My Digital CameraDarkroom – 4th Class

							                     My Digital Camera/Darkroom – 4th Class
                                               Work Flow
                                                 (GEN 8/24/06)

        The problem with Work Flow is we all work differently, but I should be able to give you a base to
build on. I searched Work Flow on DP Review, the best DC forum I know. I found a few interesting links
which I’ve added to my DC Links page under the caption Work Flow.
        Before we get into Work Flow we better make sure our system is ready to work on images. Our
monitor, imaging software and printing software all handle colors; DIFFERENTLY. Items 1 though 3
below only pertain to CRT monitors, LCD monitors do not have a common scheme, good luck.
1. You may setup/check your monitors Gamma and Brightness levels at
    http://www.photoscientia.co.uk/Gamma.htm, another check place for both of these items is
    http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html#gammachart. This is a critical starting
    point. Both of these links will require
    more than a passing glance before
    you understand what they are trying
    to tell you.
2. Even before this; right, where do I
    start; make sure you have the correct
    drivers installed for your monitor.
    Check the Device Manager as shown
    at the left.
3. All of your software has a place to
    correct for your monitors Gamma.
    IrfanView does not allow for a
    program Gamma change but
    PhotoImpact does and Qimage has
    ICC profiles that can be installed for
    your monitor and your printer.
    Nobody said this was easy.
     Now let’s talk about my basic Work Flow, first time to be put on paper. I like the way one of my Work
Flow Links starts, ”Tip 1: Take many photos!” When I went to the Tennessee/Auburn football game I
filled my new 1Gbyte memory card with 403 images, hoping to get a few good shots.
1. Save the new Images in a unique folder.
2. Use IrfanView to Cull (delete) the bad and duplicate shots. I reduced the above 403 shots down to 143.
3. If I am with a group of people and have my laptop I’ll take those 143 shots and make a Slideshow @ 1
     Sec/slide. People enjoy 2 ½ minutes of viewing, not 2 ½ hours.
4. If taken at a high ISO, remove the Digital Noise with Neat Image. Sharpen here? Maintain the EXIF info.
5. Use IrfanView to determine which images need work. In the editor, for me PhotoImpact, Adjust Level,
     Contrast, Brightness and Gamma. Make the hummer look good to you. Maintain the EXIF info.
6. Crop and Save As A New Image as required. Maintain the EXIF info.
7. Now Print a hard copy, maybe 1% to 10% of your shots. If you email to friends or put on a web site
     reduce the image to ~ 800X600.
         With your printer
         At a store Kiosk
         Email images from home to Snapfish, Walmart, ect.
8. Spring House Cleaning.
         Rework the file structure, cull images.
         Archive Images onto a CD (maybe more often)