Let me tell you about Ben. Ben is a photographer. He strolls around with his camera around his neck searching for unique moments in the ordinary random happenings of life, and he takes pictures.
Ben loves his photography, what he doesn’t love is spending his time behind a desk with a laptop in his face trying to edit his pictures.
These are a few challenges Ben has with editing:
• Time Consumption due to sorting and adjusting large volumes of photos from a single shoot.
• Lack of technical expertise for the use of sophisticated photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
• Difficulty in maintaining a consistent color and tone across a series of images.
• File Management, storage and lack of a well-structured system to organize, back up, and archive his photographs.
• Struggling to strike the right balance between enhancing an image and preserving its genuine qualities.
• Keeping up with the continually evolving photography trends on social media
If you’re a photographer and you’re reading this blog post, I’m guessing you’re probably like Ben. Now I’m not saying you’re exactly like Ben, but maybe you also have your own struggles with editing pictures after shooting sessions, and you’re wondering if there are better ways to handle it.
If that’s the case, here are a few practical solutions to streamline your editing workflow, which will make the process not only more efficient but also more enjoyable.
STREAMLINING WORKFLOW TECHNIQUES
This involves choosing or creating a method that makes it faster and easier to get work done. Some methods for streamlining photo editing which will improve a photographer’s workflow are:
a) Batch or Bulk Photo Editing: Using batch editing techniques is a must for every photographer who enjoys taking a lot of photos. Batches of photos can be edited directly by selecting multiple images. Any editing adjustments made will be applied to all selected photos. After doing it once, you can efficiently and quickly apply the same edits across all your photos in just a few clicks. This creates visual consistency and helps you escape the editing backlog.
b) Utilize Presets & Filters: Presets are collections of settings that affect the whole image, such as white balance, tone curve, saturation, sharpening, and noise reduction. Filters are effects that alter the appearance of the image, such as adding a vignette, a blur, a grain, or a frame.
Editing presets & actions including filters are pre-made adjustments that you can apply to your images with one click, such as changing the color, contrast, exposure or style. They can save you time and help you achieve a consistent look across your photos.
c) Leverage keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts for photographers can be very useful in photo editing software. They are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternate way to do something you’d typically do with a mouse. Photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom have various shortcuts you can employ to get work done at maximum speed.
d) Establish a structured folder system: A folder system helps you organize photos for editing and saves you tons of time and frustration. It involves arranging your pictures into folders and subfolders so you have a clear idea of what to work on at every moment. It also helps you backup your photography workflow.
e) Using the Tethering Process: Tethering in photography refers to the process of connecting a camera to a computer or another device in real time. By shooting tethered, a photographer can streamline his workflow by instantly reviewing images on a larger screen, making adjustments on the fly, and sharing previews with clients or teammates.
INVEST IN TOOLS AND SOFTWARE FOR EFFICIENCY
Post processing in photo editing is much easier when you make use of tools for Color calibration and Color grading. Color calibration tools are devices that ensure your monitor displays colors accurately. They are vital for creative professionals like photographers who rely on precise color representation. Color grading software is also a powerful tool to enhance the visual appearance of photos. It allows you to adjust colors, contrast, brightness, and other visual elements to create a specific mood or style.
IDENTIFYING TIME WASTING HABITS
Proper photography time management is achievable if a photographer avoids fallingvictim to a few time-consuming habits that can be easily curbed if they are identified and avoided. Here are some common ones:
a) Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS): Constantly researching, buying, and trying out new photography equipment can eat into your shooting time and creativity. Focus on mastering the gear you have before diving into new purchases.
b) Endless Editing: Spending hours minutely tweaking photos can be a black hole for time. Set a time limit for editing and focus on making impactful adjustments rather than minor tweaks.
c) Social Media Comparison: Getting caught up in the highlight reels of other photographers on social media can be discouraging and unproductive. Limit social media browsing and focus on developing your own unique style.
d) Improve Gear Organization: Wasting time searching for misplaced memory cards, lenses, or filters can be frustrating. Invest in a camera bag with organizers or develop a system to keep your gear categorized and easily accessible.
e) Unplanned Shoots: Arriving at a location unprepared without a shot list or idea in mind can lead to wasted time experimenting and indecision. Plan your shots beforehand and visualize what you want to achieve.
f) Post-Processing Procrastination: Putting off editing photos until later can lead to a backlog and overwhelm you. Try to edit your photos soon after a shoot while the experience is fresh in your mind.
g) Distractions During Shoots: Checking your phone constantly, getting sidetracked by conversations, or letting unplanned elements disrupt your focus can steal valuable shooting time. Be present in the moment and concentrate on capturing your vision.
d) Unnecessary Gear: Lugging around excessive equipment you likely won’t use can slow you down and make you miss fleeting photo opportunities. Pack light and bring only the essentials you need for the shoot.
By recognizing these time-wasters and implementing some organizational changes, any photographer can free up valuable time to focus on what truly matters which is creating compelling images.
OUTSOURCING EDITING TASKS
Outsourcing photo editing tasks can be a great way for a photographer to free up their time and get professional results. Before you outsource your editing tasks do the following:
a) Define Your Needs: Clearly identify the editing tasks you need, like basic adjustments, color correction, or advanced retouching.
b) Develop Editing Style Guide: Provide clear instructions and photo examples to ensure edits match your vision.
c) Communication is Key: Maintain clear communication with your editor throughout the process, providing feedback and revisions.
CONCLUSION
Efficient editing is the key to unlocking your full creative potential as a photographer. By implementing the techniques and tools outlined in this post, you can streamline your workflow, save time, and produce higher quality edits while maintaining your unique style.
I believe Ben will benefit from these tips, don’t you think? Share your own tips on how to manage the challenge of photo editing in the comments below and let’s continue to support each other on our creative journeys.
