Photoshop workflow

[stcolin]

Hi all,

Thought I would start a thread geared towards peoples workflow in photoshop. For me personally, I have a different workflow depending on the subject, so for aviation, it's always been roughly the same. Below are the steps I usually take to get my final result. Bear in mind that this workflow is used to uploading to anet and jp, so things differ when you go outside that box.

Step 1: Crop and level. I always use the grid function to see where I need to level.

Step 2: Re-size. There are many myths out there on resizing for shaprening purposes, but I think this makes no difference resizing in steps to maintain IQ. I don't normally go above 1024 x for anet/jp unless I can justify it (to show off detail)

Step 3: Remove dust spots. I create a duplicate layer, select the background layer, then use the dust brush to go over any dust spots. Then I delete the copy layer to leave my background nice and clean

Step 4: Levels/Curves. Always a tricky one if the exposure needs a lot of correction. You could always adjust this in a RAW workflow beforehand. Keep the highlights to a minimum and control the shadows. Don't go crazy with the shadow/highlight tool. Halos will start to appear and the shadows can become noisy too

Step 5: Colour/colour balance. Usually I boost colour to make them pop a bit more. In the case of a photo having a bit of a colour cast, I use the sliders on the colour balance tool to even things up. Beware that it can only be used to correct a faulty white balance to a certain extent.

Step 6: Contrast. Usually just a bit of a boost, nothing to much.

Step 7: Sharpening. I've always worked on 500/0.2/0 using the USM tool in photoshop if the original is a sharp as it can be.  only sharpen the aircraft. The easy way to do this is to sharpen the entire image then produce a layer mask - hide all. 

[stcolin]

Step 7 - cont. After 'hiding' the sharpening I then use a paint brush (soft edges) and 'paint' the sharpening back on. This is very beneficial when faced with jagged edge airline titles that you may not what to sharpen any further than normal.

Final step. Save as. I always save at the maximum quality. For web use, I resize at 800 x and save for 'web and devices' to save a bit of disk space.

Any question or additions just fire them up! Hopefully it will be of benefit to everyone. I've used this workflow in CS2/CS3 and in Elements

Thanks for reading

Colin

[casper]

Thanks for that.
Step3 - I also equalise the duplicate layer as it shows the dust spots better.

[stcolin]

Ah yes, eqailize the duplicate layer! Still a bit too early for me!

[Dave]

My work flow is pretty much similar, although I use a different method for selecting just the aircaft. I use the magic wand tool, and when the select option is used, it only takes a few fast clicks around the aircraft to select the surroundings, and then inversing it allows just the aircraft to be selected.

The colour balance is something I use alot, especially for shots taken in cloudy weather. I found all my shots had a blue colour cast from Portrush hence used colour balance correction in all my shots.

I often add contrast with noiseninja, and often only to just the aircraft.

For sharpening, I use two passes at 360/0.2/0 USM although that is for uploading at 1200 and 140a big no-no.

I think Colin has pretty much outlined the easiest editing workflow that gives the best results. 

[casper]

Step 1: Crop and level. I always use the grid function to see where I need to level.

Possibly a quicker way to level.

1 - Open the image
2 - Select the Measure Tool
3 - Draw a line across anything that should be vertical
4 - Then select Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary. This should then contain the degrees that photoshop picked up from the measure tool.

[Angry Turnip]

That all sounds very complex chaps

Are you all shooting RAW?

I use JPEG and I use a programme called Serif 6 to tweak my pics a bit.

Like you I tend to follow a "recipe" but my aim is always to get the original image as good as possible to start with.

Generally I will crop the image,resize it,add a smidgen of contrast,a little increase in saturation (sometimes) and than sharpen slightly if required.

That`s basically it-I tried using Photoshop on a friends PC,but found it much too tech and tricky to use for my little brain

[kingsavo]

Could I nominate that this thread be made a sticky? Has helped me no end! Or just ignore me!

[casper]

Done

[kingsavo]

4 Minutes! I now nominate Casper as best Admin ever!

[Dave]

I doubt anyone else has tried this hence I'm putting it forward. I have recently started cropping the picture and then applying some USM sharpening (100,1.0,0)and a small touch of noise reduction BEFORE resizing the image. Once resized I'll adjust the levels and saturation etc and then apply some smart sharpening. It seems to give some fairly pleasing results.

[Merlin]

Guys, need some advice.

I'm trying to level the attached photo but can't seem to get it right.

I'm not sure what I should be using as a guide, the vertical columns along the back/side or the floor. No matter which way I go it doesn't look right.

Help!!! 



[attachment deleted by admin]

[Dave]

Personally I'd level the photo using a vertical in the centre of the photo. For example, the yellow vertical beam above the number on the engine seems to be a good place to level it from thus I'd apply a little more CCW rotation, but it still looks good.

[EZYgoing]

Yea I think a CCW rotation of around 0.31 should straighten that beam

[Merlin]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'll let you know if it is accepted.

[Merlin]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'll let you know if it is accepted.

It was 

Only got the confirmation today. They must be busy.

Thanks again for the advice.

[Dave]

Nicely Done!