changed a few to black and white or sepia. I deleted a couple that were similar. I finished with 55 pictures and a Senior collage I've been doing for each.

It feels good to have a system to working on these sessions. With eight whoops, make that nine sessions coming up in the next month and a half, I need to be streamlined.

Labels: knight light, kodachrome

posted by kimberly, 7:05 AM