What's Your Workflow?

[One4UAll]

I've scanned film negatives & transparencies of photos I've taken over the years, ranging in format from 35mm to 6x6cm. I scanned at optimal scanner resolution (3200, 4800 ppi), at 16-bit depth, with no adjustments. I have several hundred "raw," original, digital images, burned to CDs. Some files are huge: 275+ MB.

I want to process these images for a variety of purposes: e-mails, the Web, 4x6 prints, art prints, magazine covers, calendars, etc.

(I use Photoshop CS1 on a Mac G5. I have an Epson Stylus Photo 1280 inkjet printer. 11x14 is the largest the 1280 can do. I may want to have a larger print made outside, according to the file size's capability.) I just want flexibility in using a file. I'm aware that it's best to reduce to 8-bit before printing.

I'd like to know the workflow any of you would or do use, given what I've told you. That is, you open the "raw" image in PS & then what?

I'll compare what you tell me with what I'm already doing, which needs improvement. I'll comment, ask questions, etc., as appropriate. But, I won't argue with or dispute what you are doing or would do. This is not about "the best" workflow.

[mistermonday]

One4UAll, FYI, the Epson 1280 will print up to 13" x 44". I use it regularly to print 12 x 18" on the 13 x 19 " Epson Photo Paper you can purchase in packages of 20 sheets.
Out of time now but perhaps tomorrow I will be able to post workflow preferences.
Regards, Murray

[pixelzombie]

i'll do any retouching or CC to the original image and will only reduce file size/resolution/crop to a copy of the original image, if any changes are needed i will always go back the largest images unless something specific is warranted to the smaller image...

[rmx101]

As I understand, you want to process huge image files (over 200 mb) for a variety of purposes: e-mails, the Web, 4x6 prints, art prints, magazine covers, calendars, etc.

Checkout www.pixelide.com Their imaging solution could work.. Store all hi-res original image files online. It's Workspace has a custom re-sizing feature. It lets you instantly creates JPG comps to send via lightboxes.. Pro. printing is also built in, just in case you want to order large prints.

[One4UAll]

Thanks, rmx101. I've bookmarked that Website. But, I'm more interested in workflows in which you (1) open an image; (2) then, what? Do you do a Save As, make a new Background layer, make a Duplicate? I know no one works on the Background image, directly. (3) How & where do you save an image after you're done? (4) What do you do with the saved image, whose file size has probably increased a lot, due to layers? I suppose, for a specific purpose, you open that file, do a Save As, then flatten that file for your purposes. I imagine there are a variety of equal workflow options that people use. I guess I'm really asking about image file management.

I'm not blowing off rmx101's suggestion. That Website may be an answer to how I can market my images & get product to people conveniently, both for them & me.

[rmx101]

Hi again,
Sorry for any confusion. I was under the impression that you needed some solution to re-purpose image files, i.e. create JPG comps in different sizes. Thats why I was suggesting the online custom re-sizing tool at Pixelide

How about trying out the Adobe Lightroom or Apple's Aperture for this type of workflow.. I believe you can create automated tasks with specific output settings. BR.