PS workflow

[georgie]

I have recently got Photoshop CS2 and am trying to come to grips with all of its features. I am still new to Photoshop and am strugelling to get a nice workflow in PS.

My usual workflow is to shoot in NEF - convert to JPEG in NC and then adjust mostly curves and exposure in PS. I am sure there are so much more that I could be doing but have not come up with something that works quickly and efficiently.

I have searched the forum and have found plenty of workflows for converting NEF to JPEG (which I have no problems with ) but would like a nice workflow for PS.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

[mudder]

G'day,

Sorry no help with PSCS2, but just wondering why you're working with JPEG instead of maybe TIFF or something...

Just curious...

[georgie]

G'day,

Sorry no help with PSCS2, but just wondering why you're working with JPEG instead of maybe TIFF or something...

Just curious...

Actually have just started using TIFF as an intermediate in my last batch. Thanks

[mudder]

What're your thoughts on CS2, any significant improvments from CS?

[xerubus]

working with images in cs2 is the same as cs.

open your nef with cs2, it gives you settings such as wb etc. the main difference with cs2 is that it has 'auto' functions in acr... which so far has been pretty spot on with the tests i've been doing.

my wf is basically this:

- open .nef in ps (not original nef.. it's a copy)
- adjust wb, exposure, saturation etc where necessary
- open image and do any further adjustments such as usm etc
- save as .tif

cheers

[georgie]

What're your thoughts on CS2, any significant improvments from CS?

Since I am not that proficient in PS, I would probably not be the best person to give a good analysis - but my initial impressions are that it is very similar.

I got it from a friend - would I pay to upgrade from CS - NO - there are better places to spend money.

[Aussie Dave]

My workflow using CS is:
- open NEF in Nikon Capture (just prefer it to the PS NEF plug-in)
- ammend WB & exp comp (if required)
- import from NC to CS (NC converts the file automatically into a TIFF and opens it in CS
- I first determine if it is for the screen or for printing (usually for the screen)
- crop (if necessary)
- change image size
- adjust levels (via each RGB channel)
- adjust curve (if required)
- adjust "shadows/highlights" (if required)
- add any filters (if required)
- denoise image (if required)
- run Unsharp Mask (settings vary. I don't use one standard setting)
- add frame/border
- add signature
- add EXIF info on matte of border (adjust opacity)
- either save as OR save for web...

I'm sure there are many and varied ways of how we all undertake our PP.
I'm interested to see how others to theirs. It may give me ideas on how to improve my workflow...