Your Editing Process

[mmanesh]

Dear all,

I admit I come from Fuji and while I know the disadvantages of using a preset like their film simulations, it also had its advantages — mainly staying consistent and saving time. And yes, I shot raw + JPG and had my own settings in camera so I could use the JPG most of the time.

With the Hasselblad, I cannot imagine using just the JPG and so I started shooting RAW only and processing in Phocus. Now, I do not mean to start a discussion about the tool like Phocus vs Lr or what not.

Here is my challenge: I try to come up with a basic setting that I like for a shoot and apply it to the first images to see if it works. Like increasing contrast to +10, Clarity +5, Shadows +10... and I use this to apply to all other images as a basis to start.

In the pst I would finally convert the JPG to some preset, like RNI or from DXO Film Pack.
I stopped doing so with the X2D since I feel this often breaks the colors. Or the is too much contrast applied etc. So I stick with the basic edit and use it (no complaints so far).

I am probably missing out on proper post processing / editing but I also need to be efficient.

What is your take?

Many thx 🙏

[Usm]

Yes. This happens when I changed from Leica/CaptureOne. To Hasselblad/Phocus.
It's all about colors.

[tenmangu81]

This topics has been addressed many times on this forum.
Some remarks:
1) Yes, the HB colours are wonderful, and it looks mandatory to me not to stack the processing softwares : opening the files in Phocus (or Lightroom) is enough.
2) Each image is different, and needs a specific processing. Applying the same adjustments to a series of images is not recommended to my mind. But it's my opinion only.
3) Applying a RNI or DxO Film pack preset to a JPEG is not recommended (but maybe I misunderstood something). It's better to work with a TIFF and, in the very end, convert it into a JPEG, if needed.

I moved from Leica/Capture One to Hasselblad, in the same way as Usm. The HB files are far more flexible, easier to process, and better when opened in Phocus or Lightroom than the Leica ones, even when processed with Capture One.

[mmanesh]

Thanks all! 👍 Makes sense...

I will learn more as I go. And sure, each picture needs its own adjustments for sure. 

[Dicky]

Hi mmanesh 

Perhaps an old-school grey card will be of use too!
Learning to use a grey card and take spot meter readings, accurate to 1/10th of a stop, will save you a lot of time ...

These days, we shoot tethered, both in the studio and on location.
In the studio, when lighting with our Briese focus.2 115 S-H parabolic lighting system, the "light signature" emitted from the whopping Briese flash tube, always yields absolutely "perfectly in camera" results that dont need any post production adjustments!

That said, if on location, using, our now vintage Broncolor made monoblock lighting system,
then have to consider "controlling and lowering the contrast and harshness of the light signature emitted" from the shorter design Broncolor flash tubes on the monolights!

Our game here is to ensure that "everything" is always absolutely perfect - in-camera, before starting the session!
Wish you lots of creative fun ...

Best wishes 

[JCM-Photos]

There a 3 chapters for me
asset management, it's solved by another mean than editing softwares

raw development, done 100% in Phocus, included dodge and burn layers. Most of the pictures are OK for screen or printing after this step
retouching, such as cleaning skin, or skyes, removing objects etc, I do in Affinity Photo

[mmanesh]

Thanks all this is really great 👍 Happy to learn.

At the moment I shoot fully with available light and more in a reportage style than actually setting up my light perfectly. Will need tonlosen this part of photography better!

[Dicky]

Hi mmanesh
If youre into reportage style of creations?

Heres a link, to an old art-school days buddy, that became a superstar documentary photographer, lives the dream in Paris
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/chris-shaw-17294/chris-shaw-insanity-working-process

Wish you lots of creative fun,
Best wishes