Re: Recommendation about the best order to apply digital enhancements

In article <KRADf.1184$bU6.889@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, pmiller5
NOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...
>
>I have been learning how to use photo-editing programs but I have a
>question ... what is the best order to apply enhancements?
>
>So far, I tend to do things in this order
>
>1) Crop
>2) Reduce noise if necessary
>3) Change level/histogram if necessary
>4) Change contrast is necessary
>5) Change color balance if necessary
>
>In particular, do you reduce noise early in the process? This seems to
>be a critical step, do you agree that it should be done before any
>other photographic enhancements except for cropping?
>
>--
>Paige Miller
>pmiller5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>It's nothing until I call it -- Bill Klem, NL Umpire
>If you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
> I hope you dance -- Lee Ann Womack

My "average" workflow is:

RAW process to 16-bit, adjust color balance, exposure, sharpenening=0, any
other adjustments needed - all via Adobe RAW Converter in PS-CS2. Save_As PSD
in Job_Title\Work folder.

All compositing work in 16-bit, all further adjustments via Adjustment Layer
w/ Layer Mask. If Highlight&Shadow used, apply to a Dupe Layer and adjust
Opacity, and/or Layer Mask. Save_As PSD with _01 suffix.

Mode to 8-bit for final Filters, etc. if they do not support 16-bit. Save_As
PSD with 8-bit in suffix.

Flatten, Noise Reduction, Sharpen, Save_As PSD with Final RGB in Suffix.

Convert to CMYK (MAC or PC), any touchup (usually a few tiny areas with Blur
Tool, if necessary), then Crop to client's specs. Save_As TIFF (LZW) with
CMYK-cropped in suffix.

Hunt



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