Process Overview

Process overview for Photographers

Note: we have two ways we can go:

          • You can send over entire shoots in RAW format for complete processing and delivery as either .tif files or layered PSD files if you wish to edit further. (You can also include any specific retouching instructions).

          • You can also send your own processed images for additional retouching only: to minimise upload times these can be high resolution JPEGS (as no major adjustments to colour or tone will need to be made). Alternatively, TIF files are best. Please note that all my image processing and retouching is carried out via a combination of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop only. Provided your processed images are colour profiled, this will not make a difference to the finished look. 

          • Initial Google meeting call: After a detailed look at your current website and social media feeds, I like to begin with a video call so that I can get to know more about you, your work and your technical approach. You may work with purely ambient light and HDR/ exposure blending methods, or you may employ flash/ strobe, or a combination of both. I can offer HDR blending, hand blending of flashed exposures and complete compositing of multiple ambient and flashed exposures. I also have effective solutions for high dynamic range scenes and am happy to provide advice regarding mixed lighting scenarios. Obviously, in terms of time spent processing, multiple composite work becomes more costly but is of course doable. We can discuss the style you wish to project, whether clear, vibrant and bright, or more moody and with an emphasis on texture and shadow, to more obviously artificially lit/ stylised treatments.  I have a wide experience of working with many shoot and post-processing methods and have written tutorial guides about HDR and hand blending of flashed and ambient exposures (more info>>>). On a video call you will be able to share your screen with me and we can take a look at your existing images and discuss your preferences. 

          • Consultation/ Development: Depending on your experience as a photographer, you may wish to develop your work in a technically new direction, so please perhaps have some example websites of photographers’ work you admire to hand to share during our zoom call. I am very happy to offer extended tutorial sessions to help you achieve your goals with tester images, and have worked online with other photographers in the past. 

          • Supplying Images: When you are ready to send over images, you can simply upload them to my Hightail droplink without needing an account of your own. If some images require more complex retouching work in addition, a clear description of what you would like altered is helpful. In case helpful, there are simple apps available (example>>>)  which will enable you to mark up and make notes directly on a copy of your images. Alternatively you could make screen recordings/ voice notes to accompany images with instructions. It's helpful to reference the sequence number of the relevant image.

          • Fixed prices and Quotes : for standard image optimisation (including a certain amount of digital “clean up”, such as marks on walls etc)  I will provide a per image fixed fee, which will vary according to complexity of methods used, while all retouching or complex compositing work will be quoted for in advance based on my hourly rates (billed in minutes) so that you know exactly where you are.

          • Technical:  I work exclusively in Adobe Lightroom, employing its own Merge to HDR facility where required  and making initial adjustments to RAW files: no AI software is employed for these initial operations: initial global adjustments are made to single files in Lightroom, prior to opening multiple layered files in Photoshop to create final composites and further curves/ Camera RAW filter adjustments to address colour casts etc. Selections for local masking are generally made via the Pen tool or color range/luminance selection tools/ plugins. All remedial retouching is carried out in Photoshop via non-destructive layers and then on reimport to Lightroom final straighten/ perspective checks are made. Images are generally supplied full frame. 

          • Colour Camera Profiling : for a small fee,  if an image of a Color checker chart is provided, I can also run a bespoke profile for your camera and lens which will be applied to all RAW files prior to any adjustments: assuming your gear remains unchanged this can be stored for future use but if you hire gear it will need to be updated. In general, I tend to use a Camera Neutral profile setting in Lightroom on import of files to ensure good colour fidelity for property related images.  

          • Convenient Reference Galleries: Your optimised and retouched images will then be made available for assessment and individual download in a password-protected reference gallery which I will guarantee to host for three months. Any additional “tweaks” can be made to images and, once carried out to your satisfaction, a convenient batch download link to the high res images will be supplied. 

          • Web ready set: To assist you further, I will also produce a set of low res images specifically optimised for web usage (generally sized to 1500 pixels long dimension and sharpened for on screen viewing) : this set will be easily distinguished from your high resolution set as they will have  the suffix -web added to their filename, and will be supplied via Hightail.

          • Turnaround times: these will vary with the time of year, but I generally aim for 48 hours from receipt of images for standard editing, while more complex retouching will take longer: it’s best to advise at time of submission if you need images for a particular client deadline, and I will do my very best to accommodate your requirements. I currently do not request a fee for rush work. 

          • Payment Terms: I request payment for all work, via an emailed invoice, either within 30 days of date of invoice, or on publication of images to the web, whichever is sooner. In other words, as soon as your client makes commercial use of any images, payment is required.

          • Payment Options:  I can accept payment via bank transfer and currently via Paypal (which will incur a small percentage surcharge fee) . I will shortly be offering credit card payment options. 

          • Image Release requests: In some cases I may request your permission (and, by extension, that of your client) to use both your supplied images and my reworked versions in my own marketing avenues, generally to illustrate before and after case studies on Instagram and possibly Youtube tutorials. This is of course at your discretion and your written release will be required. No image or property release is assumed. 

I hope that the above process will become very efficient and intuitive after a few submissions: very quickly we will develop a process which efficiently delivers images which align closely with your existing processing methods and personal photographic style. 

So please contact me, Simon, today !