PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT 7: PERFORMING THE POST-PROCESSING
Based on the analysis and planning we did with the PA6, we can now proceed to actually use our software of choice in order to shape the raw file into the final visualized image.
You decided beforehand what adjustments, global and local, you needed to make to the image. This will only be the starting point, and chances are your final post-processing will differ slightly from the one you had in mind at the beginning.
At every adjustment, your mind will have to re-assess where you are, where you want to go, and what you are going to do next. Post-processing should be understood as a cyclic, iterative, and organic process, in which intuition frequently takes the lead and we build on each successive step, always moving closer to the visualized image. Each adjustment will change the roadmap slightly, giving us few hints about where to go next.
That being said, in order to develop that intuitive way of working, it is important that we follow a more or less conscious process, following a roadmap that allows us to make changes that are coherent with the intent and the message.
This is what you are going to do during this PA7: you will follow the roadmap that you established during the PA6 in terms of global and local adjustments, and make it happen!
You could theoretically use any post-processing software, since all of them allow us to change tone, contrast, micro-contrast and colours with global and local adjustments. In fact, you could very well conduct the planned adjustments in the darkroom! However, for the sake of simplicity and because we need to stick to one tool for all students, we will ask you to use Adobe Lightroom. That is the tool with which the Assessments will be done.
MATERIAL YOU SHOULD HAVE STUDIED FOR THIS PA7
In order to carry out this PA6, you should have covered the following modules:
Module 8 - Post-Processing with Intent
Module 9 - Black and White with Intent (applicable if you want to process some of your images in monochrome)
Module 10 - Post-Processing with Intent – The Videos
Module 11 - Black and White with Intent – The Videos (applicable if you want to process some of your images in monochrome)
Post-processing Cheat Sheet, accompanying this Assignment (see below)
The video “PA7 by Rafael Rojas” on this page, showing an example of the Assignment completed by Rafael Rojas
You will also find some additional instructional material accompanying this Practical Assignment, to help you go through it. Please read below.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT
In order to help you carry out this practical assignment, we have put together a “Postprocessing Cheat Sheet”, a document that sums-up some of the most important points covered in the modules.
You can download here the “Post-processing cheat sheet” here.
MAIN OBJECTIVES:
The main objective for this Practical Assignment will be to carry out the global and local adjustments of tone, contrast, micro-contrast and colour that will be carried out during Post-processing, in order to:
Enhance the overall message
Enhance the emotional connotations
Complement the composition
Enhancing the balance
Enhancing the depth
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT:
IMPORTANT: For this Practical Assignment, please consider the image as they came out of the camera, with no postprocessing. You should however consider the reframing and cropping that you decided on the PA5.
For this PA there are no documents to fill, but files to process! Your submission will consist of 10 DNG files that will come with the processing already embedded in them.
For this Assignment, you should:
Work the 10 files you selected with your tutor during PA1. Obviously, it is important that you work on RAW files, and no Jpgs.
You should use Adobe Lightroom, so that we can use the same software for all students alike. If you do not have it installed or purchased, you can always get a trial copy that will be valid for 30 days, for free, and that you can use to make this PA7. If you need help, please let us know.
When you have made the corrections, export the file as DNG (not jpg, not tiff, not raw… dng please), using the filename convention: “yourname_yoursurname_PA7_number 1 to 10.dng”
Send to your tutor the DNG files by email to info@essentialseeing.com. If the files are too big, use the free service www.swisstransfer.com or www.wetransfer.com.
Your tutor will review your processed files and produce a Video Assessment review, giving you personalized feedback and guidance. This VA will be posted on this website page, below.
You will be notified when your Video Assessment is ready for you to review.
You can also check the Video Assessments of the other students’ Assignments. Like this, you can learn from each other and have access to many hours of additional teaching.
If you have any questions, please contact your Tutor.
We are looking forward to receiving your submissions for the assessment!
