Working out a Digital Workflow By Jeff Schewe Presented at the PACA Convention Sunday, May 16, 2004 Sponsored by Canon USA 2
The importance of properly preparing files can not be overstated. The lack of attention to detail or the lack of knowledge about the technical criteria is what leads to problems... either small, large or HUGE! Pure professionalism demands a level of knowledge and the attention to detail that will produce professional results-every time, no excuses. 3
Input The highest level of quality requires; 16 bits/channel input For initial Color & Tone corrections High Resolution (3-4x the final output size when possible) Image optimization so the final imaging is done with a Perfect 8 bit/channel image 4
Image Processing Evaluate and Correct both Globally and Locally. Retouch on separate layers to enable modification and show how much work is done. Save all elements and iterations and archive. 5
Monitor Profiling The First and most Critical step in Color Management. Why? If you can t trust your eyes, you aren t a visual artist... you re just a technician. 6
Monitor Profiling There is no reasonable excuse for ANY professional photographer to NOT use a hardware/software monitor profiling solution. 7
Color Spaces The choice of Photoshop Working Space is critical for a professional color management solution. Only built-in color spaces should be used. In order of gamut size: srgb ColorMatch RGB Adobe RGB ProPhoto RGB srgb severely reduces color gamut while Adobe RGB will display poorly in non-color managed applications. 8
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ColorMatch RGB 10
Adobe RGB 11
Adobe RGB vs srgb 12
Metadata The IPTC or Photoshop "File Info" metadata should be filled in by the photographer and the image should be marked as COPYRIGHTED. 13
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Digital Capture Processing Using Photoshop CS and Camera Raw to process digital captures 30
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Digital Capture Processing Automating the Digital Workflow using Actions and Batch Why do it by hand? Automate it! 41
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The Automated Digital Workflow Saves Time and Decreases errors and mistakes! 58
Digital Image Submissions There is very little consensus regarding the EXACT specific technical requirements of digital images submitted to major agencies. However, technical excellence is required by all agencies. Therefore, submissions should be evaluated very carefully. 59
Digital Image Submissions In general, the following criteria is common: Flattened TIFF file format with no additional file aspects other than straight RGB files. No layers, no paths, no channels, no guides. Just simple TIFFS. 60
Digital Image Submissions In general, the following criteria is common: Either no compression or LZW only. Some will accept JPG at Max Quality. File resolution set to 300PPI For commercial images 48-60MB For editorial images 18-33MB News & newspaper images 10-18MB 61
Digital Image Submissions Most agencies WILL accept images from digital cameras. However, many require a minimum of an 18MB RGB capture and some agencies only accept captures from high-end higher resolution cameras such as the Canon 1Ds. 62
Digital Image Submissions Most agencies state they do not want any images that have been interpolated up from original size. They also state that images should not be sharpened. I view both criteria to be short sighted. If done properly, uprezing and capture sharpening should be accepted. 63
Digital Image Submissions Most agencies state they accept Adobe RGB color space in 8 bit/channel for color. Or in 8 bit/channel grayscale with a 20% Dot Gain grayscale setting. 64
Digital Image Submissions Most agencies state they prefer that the dynamic range of the file does not exceed darker than 5, 5, 5 (RGB) nor lighter than 248, 248, 248 (RGB) (except for pure specular highlights) 65
Digital Image Submissions Most agencies prefer all relevant IPTC metadata is filled out in the file including; Author Description Keywords Copyright Status & Notice All relevant Origin info if possible 66
Digital Image Submissions File names should use a strict alphanumeric scheme and must not contain special characters or symbols including, but not limited to: <{}[]+() :;?!@#$%&*>. Underscore _ should be used instead of spaces and the only period. should be the separator for the file extension. File names should also be limited to a total character length of 31 characters including the file format extension. 67
Working out a Digital Workflow Sponsored by Canon USA Notes at: www.schewephoto.com/paca 68