I have a question about the order to best process images in the computer. So far, I have been just fiddling around with different things and seeing how they work. I am assuming that there is some order to the process and thought I'd ask rather than just mucking around. The basic steps I have been following with straight images (no masks/layers etc) are:
1. Crop/resize
2. adjust levels/contrast
3. Other effects (if used)
4. De-noise (if needed) been playing with Neat Image, dunno if there are other tools I should look at.
5. USM
How do you do it? Am I missing something? something critical?
Most workflows mention croping very early in the sequence but for challenges (if I recall correctly) any noise reduction or filters allowed should be applied to the whole image!
I have taken this to mean that any cropping comes after "adjustments" then you can move on to resizing for entry.
why does it matter if you apply a filter to parts of a picture that you cut off?
The rule about the whole image relates to the image you wish to enter. It doesn't matter if you cropped things out of it initially. As long as that new whole image is not spot edited in any way. Does that make sense?
One thing to add is; save two of the .tiff images. One that is unedited, and the one you work on. This way you have a base to work from and have to worry about multi-generation losses to your image.
Far as I know, Frisca's right. At least I hope so.
However, I try to wait to resize until near the end. I usually use NI first - not sure this makes sense, but it seems like that avoids an extra JPG compression when saving. Then I do any manipulations - crop, levels/curves, colors, etc. Then I do a sharpen and save the full (minus any crop) resolution image as a PSD file - first, so I'll have an image with enough resolution to work with making prints, and second so it isn't compressed so I can go back and make more edits if necessary. Then I finally resize to challenge resolution and apply a second USM to compensate for and softness introduced when resizing. This is usually very slight, but it usually is beneficial.
I should say, when I'm really thinking about what I'm doing, those are the general steps I take. More often then not, I forget at least one or two of those. :(
I ahve to agree with the point about backups. I always put my original shots in a sub-folder called 'originals', then save edited versions in another directory. Better safe than sorry. This should be your very first step before any other processing.
