How to save time editing your images and get better results.

During the past two years, I have been overwhelmed with so many things, that I rarely did get to edit and publish my photographs. I still have “undeveloped” RAW files on my hard drive that are two years old. I need to reduce my backlog, so I figured I needed to increase my efficiency.

Instead of writing a long tutorial, I decided to share some insight into efficient image processing instead. Since I do not have a lot of time, I usually process my images this way:

1. Only develop good images. I know it is tough, but you need to weed out the garbage. I am still not perfect at it, but getting better. Only show good work. I even need to remove some of my earlier images from this website since I feel somewhat embarrassed by them now.
2. Streamline your workflow. Use scripts as much as possible. I have Photoshop actions for just about everything. I have one action to develop standard day shots, one for high ISO indoor shots and one for night shots. I have actions for further processing (e.g. the watermark).
3. Categorize your pictures accordingly so that you can process similar pictures together.
4. Do not automate your RAW conversion. You took the time to expose your pictures perfectly. Tweaking them in the RAW converter is fast. I consider this as my second chance at exposure. In Adobe Camera RAW, I often use the Auto setting and make minor adjustments from there. Sometimes I tweak the levels. When you take 30 seconds to 1 minute per picture, you can then just run your scripts and that’s it
5. Pick fast. Most of us take many images at a certain location in the hope to capture the best possible angle and composition. If you have a hard time deciding what picture to use, just pick one. Other people will not know the differences either.
6. Clean your sensor. Why waste time removing spots from your image when you can do better things with your time?
7. Do not manipulate your images. Try to exclude disturbing things while shooting instead of removing them later. Not only will you create better pictures by focusing on the things in your viewfinder, it will also tremendously cut down editing time.

The picture above is from the Toronto, Windsor, Niagara Gallery I just uploaded.