GO BEYOND IN THE STUDIO...
Why RAW through PS?
My training focusses on going beyond the norm to achieve the very best in fine art digital photography. That's why, in the studio, I like to open-up the incredible capabilities of digital imaging's most potent software to my clients.
An ideal Bridge...
Hidden away in Adobe's wide array of imaging programmes is a very capable image file viewing and cataloguing programme called Bridge. It's great for initial file interrogation and profiling, and offers a seamless conduit between Camera RAW and Photoshop. What's more it's Free! I like to show clients its many benefits, yet if they prefer to progress through Lightroom, that's absolutely fine.
RAW refinement
Shooting RAW is essential in that this preserves the maximum amount of image data captured by the camera sensor. Unlike JPEGs, RAW files are uncompressed and retain far greater detail in highlights, shadows and colouration. This allows far more flexibility in post-processing, making it easier to correct exposure, adjust white balance and refine tones without degrading image quality. RAW files also support non-destructive editing, meaning changes can be reversed at any time. For full creative control and the highest final image quality RAW provides the best foundation to build on.
I like to show clients Adobe Camera RAW as it offers a natural fine art starting point without any of Lightroom's AI 'bells and whistles'.
360° imaging refinement
Adobe Photoshop is regarded as the best fine art photography processing software because of the unmatched control, precision and creative potential it affords. Fine art photography demands the ability to refine an image until it fully reflects the photographer’s vision, without falling back on artificial intelligence. And here is where 'PS's powerful layer-based platform excels. Layers allow complex edits without permanently altering the original image. This non-destructive approach is essential in a fine art work flow, where subtle refinements, experimentation and enhancements are part of the creative process.
The full colour palette
There's much debate over imaging software, but the single fact that trumps all other fine art arguments is that PS is the only software that works throughout the entire RGB colour gamut. This wider palette provides a significantly larger range of superior colours, and 360° control over it allows selective tonal control with exceptional natural accuracy. PS also offers advanced retouching tools that are again, unrivalled. Its sophisticated brush tools and luminosity-based selections enable nuanced adjustments that look natural rather than over-processed.
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100% proofing
Going beyond its photo editing prowess, when it comes to image reproduction, Photoshop remains the most versatile and powerful graphic platform for fine art printing. It takes a lot of skill and knowledge to successfully print exactly what you see on screen, but PS offers support at each stage. For every image differs in its make-up and therefore it requires individual attention. Manipulating brightness, vibrance and tonal values when proofing can be time consuming and expensively frustrating. Yet a few adjustments and layered strip proofing can show exactly where your settings and ICC profiles need to be without wastage.
Printing perfection
The final stage in the fine art photographic process is printing. After all the time and effort invested in capturing and creating your image file, everything comes down to reproducing a perfect graphic representation of it. And here PS is once again the leading light. In dovetailing the Adobe RGB colour space seamlessly across camera, image file, processing and print profiling and substrate settings, PS offers the ultimate creative control in printing individually hand crafted artworks.
AN HONEST OVERVIEW...
A daunting learning curve?
While praising Photoshop's superior virtues, it would be remiss if I failed to recognise its Achille's heel! I have been using PS professionally for over 30 years and grown up with its ever-evolving imaging arsenal and the quirky, complex screen. Yet, even to well-versed club photographers and aspiring fine art pro's, this overtly technical appearance represents a daunting learning curve that looks way too steep to attempt.
Hence why I teach my step-by-step, progressive RAW through PS workflow. Because it has the approachable flexibility to overcome this negative perception, even for complete novices. And with the one-to-one, multi-day format, there's plenty of time to grasp the essentials, practice the techniques and for confidence to build as everything sinks in.
It's true to say I have never failed to get a client confidently opening Photoshop. Indeed, it's the main reason I have won multiple training awards. Because in mastering PS basics, my clients take their photography to previously unimagined levels. In recognition, they happily give me their vote, and many return to heighten their capabilities. Down the line, if any client ever needs a bit of support (or timely prompts in keeping their annual Adobe subscription charge to a minimum), I'm only a phone call away!