Photoshop 101: Basic Photo Workflow

The name's Scott and I have been an avid photographer for several years now and I have been searching hi, low and inbetween for a step-by-step workflow to processing pictures on the computer. So I sat down and decided to flesh one out for not only my benefit but for any photographers out there that just don't know where to start..I hope this helps. If you have any questions or comments I would be happy to answer them. Rich has asked me to continue my photo guides, but the best way I can do that is by giving you (the users) what you want. So if you have any ideas, comments, praise or would like to send donations please let me know: Scotts-photography@comcast.net.

Save photo in .PSD or TIFF format
Duplicate the background layer

Crop and Rotate

RAW file only step:

Adjust white balance
Crop and rotate image using RAW editor (cropping here is non-destructive)
Open photo in PS or PS elements

Open photo
Save photo in .PSD or TIFF format
Duplicate Background layer
Crop photo and straighten the photo.

Before you proceed to the next step, select the eye drop and make sure ‘Sample Size’ is set to 3 x 3. This will give you a better/more realistic color sample….ok on to step 5.

Create a levels layer.

There are 2 ways to adjust levels, using the eye droppers or by adjusting the sliders. Let me explain both:

Eye dropper method:

Select the ‘Set black point’ (The black eye dropper
Now click in the darkest point in the photo.
Select the ‘Set white point’ (The white eye dropper) and click on an area that should be white, or is the brightest area in the photo.
Select the ‘Set grey point’ (The middle dropper) and click on an area that should be grey. If you don’t have one, choose and area of a neutral color.

Your histogram should look something like the image below.

Finally adjust the middle slider up (to increase the midtones) or down (to decrease the midtones). Pic 5_2

Slider method

: Use this method if you don’t have easily defined white, black and grey points.

Select the drop down box and choose the ‘Red’ levels.
Now move the right hand slider and left hand slider so they are located just where the peak on the histogram starts. (In my example I just moved the slider on the right because my photo is a little under exposed.)
Now do the same thing for the ‘Green’ levels and the ‘Blue’ levels.
Next select ‘RGB’ in the drop down and move the middle slider to adjust the mid-tones to your liking. Then click ‘OK’

Your image probably has a bit more shine and pop to it now!

Next you want to make any creative adjustments using the clone tool, healing brush or apply any filters. (I applied a simple radial blur to the layer named ‘background copy’)
Save your work.
Choose ‘Layer’  Flatten Image (This will condense all your layers down to a single layer).
Now Choose ‘Enhance’  Unsharp Mask
How you unsharp is personal preference. I will give you 2 settings I use most often:

People: Amount: Between 80 – 150; Radius .5 – 1; Threshold 1
Objects: Amount: Between 125 – 200; Radius 1-1.5; Threshold 1 or 2

* The more pixels your picture is the more unsharp amount you can use. Experiment with what looks best to you. Be sure to zoom into your photo to 100% so you can see the adjustment easier. Also, the photo will look sharper on the screen than when you print it.