I have seen a lot of commentary on processes but rarely one on the starting point. So it got me thinking about a poll. When you do post processing, do you start your image at a neutral point? Using your camera’s color profiles (or emulated ones set by a tool)? Or a “standard” (Like Adobe Standard or ProStandard in C1) and work from there? Or do you start with the out of camera jpeg/heif and only edit from that?
Your starting point for post processing
- Thread starter TurtleCat
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I start with the out of camera RAW file. I then import into Apple photos
I typically start by importing a RAW file into Lightroom Classic with Camera Settings applied during import. Once in a while I'll convert a RAW file directly into Photoshop, NX Studio or other tool but LRC reading Camera Settings is my typical workflow.
This is what I do Ralph but our choice wasn’t listed.
I start by importing the Raw file into DxO Photolab with a linear profile applied. I've created a preset which applies a linear profile, DxO wide gamut Colour Space and the DxO DCP curve, plus a slight boost to the luminance curve in the tone curve. This gives me greater latitude in processing the image. It takes more time, but I'm retired and have more time to spend on my images.
I import to Nikon NX Studio, and cull or mark the photos I may edit. No edit with that NX. Then open the potential useable into 2025 Photoshop and edit.
I would call that a standard rendering (Ala Adobe Standard, C1's ProStandard). It is the default Apple rendering.
That's a good point. I added a new selection based on that since some people would prefer to have a calibrated look based on a colorchecker/passport/etc from a colorimeter.
I begin by applying a linear profile along with Lightroom Classic's Auto tone feature during import.
While Auto tone doesn't always produce optimal results, it's easy to revert to the original raw settings with a single click of the reset button.
While Auto tone doesn't always produce optimal results, it's easy to revert to the original raw settings with a single click of the reset button.
Votes are only getting started but I’m intrigued by the variety of starting points. My journey has evolved from camera profiles to neutral to “standard” (ProStandard in my case). Although sometimes I think about using the camera profiles as they can look really good. But I don’t think third parties do them as well as the first part tools.
Once I do the initial culling…anything needing NR goes to DxO 4…then I personally start with the auto button and go from there. White/black point and then whatever seems right.
TomRC
Member
Long time Lightroom and Photoshop user but lately ditching Lightroom and just using just Bridge and Photoshop. Bridge is a much more efficient viewer than importing into Lightroom and Photoshop has everything Lightroom has and much much more. From Bridge you can either direct edit in Photoshop Camera Raw or straight to Photoshop for more in depth editing. If you are editing LOTS AND LOTS of Photos, PhotoMechanic is a great investment to pair with PS of LR for batch viewing, culling, & exporting. I don't use it anymore as I'm not doing high volume but if you are processing tons of images, PhotoMechanic will pay for itself in short order based on the time it saves!
mathjak107
Active member
most of the time i send the raw photo to dxo pure raw 4 .
then i pull down any highlight adjustments and do my cropping .
then off to photoshop where i use my most favored software filter LUCIS ART .
it lets me add detail or work the individual color channels very easily .
then a round of topaz adjust ai and if needed topaz sharpen
only the very best shots get worked on and tweaked manually , otherwise i use the process mentioned
then i pull down any highlight adjustments and do my cropping .
then off to photoshop where i use my most favored software filter LUCIS ART .
it lets me add detail or work the individual color channels very easily .
then a round of topaz adjust ai and if needed topaz sharpen
only the very best shots get worked on and tweaked manually , otherwise i use the process mentioned
Last edited:
apanella
New member
Using DAM, NEF file improted from camera card(s) > (Auto + event) Keyword >>>
Shift into C1: Cull > [Camera} ProStandard
Then, let the edits begin...
Bonus; Post edit actions
Cull Again > Additional keywords edited files > Post images > Archive file folder
Shift into C1: Cull > [Camera} ProStandard
Then, let the edits begin...
Bonus; Post edit actions
Cull Again > Additional keywords edited files > Post images > Archive file folder
I am honestly surprised by how few (so far) use the camera profiles for a starting point of their look.
apanella
New member
I choose a profile based on the environment when the image was recorded. Typically, C1-ProStandard and "linear" cover the range of what I try to do.
Maybe someday SDR and HLG sensor curves alongside linear profiles may play a greater role in starting point selection.
In some ways the chosen ICC starting point seems to define the starting point for user created presets.
In my simple mind, manufacture profiles are for mimicking a manufacture color science, where editing consists of only crop/rotate/heal.
(i.e. When levels/curves/color mapping are tweaked, you are no longer in the manufactures profile)
Maybe someday SDR and HLG sensor curves alongside linear profiles may play a greater role in starting point selection.
In some ways the chosen ICC starting point seems to define the starting point for user created presets.
In my simple mind, manufacture profiles are for mimicking a manufacture color science, where editing consists of only crop/rotate/heal.
(i.e. When levels/curves/color mapping are tweaked, you are no longer in the manufactures profile)
I find the results interesting. When I first started being more intentional in post processing around the Lightroom 2 days it seemed all the rage was replicating film looks and Lightroom profiles that tried to do that. Or using the out of camera jpeg profiles. It seems a lot of people are moving from that to defining their own styles based off of a "known" starting point.
apanella
New member
There is even a feature (new to me, not sure how many tools have it) that attempts to adjust the sliders to match the "look" of an existing image. Then save that "look" as a starting point.
CaptureOne has that but I haven’t tried that. I ought to give that a try sometime.
David Berry
🇦🇺 Australia 🦘
Any chance of an option titled ‘None of the Above’?
I could but I’d be curious what other options there are. I’m sure there is one but I thought I’d covered everything for people who post process. Although the “some other starting point” might fit.