Color Correcting & Calibrating
Life for photographers used to be so easy we would simple shoot film, drop it off at a lab, pick up prints and deliver them to you the client.
Now days the editing process is very long and tedious but has been done correctly to give you the client quality prints.
After I get done shooting a wedding I immediately download and back up
All my files. Then I load everything on to both my desktop computer and laptop. Typically I spend a day editing down photos looking for closed eyes, checking focus getting rid of doubles. (I over shoot all my weddings). After this is done I organize the shots in to categories bride getting ready, groom getting ready, first look, formals, ceremony, and reception. Then I color calibrate my professional NEC monitors so I can see all the colors correctly, when I color correct. The reason I color calibrate is because I shoot my entire wedding in a raw format. Raw format is a larger file format that captures a lot more information then the standard JPEG format. Color correcting is a long process it typically takes days. The reason is when I color calibrate I have to adjust the contrast, colorcasts, shadows, highlights and the mid tones all independently to insure great prints.
After I color correct the files I back up and load them all on to an online gallery where you the client can pick out your final selections and share the photos with family and friends.
Tips: Look for consistency in a photographers work. Have you ever seen a photographers work that seemed washed out or too dark? The reason being is usually because they’re not calibrating their equipment correctly. Believe it or not this one thing that I've never had a bride ask me but it's one if the most important steps to loving your wedding photos.
In addition to calibrating your monitor you also need the lighting controlled in your workspace. If the lighting is constantly changing in the room you’re working in your going to get inconsistent results.