Work Flow Checklist for Digital Photographers

Below is a checklist for all of you digital photographers who want to be efficient and save time all in one. Let us know what you think about the list or if you would add anything to the list in our comments below. Use agreement: Permission to reprint the following copyrighted material is granted when accompanied by the attribution copy included at the end of each story.

Work Flow Checklist for Digital Photographers Paste this checklist next to your computer. Refer to it until these steps become automatic. If you do, you’ll save yourself extra effort and dodge the occasional disaster. 1. Capture images. 2. Transfer and save images. Save them as soon as possible to a computer, external hard drive, or CD. Always back up all your photos in their original format. 3. Edit your images. Rank them and toss out the losers. Editing frees the computer’s memory—and your time, ultimately. Image management programs create thumbnails of images and permit scrolling through them for rapid review (You can zoom in when you want to check for clarity.). Map out your naming and filing system first, then create appropriate folders in the image management software before naming and sorting your files. 4. Convert from RAW. If you shoot RAW files, perform as much color and contrast control as possible in the RAW editor. 5. Rotate and crop. Doing this now makes for easier manipulation later. Use the crop tool in Photoshop to remove any distracting elements that intrude along the edges of the image. Cropping is also useful if you find a vertical composition hiding in your horizontal image. Cropping can also extend the range of your telephoto lens—you can reduce the size of the frame in the computer to get a tighter telephoto. If the horizon looks tilted in a photo, you can straighten it in Photoshop by selecting Rotate Canvas from the Image menu. 6. Resize up. When the original file is not large enough for a given end use, increase the size of the file now. You can inflate the image to the desired size either with tools in Photoshop or with plug-ins. To make the image smaller (for example, for the Web), wait until you’ve completed the other corrections so you can keep a larger corrected file as an archival copy. 7. Correct color and contrast. Photoshop and most other editing programs provide for automated color and contrast correction. If you’d like to do your own custom correction, Photoshop bristles with options and parallel ways to achieve similar results. Wander through the menu as an experiment; as long as you have an archived copy of the image, you have nothing to fear. The Undo command is the most powerful tool in Photoshop. 8. Repair. Photoshop and other programs offer multiple ways to remove flaws—such as signs of dust, glare, moire patterns and other artifacts—from an image. Sensor dust and glare on the subject as common problems with easy fixes. For small flaws, try the Clone tool or the Healing Brush, both found in the Tool menu. 9. Enhance. If you wish to improve on reality, do it now. You can change the color of a tent. Remove a distracting log. Turn color images into warm sepia duotones or dramatic infrareds. Paste in a new sky. Add motion streaks to a running animal. 10. Save working file. Save the results now—in 16-bit, if possible—before you sharpen. Sharpening cannot be undone after the file is saved. Retaining an archival copy may prove vital. 11. Sharpen. The more you work on an image, the softer it becomes, so sharpening should be the last thing you do. Additionally, you never want to sharpen more than once because artifacts will multiply. Too much sharpening, and your photo will look harsh and grainy; contrast and noise will seem to increase. Don’t bother trying to sharpen low-resolution images. They are inherently highly pixelated, and even modest sharpening will highlight the individual pixels. 12. Save Archival File. Copy the file to a folder in your image-management system. This is your archival copy. Toss the working copy if you wish. 13. File Output. For putting images on the Web or sending via email, convert your images of 72 dots-per-inch (dpi) JPEGs set at low or medium quality. This way your images will be quick to load. To print photos, feed your printer 300 dpi files for best results. This keeps the file size down without loss of apparent quality. Adapted from Digital Photography Outdoors by James Martin (The Mountaineers Books, $16.95 paperback)

Salt Lake Photography - Newborn Sneak Peak of Payton

We went to Salt Lake this last weekend, and had the amazing opportunity to photograph a little man named Payton. He is only a little over a month old! Oh it was so much fun and such an adventure! He was the most precious thing and his parents, well, they were so awesome! How handsome is this little guy?

Provo Family Photography - Snyder Sneak Peak #2

Due to really, really cold temperatures... we took this cute family out for a second time to capture some more pictures. Luckily we got their second session in before they moved! It was still cold... but not nearly as cold as our first session with them! Thanks Snyder Family! You guys are awesome!

Orem Family Photography - Graff Sneak Peak

Meet Mikala and Travis. Travis is going to... what they like to call "Fiji" :) He is one of the noble men that fight for our freedom. He will heading to Iraq soon. We wish him the very best.

What an honor it was to take pictures of them. They were a lot of fun to get to know. Thanks so much you two! Here are a few of the pictures from your photo-shoot.

This one is one of my favorites:







A good photoshoot always ends with tons of fun! :)

North 40 WY - Demolition Derby 2009 - Sneak Peek

We have to admit... this was our first photography shoot at a demolition derby. It was Awesome! Dustin did a great job! He had some sweet hits that made it fun to capture action shots.

His sponsor is: North Forty. More information below. Also check out their website!

Click HERE. or go to http://north40wy.com

Here are a few pictures from that day:

More about the Sponsor:

www.north40wy.com

Joel Merritt * P.O. Box 651 * Thayne, WY * USA * 83127 Phone: (307) 884-8136

Star Valley's Premier Residential Community

Now is the best time to purchase real estate in Star Valley, Wyoming.

Located just 45 minutes from Jackson Hole, the North Forty features community living without the restrictions of an association.

The downturn in the economy has actually opened up opportunities for those wanting to build that dream home. Interest rates are at historic lows, pricing is lower than it has been in years, and real estate is a sound investment.

Amenities include:

* ½ - 2½ acre parcel

* Central water

* Paved roads

* Year-round RV parking

* Detailed covenants

* Fire protection hydrants

* Private pond and walkway

* Playground for children

* Neighborhood park

Prices Start at $29,900

Contact Joel Merritt for more information:

Here's how to get in touch with me:

Telephone: (307) 884-8136

Email: north40wy@live.com

Email: jmerritt@silverstar.com

Provo Photographers go to Wyoming - Brickman & Teagan Sneak Peak

Meet Brickman and Teagan!

We left Provo and went on a little trip last weekend to visit some family in Wyoming. We had the wonderful opportunity of taking pictures of these two adorable kids.  :)  This is our nephew and niece.   We take pictures of these two every chance we get!  All this photography lately has been so much fun!

Take a look at these little models:

   

Utah Family Photography - Ware Family Sneak Peek

The Ware family had their family vacation up in Heber, UT and decided to have some family pictures taken.  We had a beautiful back drop to enhance their pictures.  Great smiles, a few laughs and lots of fun were had by all!  What a great family and thank you guys for giving us a call.  

Here are a few fun pictures from their shoot.

Provo Family Photography - Merritt Family Sneak Peek

The Merritt family photo shoot took us all the way from Provo, UT to Thayne, WY.  Thayne was an amazingly beautiful place with it's green trees filling the mountains and grain all over the valley.  The Merritt's made the photo shoot a breeze.  They all looked great and even with all the children, they were all smiling!  We had fun hanging from trees and posing with the family dog.   

There were so many fun pictures to choose from, we wish we could post them all, but here are a few of them!