Its back!  Its Olive’s monthly contest where you contribute a comment and have a chance to win great prizes!  This month’s prize is a set of Lightroom presets designed by Nathan Holritz of Photographer’s Edit. This is a set of Warm B&W, Neutral B&W, and Color Lightroom Presets to get both your RAW and JPEG images looking fantastic in no time.
TO WIN: Because using custom presets will really speed up your workflow, please leave a comment about your BEST workflow tip if you’re interested in winning Nathan’s presets.  At the end of the month, we will choose one of the comments, and and that commenter will win the prize!
Your tip does not have to be lightroom related… it can be about any workflow tip you want to give. Â Be sure to come back and check other comments – a lot of people have some really great advice. Why not learn from each other? Â
In the meantime, don’t forget to check out Photographer’s Edit.  Not only do they have amazing presets, but they are a fantastic place to outsource your editing and color correction.  And if you are a Pictage member, you get a discount!!
I use my own preset called ‘fix’ before I start editing, this gives me an accurate edit to most of my pictures, it has an auto fix, and a slight S curve and slight boost in vibrance, then when I start the edit. Obviousl ‘fix’ doesn’t always look right, so I make my way down from WB to a vignette. Lightroom is set out in such an easy way that anyone can learn how to edit RAW files (and even jpgs.)
Every night, before I go to bed, I think to myself “What can my computer be doing while I sleep” – whether it be importing from memory card, backing up, batch processing… Saves me waiting around while it does its thing during the day, and is pretty motivational when I walk downstairs in the morning and find stuff’s happened overnight.
My images go through a rough edit to cut down on the numbers. Then I use a custom preset on all of my images. I zip edit through the images and pic out my “Photographer Favs,” usually around 100ish. I use some presets and do some minor Photoshop work. Images are ready to go in less than a few hours. Very fast considering usually around 2000-3000 images!
Cheers!
….take a look at negative clarity….
If I have a sequence of images that are all taken in the same scene and have similar lighting, I will edit the settings of the first one in that sequence to get all the WB, exposure, and color settings like I want them. Then I will go to the grid view in the Library module of Lightroom (Keyboard Shortcut “G”) and select all the images of that sequence, including the first one I edited. Then I can simply “sync” all the Develop settings and Lightroom will rapidly apply all the changes to each image, saving me lots of time on the back end.
Ok, this is a basic one but it save me time. After importing images into LR, I press the caps lock button and then to a 2 key pick. With Caps Lock on I only have to press ‘P’ or ‘X’ and LR automatically advances to the next image to either pick or reject no need to hit the right arrow. This making culling the good images a quick process.
I don’t have a good workflow tip, in fact I need LOTS of help with my workflow. Don’t have Lightroom yet, actually buying it this week, that would be why I need these presets!
I’ve had LR for two years and am just now trying to use it more than PS. Importing with my own preset that adjusts a few things such as brightness and contrast. Quickly cull and select a few to apply my horrible b/w presets b/c I can’t seem to find one that I like
. Portrait color I do in PS b/c I can’t seem to replicate the pop in LR, but I’m working on it. Some day, right? LR is just such a huge program, that it’s taking me a bit of time to use it to it’s fullest capacity.
I use a preset I call “working one” where I edit one photo and then copy the settings onto “working one.” Then I use that preset on all the other photos that are similar in lighting/color/etc.
My best workflow investment ever was Photo Mechanic. I download all of my photos, open them in photo mechanic, choose my keepers and import them into Lightroom for further culling and editing. It has really sped up my workflow process and now something like Nathan’s presets will speed me up even more!
First off, Lightroom is an amazing program. I always apply a basic universal setting (Holritz presets have an awesome one) to the images at import. Then, and probably the most important thing you HAVE to know is this – as you start seeing the images importing – DO NOT – again, DO NOT!!! start “fixing” images. I found myself doing this SO many times. Just LET THEM IMPORT. What HAS to be done at this point is the CULLING! Not necessarily deleting, but more importantly SELECTING! Select your favorites with just 5 stars. Nothing else, just that. Then go back and FLAG your picks to give to the client. That’s IT! Trust me, it’s a matter of scrolling, 5 starring and pressing “P”. Nothing else. THEN go through the selected and starred images to correct.
