My Editing Workflow (Simple but Effective)

Introduction

This tutorial outlines an effective editing workflow for photographers and filmmakers, focusing on file management, photo selection, and editing techniques. By following these steps, you can streamline your editing process and enhance the quality of your final images.

Step 1: Organize Your Files

• Keep your files organized to ensure easy access when editing.
• Use an SSD for portability, secured with a Velcro strap to prevent damage.
• Create a main folder for each project and name it something memorable, like "BMW Road Trip."
• Within each project folder, create subfolders for:
  • Raw photos
  • Best photos
  • Videos (if applicable)
• Tag folders with relevant keywords (e.g., colors like "gray" or "red") to simplify searches.

Step 2: Import Your Photos into Lightroom

• Open Lightroom and go to the import section.
• Select all photos for import by clicking "Check All" and then "Import."
• After importing, start with a quick edit to apply base adjustments.

Step 3: Rate Your Photos

• Go through your imported photos and assign star ratings:
  • 5 stars for your best shots
  • 4 stars for good but imperfect images
  • 3 stars for acceptable shots
  • 2 stars or no rating for unusable images
• Consider zooming in on details (like logos) to assess focus quality.

Step 4: Narrow Down Your Selection

• Use the filter option in Lightroom to view only the rated photos.
• Aim to select 10 to 15 final shots that you are happy with for further editing.
• This selection can be used for printing or posting on social media.

Step 5: Edit Your Selected Photos

• Choose a consistent editing style for your set:
  • Browse through presets to find a suitable look.
  • Make adjustments to exposure and colors as needed.
• If you find a style you like, synchronize settings across similar photos by:
  • Holding Command (Mac) and selecting the photos.
  • Pressing Command + Shift + S to synchronize settings.

Step 6: Export Your Final Edits

• Once satisfied with your edits, go to the export settings.
• Choose the destination folder (e.g., "Best") on your hard drive.
• Ensure your export settings are appropriate for your intended use (e.g., for web or print).
• Click export to save your final images.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can ensure a structured approach to your editing workflow, from file organization to final exports. Consider trying out different editing styles and techniques to find what works best for you. Happy editing!