How I edit my photos, start to finish

[Camilla and Darwin]

Hey all, I decided to make some videos about how I edit my photos from beginning to end in the hopes that it may be useful. I am definitely not the best video maker in the world so I apologize if I don't explain things super well. I have found that watching videos is very helpful for me so if you have any specific techniques or methods you would like help on I'm happy to make one. Disclaimer: This is just the way I do things - but there are truly so many ways to get to the same end product!

Here is a video on how I use the RAW editor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlNJoIHQ3J8

Here is my video on using layer masks (a MUST in editing, in my opinion) that will help make the other videos more clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvkpeV148Ww

How I edit dogs, I have 2 videos, one I made for Laurie so it has mention of Fudge and Vern, and one I made just today for everyone. I included the one I made for Laurie because it involves removal of leashes which may be useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTNAF9BbPQM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqOvP0Zw5Ro

Here is how I edit my portraits (this is an unlisted, private video due to the fact that I'm showing someone's face close up, so only you guys who have the link can access it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qzybS9a3T0

Landscapes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UopEB9EmoM

Adding catch lights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu-_8C0eCy0

Let me know if these were useful or if you have any requests! I'm currently working on a project with DH - it's a photography e-book and I'd love to know what specific areas videos or tutorials would be helpful on.

link to greater than gatsby actions (all of their sets are great, this is the one I was referencing)

http://www.greaterthangatsby.com/retouch-necessities/#tabs-2

link to pioneer woman actions

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action...

Note: Adina has crop specifications for the calendar, so when editing your photos keep that in mind. She has said before that uncropped images are preferable because it leaves her more room for tweaking if needed. Reviewing the calendar requirements is a very wise thing to do.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Wow! This is awesome Camilla! Thank you so much for always helping us out!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I hope they are helpful!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Excellent video tutorials, Camilla! You make a wonderful PS instructor! :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks Linda!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I haven't checked these out yet but I am sure they will be helpful to us all. Your timing is great for the calendar. You are a generous and helpful mentor to us all. Thank you so much Camilla dear.

[Camilla and Darwin]

No problem F - DH always mentions how much we owe the photography group for entertaining me for free so much. LOL

[DJ & Chance]

These are great, Camilla.  Watched them all.  Thank you.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks DJ!

[Carol and Banjo]

Can't wait to check these out. first, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!! How very generous you are with both your talent and your time!!! You rock Camilla!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Let me know what you think!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am going to comment on the lessons as I see them before I forget things which I would do if I went through them all first. First of all your voice is lovely. You have done a terrific job on the two videos I have seen.
The first raw editing image is great. There is much more that can be done in ACR and I think when people want to go into Adobe Camera Raw in depth the class I'm linking is a great bargain. I bought and even watched all of it : )

https://www.creativelive.com/courses/adobe-camera-raw-optimizing-en...

The second video on layers is also great. I smile when I remember how confusing they were to me. The only two things I would mention is that you could copy the mask and apply it to the second correction and perhaps save a bit of work. Also, there is no need to merge layers if you ever think you might want to go back and tweak things. Just save the image with all layers "on" as a jpeg to post or whatever and then you can save the layers as a PSD for future changes. This PSD does take a lot of dis space though.

[Camilla and Darwin]

F, both of your points are very valid. With camera RAW, I know I don't use it to it's full capabilities and I keep looking at that course and thinking I should buy it. 

As for the layers - I explain with some of my other videos but I tend to merge layers a lot because I like to keep my layers panel uncluttered. I also explain that it's because I don't ever go back and make changes to my edits so I don't need to keep them intact, but if it's something that you do you should not be merging layers. I guess it's just a workflow thing that I don't even think about. I never save PSD files because they are large and because it's very, very rare that I would ever go back and change edits I've made. It's just my own personal workflow but definitely isn't right for everyone. 

As for copying the mask and applying it to a second correction - I didn't know you could do that! That is cool. :-)