What Makes a Workflow Rock-Solid?
A reliable post-processing workflow has three characteristics: it is consistent (you follow the same steps every time), it is efficient (no wasted steps or duplicate effort), and it is resilient (you do not lose work when hardware or software fails). Here is how to build one.
Step 1: Hardware Foundation
Before software, your hardware needs to support fast, reliable work:
- A fast SSD for your working drive — RAW files are large and slow drives create bottlenecks
- A calibrated monitor — uncalibrated colour work creates re-editing requests
- A separate backup drive — always on, always connected
- Sufficient RAM — 16 GB minimum, 32 GB preferred for large RAW files
Step 2: Folder Structure and Naming
Define your folder structure once and never deviate from it. A practical structure:
- Working Drive: YYYY/YYYY-MM-DD_ClientShoot/RAW_Originals/
- After culling: YYYY/YYYY-MM-DD_ClientShoot/Selects/
- After editing: YYYY/YYYY-MM-DD_ClientShoot/Exports/
Rename files at import using date and shoot identifiers, not camera-default names.
Step 3: Import and Immediate Backup
Import from card to working drive. Immediately copy to backup drive before any other action. This must be non-negotiable. Do not cull, do not edit, until the backup copy is confirmed.
Step 4: AI Culling With imagic
Run your RAW_Originals folder through imagic. The Analyse step scores every image for sharpness, exposure, noise, composition, and detail and groups burst sequences automatically. Install imagic with pip install imagic — it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and handles all major RAW formats.
The Review step is your quality gate. Confirm or override the AI selections. The Cull step produces your Selects folder with only the images worth editing.
Step 5: Base Corrections in Your RAW Editor
Open your Selects in darktable or RawTherapee. Group by lighting condition. Apply base corrections to a reference image per group, then sync across the group. Aim for consistent exposure, white balance, and colour across each segment before making individual adjustments.
Step 6: Individual Adjustments
Work through each select individually for creative adjustments: specific exposure corrections, dodging and burning, local colour work. Keep individual adjustment time to 30 seconds to 2 minutes per image — if an image needs more, evaluate whether it is worth the effort.
Step 7: Batch Export
Configure export presets once and reuse them. Standard exports:
- Full-resolution JPEG for client delivery
- Web-optimised JPEG (max 2000px long edge) for online use
- TIFF for print orders
Queue the export, let it run unattended, and review the output for obvious issues before delivery.
Step 8: Archive and Invoice
Once delivery is confirmed, move the shoot folder to your archive drive. Update your project management system. Send the invoice if not already sent. Your working drive is cleared for the next shoot.