Outsource my post-production?

[Dave442]

I don't see any problem with outsourcing some post processing. In my regular line of work there are a number of things I outsource and often it is to reduce time at the computer. Did a project last year where we were sending stuff to India at night and the next day we had processed information in hand.

 

[Overread]

In the film era wasn't a vast amount of work, even professional work, processed and even printed by a lab. And today many pros still use labs for printing work rather than printing at home - with many I know who print at home often being "on site" printers for events and thus needing a printing setup.

Sure the more you control the more you can dictate what happens at each stage exactly as you want; but the higher your workload is. If you can get someone local in a team to work with you (several of the pros I know are a husband and wife combo - one shoots one edits/prints) then outsourcing part of the process can be a logical next step.

A few things to consider:
1) Invest in outsourcing to several establishments first with a variety of your common work. You want to contrast and compare their work rate along with their quality and communication as well as their costs.

2) Always maintain strong communication lines; any that run silent or who are poor at communication are highlighting potential problems down the line.

3) For editing I would always have it so that the edited works are run through you before the client sees them. So before they are uploaded online or sent on disk or whatever they should pass your eyes for approval - that way you can make any fine adjustments you want; but you also know exactly what the client sees. No confusion if they suddenly complain.

4) Consider a course on processing workflow. Sure you might be considering outsourcing; but an adjustment to your workflow methodology could make wonders for your processing rate. Efficient use of software like Lightroom and Photoshop action could well cut down the hours you spend editing - especially if you are producing images for review and print selection (a rough run over for review - followed by touchup of fine details for the print on fewer shots)

 

[407370]

I dont understand the dilemma?
If you have a preset formula for processing photographs then turn it into a batch process and do it with one of umpteen different packages designed to do that very thing. Call it a style but in reality if its digital then its just a bit of programming.
If you have specific post processing requirements for a particular set then a written description handed to someone who knows what they are doing should suffice.

Failing that if you give me a before and after pic with a description of what you did then I can write a batch process for you that will work with Irfanview or similar.
Each of the settings can be individually addressed and customised. Save different batch processes for weddings, landscapes, pornography etc

Of course things like spot healing / cloning would be done outside the batch process but 80 - 90 percent of the grunt work would be done by the batch and if you are processing 100 pics then its 100 processes that can be done by the touch of a button.

 

[gsgary]

The easiest way to get round your problem is to shoot better so you don't have much post work to do

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[JacobPhoto]

The easiest way to get round your problem is to shoot better so you don't have much post work to do

I'm sorry, but it seems like we're from different planets.. My problem is not in bad or defective shots. My problem is that I'm engaged in MODERN wedding and portrait photography which ALWAYS requires some post-production.

Thank you guys for all thoughts here!

 

[Overread]

Don't mind Gary - he's mostly harmless ^

 

[gsgary]

The easiest way to get round your problem is to shoot better so you don't have much post work to do

I'm sorry, but it seems like we're from different planets.. My problem is not in bad or defective shots. My problem is that I'm engaged in MODERN wedding and portrait photography which ALWAYS requires some post-production.

Thank you guys for all thoughts here!

I have pro wedding photography mates that don't have problems sorting their photos but they charge £3000 and a friend that shots weddings on film and charges more but also get wedding albums to customers quicker than when he shot digital

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[Overread]

Aye Gary and I'm sure they've got good and valid working processes. However without a greater understanding of their process, method and out put (ergo how much they deliver) its impossible to compare to the OP's setup. They might wel be serving very different markets; furthermore the generalist "get good" just isn't much help.

We all aim to get better; but sometimes we reach a point where self learning reaches a peek or a block. The OP has clearly reached a point where something has to change for his company to continue to function as it should - outsourcing isn't a crime and could be the solution for his market and current business model - similarly investment in good editing software guides might well reveal a few ways he can cut down his workflow already.

 

[calamityjane]

Yesterday, I outsourced some retouching (just two frames) for the first time as a photographer (not as an ad agency bod) and it was the best use of my time (done overnight as the supplier was in the US) and money ($3.75 per image). It is not, as some in this thread have suggested, a case of 'getting it right in camera' (how on earth can you reduce rosacea on the subject's face in camera?! No, I did not have a MUA on the unpaid/speculative shoot). The work was minor for a pro retoucher but would have taken me hours as it's not what I do. As an ad agency bod, I understood clearly the value that a pro retoucher can add - why on earth would I attempt to do a job that is outside my specialism?! As a photographer we are often, unrealistically, expected (and therefore place the expectations on ourselves) to be world-class cinematographers, video editors, retouchers, MUAs, gaffers, etc. My suggestion is to know one's own limitations (whilst aiming to expand them), respect the expertise of others and recognise when it is more time and cost effective to outsource.

 

[manaheim]

Post processing has been around since well before computers were involved. In fact, since pretty much the beginning.

 

[Vtec44]

Post processing has been around since well before computers were involved. In fact, since pretty much the beginning.

Yep, dodging and burning.

 

[Watchful]

I think there is some envy expressing itself in some of the comments.
I don't have a go to editing solution for you as I think you need to find someone that will work with you more closely than just send it out and hope they share your sensibilities. Maybe its time to add an employee to your corporation.

 

[gsgary]

Post processing has been around since well before computers were involved. In fact, since pretty much the beginning.

Yep, dodging and burning.

There's a lot more than dodging and burning

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[Vtec44]

There's a lot more than dodging and burning

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Obviously. DUH! But those are the two most common things.

 

[robbins.photo]

It is not, as some in this thread have suggested, a case of 'getting it right in camera' (how on earth can you reduce rosacea on the subject's face in camera?!

Doesn't your camera have that setting that automatically fires prosacea? Maybe that's what the new VRIII settings will be for.. hmm....

Glad you found something that works for you though, sounds like the cost will be manageable and it should save you a lot of time.