LANDSCAPE EDITING
Having an efficient editing process is essential. For professional results, consistency and organisation is key. Landscape pro Justin Minns talks us through his Lightroom workflow
For a professional photographer having a consistent workflow is essential. Following a simple series of steps – from capturing the images in camera to delivering the final prints or digital files – helps to keep things organised, improves efficiency, and brings consistency to your work.
The first stage of a photography workflow starts in the field with the camera but here we are focusing on what happens next, at the computer. Designed specifically as a workflow tool for photographers, Adobe Lightroom has been at the heart of my workflow for many years and for organisation I think it is second to none. When it comes to processing, it obviously cannot compete with Photoshop in terms of the level of creativity possible, but it isn’t supposed to. They are designed to work hand in hand with each other. While I initially used Lightroom for organisation and Photoshop being my choice for the more advanced processing, over the years I have found myself using Lightroom almost exclusively.
Whatever software you use, simplicity is the key to a good workflow. Lightroom uses a simple modular system with separate modules each with different capabilities suited to each stage of the workflow. The golden rule is to always do everything within Lightroom. If you need to rename or move files, do it from Lightroom so it can keep track of where things are. Following a shoot, my workflow begins in the Library module. Using a card reader, I open the import window and select the images to import. All my images are stored on a network drive, with a folder for each year and sub-folders for each shoot. From the import window I can select the appropriate year folder as the destination and create a sub-folder for the shoot, then copy the files to this folder and import them to my Lightroom catalogue simultaneously. Not only does creating a sub-folder this way save an extra step in the process, but Lightroom has a number of options such as renaming files or applying keywords for customising the import process. I add basic keywords at this stage as well as applying my metadata preset containing all my copyright and contact details and a develop preset automatically applying lens corrections.
AFTER
Justin is a professional landscape photographer best known for his atmospheric images of East Anglia. He runs landscape photography workshops both in East Anglia and around the UK. See more at www.justinminns.co.uk
JUSTIN’S PROCESSING STEPS IN ADOBE LIGHTROOM
