Post Processing Companies

[jon_patrick]

<p>Hi All,</p>

<p>I am looking for a Company that can do my post processing. I work using Lightroom so that is a definite must. I want color correction, crop and alignment, and exposure. If they could cull the photos that would be great too. After the edits are complete I would like to receive them in the original format that way I can make small changes in lightroom if I would like.</p>

<p>I look forward to hearing all of your suggestions.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,<br>

Jon</p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>Having post-processing done shouldn't be an issue as long as you can collaborate closely so they understand your style well. I would, however, never ever outsource culling - the photos that do get published and sent to the customer are those that represent you, as a photographer. So it seems to me absolutely essential that you choose those photos yourself.</p>

<p>Anyway, there are business specialising in doing this, but from all I've seen they tend to be tailored more towards the high-end part of the market, dealing with limited amounts of images which need careful brush-ups in Photoshop; not high volume work in LightRoom. Probably you'd be better off searching for a competent amateur/semi-pro in your region which has Lightroom, with whom you can personally set up a proper way to share work and (initially) work together to come to development recipes that suit your style, and pay this person a decent fee per job. It still requires an initial time investment from your side, but I think you'll be better able to keep control and build a mutually-profitable and pleasant working relationship.<br>

If that same person also knows his way around InDesign/Quark or something like that, you could kill two birds with one stone.</p>

[john_thurston5]

<p>Asking for an external Post house to do your Lightroom work and then return it to you in Lightroom format presents enormous logistical issues. Your entire Job session Library and LR Catalog would most likely have to be physically transported, rather than transferred over the net, as depending on the number and size of Raw files and with the Previews, that amount of data could be enormous.<br />A portable External drive could handle that task, but could also lead to ending a duplicate in case of physical damage. The tab is quickly adding up.<br /><br />But it sounds like you just need to hire an onsite Digitech qualified and trained by you to do the initial processing to your "look. You could expect to pay anywhere between $20-$75/hour for a competent and efficient Digitech depending on the going rate in your area.<br /><br />I think you are best off economically learning to do it yourself quite honestly.</p>

[William Michael]

<p>When we cut over our W & P Studio to Digital (2004/5) I employed a specialist Digital Post Production person, she was a student doing an undergraduate degree in Digital Media – not that that got her the job – but it meant that she could work on site at odd hours to fit in with her studies and, for her, as well as money in her pocket it was experience hours being chalked up on her CV - so as a busness proposition it was a good win/win.</p>

<p>As already mentioned, there are many third party businesses which provide a post production service – a simple web search will provide a truckload – and with the easy of file transfers it doesn’t matter if they are located across the other side of the world.</p>

<p>However, my point is - you might consider how the aforementioned business model could be useful to your business. I found that having someone whom I could talk to face to face (especially initially) allowed me to very quickly instruct apropos the nuances of the outcomes that I required. Having a specialist Digital Post Processing Person seemed to me a natural progression from dealing with a Specialist Darkroom Technician, for several years who was the only tech who printed our proof rolls and final hand prints.</p>

<p>I am very much in favour of the advantages of face to face rapport to achieve a precise menaing and understanding of the outcomes which are required.</p>

<p>WW</p>

[jon_patrick]

<p>Hi All,</p>

<p>Thank you for the help. I'm sure this thread will not only help my company, but also help others looking for the same thing in the future.</p>

<p>I will look for someone local, but am still on the lookout for a company that specializes in this. I have worked with a local girl in the past, but the quality wasn't always consistent. I have seen some small editing companies before, but forget the names. If anyone knows of a larger company, or one with a great reputation that would be awesome!</p>

<p>Also, I have a similar thread that hasn't had any posts yet, it seems this one has got all the attention. If anyone knows of a good album design company that would also be great. I really cannot stand designing albums. I do a great job at them and constantly get over the top compliments on how well I have the story of the day flow. I don't find it very difficult, rather just common sense, yet everywhere I look has tacky albums with little creativity. Are there any quality album design companies out there?</p>

<p>Again, thank you for all of the advice.<br>

Jon</p>

<p> </p>

[Uhooru]

<p>I don't have any one to recommend, but some web searching should locate some good people with good recommendations. BTW, its not at all unusual for very busy photographers to farm out the post. Joe Buissink comes to mind as one successful wedding photographer that doesn't do his own post-processing at least according to a talk he gave I attended, and of course many wedding and event photographers use 2nd shooters and assistants. You should be able to find someone or a company that will do a good job for you.</p>

[katrin_d.]

<p>I use Lavalu based on a recommendation by Jerry Ghionis' wife - it's the company they use and I've been nothing but excited. You simply upload your files, give them your editing preferences, and with each order, you can have sample edits delivered so you know exactly what the final wedding is going to look like.<br>

<br />Even during peak season, their turnaround is around 7 days. I get jpgs back because I use Aperture, not Lightroom but if you're a LR user, you have the option to specify which version you use and they'll send you back the xmp files for faster transfer and show you how to apply them. Super work and worth every penny.<br>

<br />Back in the days of film, everybody who didn't develop their own films outsourced by having a lab develop. Nothing new, only now it's digital. </p>

[djphoto]

<p>I am glad to recommend Chad at http://www.happyfishdesign.com/. Check out his web site.</p>

<p>Dave Jenkins</p>

[mark_harrington1]

<p>Everyone has a unique skill set. Some can sing quite well but can't play a note on any musical instrument. Many of the greatest photographers still have lighting technicians, retouch artists, art directors etc. I think its extremely narrow minded to think that a photographer has to be an expert in all areas of photography. Besides, even if the OP knows intimately every aspect of taking and delivering a perfect image, it doesn't mean he likes every aspect or has the desire to do so. </p>

[amanda_vella]

<p>Hi Jon, have a look at <a href="http://www.editretouch.com">editretouch.com</a>. They are great at getting back with any queries and they have a pretty great turnaround. They mainly edit weddings but they only take a select number of photographers so that they can focus on giving them great service.</p>

 

<p><i>Moderator's Note: Amanda has informed us:</p>

<p>"The company is run by a friend of mine - her husband is a professional wedding photographer and she does all his editing work and also does some work for other photographers."</i></p>

[blazej_plusa]

<p>Hi Jon,<br>

<a href="/photodb/user?user_id=8465033">John Thurston</a> has raised concern, that the amount of data that would have to be exchanged would be enormous.<br />It used to be a problem in past, but Smart Previews function in Lightroom 5 solves this.</p>

[michelle_austin]

<p>Hi Jon,<br>

Enhance Weddings is a boutique style retouching agency.</p>

<p></p>

<p><blockquote>Moderator Note; This post has been edited, pending clarification from the author.</blockquote></p>