What's your RAW workflow?

[motleypixel]

What's your RAW workflow?

[DigitalScape]

My basic/standard work for is to start by shooting in RAW format with the camera white balance set to auto.  After downloading the images, I use Adobe Bridge to go through the images and toss out the obvious images that are garbage (i.e. missed focus, or missed timed).  Then I set all the meta data (copyright statement, location the image was taken, etc), and rename the images to something a bit more descriptive (and so I can find a specific image again if needed).  Still using Bridge, I go through the images I want to edit and make the global edits via ACR (i.e. white balance, exposure, curve adjustment, et al).  Then it is off to Photoshop.

In Photoshop I first set the black (and if needed white) points via Levels adjustment layer (in Luminosity blending mode), and I'll see if the image needs some fine tuning with the curves adjustment (in Luminosity blending mode).  I'll look to see if there is any noise reduction needed (I use Ninja Noise plug-in).  Then a run through a pre-sharpener (I use NIK sharpener plug-in).  Then I'll see if there is any fine tuning of the image needed - clone work, color adjustment/tweaks (I am currently looking at Topaz Details plug-in -- it may have a place in the work flow for macro images).  Cropping the image is next if needed, and then a run through the final sharpening process (again I use NIK sharpener plug-in).  I add my copyright watermark, and save the image as a PSD file (all work is done in layers and I save it with the layers intact).

I then change the color space from Pro Adobe or Adobe RGB to sRGB for images that I want to place on my web site - for images I want to print I check with the print lab to see what color space they want.  For image that will be on my web site (or this site), I resize them to around 800 pixels on the longest side, and save as a JPEG image.  Images that are to be printed are not resized and saved as TIF if the print labs supports TIF.

One side note, the Photoshop work is done in 16-bit mode and in Adobe Pro or Adobe RGM color space on a color calibrated monitor.  I am sure that I forgot some small detail or two, so if you have any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them.