Now, I should have mentioned this before, but it should go without saying – get the image you want FROM THE CAMERA. Meaning, try to take the photo as you want it. Don’t take a photo thinking “I’ll just fix that in Photoshot”. We work in an industry where there may be a LOT of images we HAVE to go through. So why make more work for yourself. You will be a MUCH happier person if you apply the correct setting in the camera before clicking your shutter.
Thanks!
1st I review and flag every photo (rejected or flagged) to just bring up the ones I really want to work on. Then I create batches by setting keywords for each batch then I create a preset for each batch (as by adjusting one photo from each batch) then it’s just recalling each batch (by keyword) then applying its preset. As no all photos as exactly equal I just need few clicks to get that desired look. I was an avid user of Photoshop (Since CS2 – CS4) However after Lightroom I use CS4 ONLY to perform those super special effects and re-touch. And with plug-ins (as those from ONE software) then the process is even easier.
Hey Jules!
here’s how i start.. I always correct distortion in all my images through capture NX using my raw images. then i upload them all to lightroom and work on them.
josh
Kevin Kubota’s Raw Workflow for Lightroom 2 helped me tremendously. I had absolutely no idea how much time I sould save myself and Jules Presets are pretty cool too. LUSHDARK = favorite!
THANK YOU, Tina!! I’m going to be putting out another creative set VERY soon!!
I would have to say that my best workflow advise would be to make yourself comfortable for starters. Grab a glass of your favorite drink (cherry diet coke with lime), find some tunes to keep your work flowin. And lastly, prioritize. So many times I get caught up on “rabbit trails” as I like to call them, that wind up taking me hours upon hours of time that should have been focused on something else. My never-ending pile of postit notes and calendars keep me prioritized and my husband, well – he keep me sane!
My first workflow advice is to practice with Lightroom until you are comfortable… then put the Photoshop to pasture.
Since LR 2.0 I haven’t used PS more than a dozen times and mostly for perspective correction on the rare architectural work I’ve done.
I love the CAPS Lock trick – that made a huge difference.
I number or X all pictures first time through: 1 -looks like someone else’s snapshot, sort of uninteresting; 2 – worth considering, will work on if I don’t have a #3 version of a similar shot; 3 – the meat & potatoes, every picture will be get my “basic” preset and then I’ll try a couple of creative looks on each one, check for blemishes, smooth a bit of wrinkle and hit “P” for Picked and Done; 4 – work on & blog; 5 – include in my portfolio.
You can’t process and edit excellent photos unless the picture is excellent to begin with. So, that’s why I make sure I choose only the best pictures before starting my edit. Even thought it takes me a bit to sort through 2000-3000 pictures to get my best 200, it saves me SO MUCH TIME when editing because it’s just minor edits from that point on. What I learned in school is to not “fix” a negative/photo but take it well to begin with! It’s a lesson I’ve used over and over again.
my best LR workflow tip…create virtual copies of images you are using in Albums or on Blogs so you can have your originals untouched!
I suggest shooting in manual mode as a “pre” workflow tip. Shooting in manual allows you to better batch process images because all the exposure will be similar or the same. If you shoot Aperture Priority or another “semi” auto mode, shutter speed and ISO variations can alter your images enough to prevent effective batch processing.
Cheers!
I use photo mechanic to help me sort out all of my pics. This has been the biggest lifesaver for me. before I even look at the pictures I zoom into them and delete the ones that are not tack sharp. Ever since I have been doing this I haven’t been stressed or disappointed when I fall in love with a picture and it is soft. Or when a client orders a 30×40 and you are not quite sure if it will look blurry. That is my most helpful workflow tool by far!!!
Dang. Was that supposed to be a LR workflow tip? LOL! OOPS! I do use lightroom, but it is so confusing sometimes. I wish I knew how to really utilize it!
Any tip is fine!!
Best Workflow tip: to keep it going smoothly, DO NOT click the internet toolbar icon for FACEBOOK! Avoid distractions!!
GOOD ADVICE!!
I love to use the option key when adjusting the slider for “blacks”. Just when I start to see a black outline emerge in the picture, I stop. Most of the time it added lots of depth and richness to the image in less than 3 seconds!
I am LOVING all these tips! Tonya, the tips do NOT have to be Lightroom related, just something that helps your workflow! For instance, I find that creating a highlights category for EVERY wedding I shoot helps me immensely with magazine submissions and pre-designing the album later!
I also like to use the flag feature in LR as I edit to select the images that I will use for slideshows and album design. This way, once I am done editing I don’t have to go through the pain of trying to decide which ones to go with. I already have a nice set to work from by using the filter button.
