I am always changing my own process but currently doing the following on the RAW file:
1. Colour Balance
2. Levels (brightness + contrast)
3. Saturation
4. Any Cropping required
5. Export to TIFF
6. Close the RAW file WITHOUT saving! - This is my 'master slide' or 'negative'.
Then basically in PS/PSP:
1. Sort out any noise etc.
2. Check colour balance, levels etc.
3. Save the TIFF and mark as read-only (this is now my repeatable start point for printing, JPEG etc.)
4. Re-size to what I require (e.g. web or print)
5. Sharpen
6. Print and close without saving or save as JPEG.
As far as I know, sharpening is the LAST thing you should do. Activities such as noise removal and re-sizing will change the 'sharpness' of the image.
Cheers, Mark.
|