For those of you who don’t know, batch editing is a process where you run a preset over your images to save time in editing. Some photographers will batch edit their entire process, others (like me, well, like the old me) will only batch edit certain steps in their workflow (sharpening, skin smoothing, temperature, etc.).
As much as I love the extra time batch editing saves me, and believe me, I truly love saving time, I’m going to have to do away with batch editing altogether. Why? It’s just not worth risking the quality of images for my clients.
Let’s take this gallery for example:
I batch edited a majority of these, and although they seem pretty good, my client pointed out a couple of issues that I’ve had other clients point out as well.
The first being that this image printed on the dark side (I wish I had a Star Wars pun right now).
Sure, images printed appear to be a bit darker than images looked at on our screens because our screens are backlit, and paper obviously can’t light itself. However, had I taken the time with this image to double check its RGB values, I would’ve predicted that the print would be too dark.
Another issue, this image had strange specks on my client’s face. Not cool. The cause? Over sharpening; since I run actions during my workflow, I gave up the power to ensure the sharpness was just right and instead gave each image the same amount of sharpening.
Of course, I sent out replacement prints, but this gallery also made the shift of hand-editing each image. My client’s trust me to capture their most precious memories so that they can relive them for years to come, no one wants dark and spotty prints in their folio box.
So, bye-bye batch editing, and HELLO to consistently clean prints! Every image presented at your reveal will be hand-selected, hand-edited, and reviewed thoroughly before printing. Because your portraits are THAT serious.
Light from My Soul 