Working with more than one application – Post Processing

There are no end of applications to chose from when post processing your images, some are more expensive than others. Many of them, claim to be the best at what they do! And some are easier to lean than others.

My goto applications are

• For processing my images, I use
  • DxO Photlab.
  • Perfectly Clear Complete.
  • Luminar 4.
• For creative editing and retouching, I use
  • DxO Nik Collection.
  • Aurora HDR.
  • Luminar 4.
  • Affinity Photo.

I like to break my workflow down into

• Prepare – Assess and processing RAW files according to intended use DxO Photolab.
  • Purpose – To create a balanced RAW file for further processing.
• Enhance – Refine images using AI; noise, colour, sharpening, portrait retouching – Perfectly Clear Complete.
  • Purpose – To have 1 step automatic photo retouching and batch corrections that mimic the human eye through using AI software.
• Create – Apply creative effects and finishing touches.
  • Purpose – to add a distinct look and feel to an image. Aurora HDR, Nik Collection, Luminar 4, Affinity Photo.

My work flow is something like this:

1. Import and Catalogue – Adobe Bridge
2. Process RAW files and create TIFF files for further enhancements – DxO Photolab.
3. Enhance – Refine images using AI; noise, colour, sharpening, portrait retouching – Perfectly Clear Complete.
4. Apply creative effects and output final images for intended use – Aurora HDR, Nik Collection, Luminar 4, Affinity Photo.

Below is an example of the process:

The first image is an out of the camera RAW file converted to JPEG for this blog post.

The second image is with RAW file corrections and adjustments done in DxO Photolab and AI image enhancements applied using Perfectly Clear Complete. (TIFF to JPEG)

The final image was a TIFF file exported to Luminar 4 for for AI Sky replacement and a Sun ray filter applied.

I like to exploit the strengths of each programme I use when processing my images. Sometimes I may use just one programme depending on my needs, but without a doubt when it comes to processing my RAW files I use DxO Photlab!

You can download a copy here