| Hi Byron:
I thought I'd wait a few days before I let you know my response to your program. Here it is: FANTASTIC!
I am completely surprised and delighted at just how much benefit I'm getting out of your program. I had been struggling on my own with putting all the elements of a digital workflow together: how to integrate the programs I own (Capture One, Photoshop plus a cataloguing software). I've been a professional nature photographer for over 25 years and was really beat by the process of getting my digital outputs to look and behave like my film stock library. I've invested the last three years, lots of time, lots of money in putting together the system that would suit me. And I still hadn't got there. I really didn't expect your program could offer too much. I was curious more than anything as to how you got Capture One integrated.
Well, I'm am a convert to your "raw digital workflow". Your program delivered so much more than you promised. Your simple solution of how you set up the Capture One folders is genius. That step alone has saved me days, if not weeks of time that I used to spend in the silly folder heirarchy that is automatically generated by C1. It even beats the "simple" solution advocated in the iView podcast (where they recommend how to set up folders for both iView and C1).
Some of your processing tips in C1 are sheer genius, in particular that nifty method of adding black to saturate "difficult" colours.
The fact that you've put out both a movie and a book makes the whole thing really easy to understand.
You recommended using iView Media Pro. I've had a quick look at the program in the past and didn't find it worth converting to it from the one I've been using for 10 years. But after being so wowed by your use of C1, I had another look at iView. Well after a few days of practicing with the trial version, I was convinced. It is so easy. And so quick. I paid for the license right away and I'm just loving it. I've got a big shoot due for delivery to a client and instead of using my existing system, I was able to put your system into use almost immediately, even though I was not yet familiar with iView. I know I've ultimately saved so much time. Just the editing process alone in iView is so easy.
Basically I'm a convert to the BJ system. Rather than just take a few tips from your program, I've decided to set up my workflow exactly as you recommend, with the 5 folders strung across local and external hard drives. I've even named them just as you did; I can't improve upon it. It really, truly is simple. You've made my nature photography fun again! I am reinvigorated. I truly thank you for working out that digital workflow mess (especially for those of us who have to imbed data and do lots of cataloguing and searching) and for making your efforts available to us all.
Big hug from Down Under,
Esther
Esther Beaton Wild Pictures
www.estherbeaton.com
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