I still use Bridge, but I try to ctrl+A and use a preset to add the correct metadata right away so I don’t forget. I also shoot manually so I can edit in batches. And my best tip, outsource your editing if you really don’t enjoy it!
Great idea for this contest! Loving all these tips! I just started LR. Best tip I learned is to hit the “L” button 2x = “lights off” so you get the nice black background, from there, hit caps lock and use “P” (flag) & “X” (unflag) to quickly get through your uploads choose your best shots. Oh and pandora helps too!
I’ve been thrilled with Photoshop CS4′s Adjustment Pallette, it has streamlined my workflow by cutting out the steps required to make adjustment layers. One of my favorite features is the ability to make my own presets, including one I use on many of my portraits that I call “A Little Bit Warmer” which adds just a touch of red and yellow in Levels. It’s amazing how much time can be saved by eliminating six or seven small steps.
Hmmm….I’m thinking most people are probably looking for workflow tips that speed things up, but here’s a take (shot?) from a different angle. I like to think of LR2 my “art tool,” so I try to keep it special, if that makes sense. Here’s the scoop: I’ve been a Mac user for years and I think iPhoto is a wonderfully solid, super-simple program for keeping photos organized and for basic adjustments (just like Picasa is for PCs) So I import everything to iPhoto…then select my favorites…and THEN send those to LR2. Such a small thing, but for some odd reason, it really works for/inspires me. This way, when I open LR, it’s loaded with my own personal favorite shots…and oddly enough, that brings a little “feng shui” to the whole workflow….gets me in the right mind set to get creative. I love LR…and love keeping my LR workflow a special event.
The best workflow advice I can give is regarding Lightroom’s AMAZING backup feature. When importing images from a card, you choose the location that you will import those images to. I have two hard drives I import to – I have one main drive for editing, and a second backup drive. Lightroom has an option in import to select a backup folder, so you can actually copy your images to two locations at the same time! Your images are then backed up in two locations, so no worries about crashes or losing/damaging a memory card!
I really love the folder structuring that Kevin Kubota suggests in his workflow. I started using it and it makes finding my images sooo much easier. 7 folders – RAW, Edit Out, JPG proofs, Slide Show, Print, Album, Blog, and Video. I drop all the RAW images and import to LR from there. Then I tag photos for blog, album and export those straight to their folders after editing. So much easier to pick blog images and have them set aside.
Everyone has to find what works best for them…what programs, what processes. For me, the key is time management in the process. Chances are, a mediocre image is an image I won’t spend much time on trying to tweek. I will take an image that already has potential and inhance it. But I always try to keep the big picture in mind…time is money and there are so many things to juggle in the world of digital photography that it’s important to decide how much time to invest in editing. My husband and I started out in the film era, and much less time was spent, simply because we didn’t have the capabilities. Processing time has easily doubled, especially when you want to keep a competitive edge and offer the modern effects. The creative options are limitless and it’s so easy to get caught up in the artistic side of things that you really have to find the best balance for you and your business.
The best tip I have for speeding up your workflow is I try to get everything right in the camera instead of during post processing on the computer. It’s important to do a custom white balance, set correct exposures, be aware of the compositions, etc to leave less editing later. I try to eliminate these things from my post processing and it leaves me more time to be creative with the images. It’s also helpful to use presets for desired effects, time is money afterall. Shoot to sell, don’t just snap away endlessly because you have a big memory card, try to be more selective about the images you capture and that will also leave you with less to edit down.
I’m new in the business so I try to make things as easy as possible. I have a strong background on photoshop (UCLA UNEX) however dealing with it can be time consuming so I use Lightroom to adjust most of the photos I take (white balance, Exposure and minor details then I choose (by flagging) the photos I want or require more extensive work (ea: Face blemishes, unwanted artifacts, etc) those are the ones I move to CS4 to complete the job. Ligthroom help me tremendously to accelerate the process but I rely in CS4 for the final product.
I just found you today through a link from your site designer. I upload from the camera and do a quick delete through the camera’s software before importing into Lightroom. Then another quick run through to flag my favorites and flad the additional rejected. Most of the time I get sidetracked and start to edit before I get all the way through, but if I can stay focused, it helps. =)
Hooray to winner Travis Jon Allison of Walking Mavrick Consulting! He won the preset pak! Check out his website here: http://travisallison.org/
well.. it’s like I said!
eh… 10x