Prashphutita Greco explains how the value you'll get from streamlining your digital workflow, and then outlines the step-by-step procedure he has developed over time for his work.
Workflow - it’s probably a term you’ve heard mentioned many times before, and something you’re already involved with if you own a digital camera and software. We could define “workflow” as being the entire sequence of steps followed in “processing” your digital images to achieve an end result. It could include getting the images ready for display on the web, or producing a fine-art print.
In my view there isn’t any single workflow which suits everyone’s needs - there can be as many ‘workflows’ as there are digital photographers! However, to me, amongst the essential (though not always discussed) requirements of a good workflow are:
1. file organisation: I prefer to have the images being copied off the memory card renamed “on–the-fly” (see: Naming Convention). Many programs will provide this option for you.
2. data safety: All original images must always remain accessible and unmodified.
3. backup/archiving files: Original, and modified/variants.
Name Your File
For chronologically self-sorting filenames,
I use the convention - YYYY-MM-DD_hhhh-mm-ss_Keyword1Keyword2 Keyword3
where: YYYY = Year; MM = Month; DD = Day, hhhh = Hour (in 24-hour format); mm = minutes; ss = seconds.
Then I add a description to each individual file later if I specifically edit it. I will append the suffix: _Edit1Edit2Edit3.For instance, you could add a suffix such as _Spot (to indicate that “spotting” has been done on the negative/transparency)...
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: How to optimise colour in your images; How to use Photoshop Layers and Masks; Profile: Dr Alison Nordstrom; Tips on how to sell gear on eBay; Locations: Redland District, Qld; Canon EOS 600D SLR.
