Photo Processing Steps Using PSE3

[jcochran]

I would like to see posted a typical series of ordered processing steps that a beginner could use to edit a photo beginning with a RAW file to final product using PSE3. What do you do with the file after you make some adjustments in the RAW format window of PSE3? It seems to me many novices could benefit from following a tried and true series of steps that would give them a foundation for developing their own workflow. Do you work with a copy, do you crop first, sharpen first, use levels first, saturate forst, resize first, or doesn't it matter? What and when do you save and in what format? Even though there are many different variables in processing, there must be a preferred general order or method based on the the experiece of professionals.

[Jodi Frye]

well, I'm no image expert since I use the program generally for art graphics but I'll tell you what steps i take with images. If I'm shooting in raw then i'll open in the e3 raw processor....do a tiny bit of adjustments if needed in 16 bit mode...click OK when i'm done which brings me to the basic editor window. Then if I plan on adding filters and styles I change the image to 8 bit mode ( most plug ins don't work in 16 bit mode ), if not I save in 16bit psd mode.

If I decide to stay in editor first thing I do is crop if needed( no point in working on pixels i don't intend to keep ) If any editing needs to be done I generally use adjustment layers. Levels seems to be all most people need on most good photos ( of course e3's new quick fix will probably get alot of attention as well ). Anyhow, adjustment layers are really always the best way to go because it does not affect your image ....'nothing is set in stone'....you can go back and ' adjust' the layer if needed...hence the name. No definite steps in which to use first...depends on your image and what you wish to acheive. Do become familiar with the blend modes tho. It's amazing what you can achieve....for instance follow page 3 of the Photoshop Elements Techniques news letter for an in depth look at flash overkill and how to overcome this using duplicate layers and blend modes.

I always save in psd format ' as a copy '...the original remains intack....even if i'm only doing work for web....cause if I want to change something on the image 2 or 6 months down the road I will still have a psd copy....which i can edit further without worrying about compression degradation. ( some folk use tiff for the same reasons ) Jpeg is a fabulous format for web and sharing but it should never be used as an editing format ( constant editing and saving in this format will render something worse than what you started with due to it's nature to compress,,,which is what it will do every time you open>edit>and resave in this format)
Sharpening with unsharp mask is generally done last. I try to stay away from this button...no particular reason which I care to share...but if I decide to use it...I duplicate my image first and then apply the filter...this way I can adjust the layer by lowering opacity or erasing areas if needed then merge the duplicate layer to the original. I'm sure I'm forgetting a million things...but if you have any questions please feel free to ask away.

[jcochran]

Thanks Jodi, that is the kind of information that helps a beginner like myself.

[rgravel]

Hi,

I'm also new to doing RAW. After I've done WB adjustments to my RAW files, I'd like to convert them into .JPG. I don't see that option available, only jpg200, PSD, and a few more.

How do I convert multiple RAW files straight into .JPG in multiple file process fashion ??

Thanks

[Jodi Frye]

rgravel, hi, yes just change the raw image from 16 bit mode to 8 bit mode in order to save in regular jpeg format. You can either do this in the raw processor or in the editor>image>mode>convert to 8 bits channel. Unfortunetly jpg2000 is still not recognized by most browsers.

[rgravel]

Grrrreat !

Many thanks Jody :)

Robert

[Jodi Frye]

great to you !

.....good morning !