Are there Common PP Techniques???

[rickp1]

Hey guys and gals,
I'm not sure this exists but I'm looking for a book, program, web tutorial, even a list or cheat cheat, that contains information on the typical basic (or not so basic) techniques for touching up portraits, landscapes, action shots, macro pictures etc...in Photoshop CS4 (or any other prefered applicaton). A list of things most photographers change during the initial PP phase to improve the images. The basic touch up stuff. Now I recognize that the "basic stuff" can be very different from one picture to the other, but I can't help but think there's not a set of basic common changes that might cover all pictures.

I really enjoy photography and I want my pictures to look great, but now that i've taken my pictures I really don't know where to begin the PP phase and start giving the pictures that great look they can have.

Thanks
R.

[Nicole]

Have you tried a book like CS4 for Photographers? I have CS3 for Photographers by Scott Kelby and I've found it really helpful for figuring out where to start with post-processing.

[rickp1]

Hi Nicole,
No the CS4 book I have is called "Adobe Photoshop CS4 one-on-one" by Deke McClelland. It's pretty good but it's mainly for teaching you how to use PS, not where to begin with PP after the picture taking has stopped.

I've seen some of Kelby's podcasts and other videos on the web, I've even read one of his books "the digital photography booK" a real good elementary book on this stuff.

I'll check out the one you mentioned.

Thank you.
R.

[FormElement]

I think everyone has a different set of "basic" processes they go through, that are "right" for them. Typically I am going to go through this thought process...

1) Correct the basic Exposure. Dodge/Burn/Saturate.
2) Sharpen
3) Clone out imperfections
3a) Adjust lens perspective.
4) Adjust blur/sharp balance
5) Subtle dodge/burn for final balance
6) Noise reduction.
7) Final retouch/blending/compare with base photograph to make sure I didn't go too far.
8) Crop for final print.

The methods used for each step vary. There is nothing but experience and knowledge to tell you why one method is better than another in each circumstance. Sometimes the order has to vary for subtle reasons.

[rickp1]

Hi FormElement,
I agree with you, which is why I knew my my question was painted with a really wide brush, but I'm still hoping you guys can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for the reply.
R.

[teaking]

For basic touch up probably:

1) Capture sharpen (USM 0.3 250% - 300% 0 threshold
2) Colour correction / Skin tone correction (mainly curves)
3) Saturation / Contrast (hue/saturation, or layer modes)
4) Cropping / Resizing
5) Content Sharpening (high pass or USM)
6) Output sharpening (if being printed or dislayed on web etc)

Although everyone is different

[Sterling]

Sounds like the exact book you need is "Scott Kelby's 7-Point System for Photoshop." The one I have is based on CS3. I don't know if there is a CS4 version but it really shouldn't matter. You can download the photos he uses in the book so you can follow along with the lessons yourself. I found it very useful in determining "where to start" when PPing photos.

[rickp1]

Hi Sterling,
I'll give it a look. I ordered Nicole's recommendation the other day but if I like this one I'll order it too. You can't have enough reference material.

Thanks
R.