for the love of processing

I love taking pictures….. and I love processing. In fact, I would say it's a LOVE-LOVE scenario. 

It's a process for me. I imagine a photo, set up the 'scene', click the pic….then off to my computer to finish the vision. I may do just a few tweaks, or I might take it even further….edit, effect, texture, and even type. This is my way of making art…without using my paints and brushes.

I dove into photography and photoshop at the same time. I took my first few photos, then moved immediately into photoshop. I wanted to apply textures to my images. In fact it was because of the textured images I was admiring online that I picked up my camera in the first place. It seems a little backwards when I think of it now. Eventually I began to learn the other pieces of photoshop and grew to love everything about processing.

A few years later, along came Lightroom! It's been life-changing... at least creatively speaking. I often wonder what I ever did without it. Thanks to Lightroom's catalog feature my images are now organized and easily accessible; something I thought may never happen. I can crop, edit and so much more; quickly and efficiently on several images at once. It's quick, painless and completely non-destructive. Lightroom also works beautifully with photoshop/elements. It really is an incredible program. 

Where do YOU fit in all of this? Lightroom, Photoshop, another editing program….or no thank you; editings not for me? Share with us today.

Today we are giving away a space in my new Lightroom class, Round Trip - from Lightroom to Photoshop and back again. The next session begins on January 15th. To enter, simply leave a comment under this post before Thursday at midnight EST for your chance to win a complimentary space in the Round Trip Class. Even better, double your chances by joining our mailing list. The winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

Comments

[Janelle]

I have photoshop and lightroom, but I know I do not use either to their full abilities. This sounds like a wonderful course.

[Caryn]

My post-processing skills are sadly lacking. I would love the opportunity to take your Lightroom class!

[Gail]

Would love to take this class!

[Janet]

I would LOVE to take this class!

[kathleen]

I am pretty good with Photoshop, but can always learn more. I am clueless about Lightroom, so this sounds like a wonderful class for me.

[Shu]

Interesting trajectory, Kim. Love your textures. I've learned Photoshop through trial & error with some direction from technicians in university computing centres, to process photographs as needed. My knowledge is spotty. I've bought Lightroom 4. Haven't opened the box yet.
Always eager to learn. Shutter Sisters is an inspiring site.

[Marcie]

I love the post-processing process. I do all of mine in photoshop..but would love to learn lightroom:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/12/9/miracles-of-kindness.html

[rakusribut]

wow, kim, your class might be just what i need at this moment..:-()
my journey has started with web design, then photoshop, then photography and iphoneography, then Lightroom (inspired by David Duchemin) and i have just recently embraced photoshop again.... would love to join you on your round trip :-()
here's my most recent creation (a cd cover for 365 project's album challenge)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rakusribut/8258466615/in/set-72157632214292632

[Becs]

Love your image here. I think for me, photography is a lot about expressing a feeling or emotion through an image so I'm happy to use whatever post processing enhances that. I'm also increasingly loving all the iphone art you can do with the many apps there. So much possibility and so much fun!

[Anne Littlebird]

I would love to learn Lightroom. It's on my Christmas list so I am hoping Santa will be good to me this year.

[Karen]

I would so love to take your class! I have lightroom and I'm trying to learn it through youtube videos and just trial and error! I love being able to enhance photographs to make them more "mine"! Here's an attempt,,,I know I can do better, I just need someone like you to show me how!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80357694@N06/8261146140/in/photostream/

[Bettye Rainwater]

I *love* post-processing (and, of course, photography)! I've been blundering along with Photoshop, mostly using automated things like actions and curve presets. But I see such amazing things happening all around me in processing, and I. Have. No. Idea. How. To. Accomplish. It. !!! I don't have Lightroom now, thought I could live without it (and I'm sure I COULD), but I'm hearing more and more what a life- and time-saver it is, and who can't use a little Life- and Time-Saving!

I would be so happy to take this class and learn from you.........

happy holidays.

bettye

[Gabriele]

Having a class for Lightroom sound invigorating. I use Photoshop Elements.

[Diana Proemm]

Would love to take your class!

[anita]

I would love to participate in this class. Love your classes.

[Katie]

I have photoshop but I am such a beginner, I love it though and I love the look that it gives images on my blog www.mummmydaddyandmemakesthree.co.uk. I agree that photography is like an art for me, I love what it entails and I love everything about it.

[Anne Camille]

My journey started when I asked for a camera for Christmas 3 years ago. I had been thinking a simple point-and-shoot, but Santa brought me a DSLR and 2 lenses. A photo-taking monster was unleashed! But, I have shied away from post-processing until a few months ago when I decided to bite the bullet and learn to use the PS Elements 8 software that I had. Absolutely love it! I just discovered how to use a texture a few weeks ago and I am hooked! I've been focusing my shooting on finding interesting things that I can turn into a texture -- some have been laughable failures and some have been surprising successes, but I'm learning all the time and it is so much fun. As for my photographs, I've learned to be a ruthless deleter, something that I wasn't when I first started. I have so many photographs, many not worth saving, none of them tagged or organized in any manner other than by date. Lightroom seems like a lot to take on right now but I know I need something like it to manage the chaos that is my photo catalog. It may be that the task of conquering the uncataloged is what is intimidating, not the software! Maybe if I can learn one, I can attack the other next!

[Caro]

Oh, this is exactely, what I need. I just good PS and LR and I don't know really know how to use it....

[Monica]

I use Lightroom, but I have a LOT to learn. I've only started using it a few months ago and am still wading through the new territory.

[life in eden]

I love editing. When I was younger I spent HOURS in a darkroom. I love the power of transformation that comes with editing. But definitely need a little brushing up on making LR and PS work together!

[Jen]

I love Lightroom!! This is a great giveaway. Thanks! :)

[Janette]

This is the course for me! I edit my photos in Elements 10, but I know I could do more and do it better using Lightroom. I have Lightroom 3, but just never got the hang of it, so I haven't been using it at all. It's something I would love to learn!

[Nancy K]

I would love to win a place in this class for my husband to become more comfortable with Lightroom!

[Erika]

I am using Lightroom and Photoshop Elements. I took the first round of Round Trip and loved it! I now wish I had signed up for the extension because not everything really sunk in before the class ended (although I thought it had). Thank you for the chance to win another round.

[MARIE PALCIC]

love photoshop, thanks to you, kim! very interested in Lightroom because i have a bazillion pics and cannot organize them well. that can get overwhelming...
i spend hours editing - it is what i live for these days. i think i shoot to edit :)

[Kathleen]

Would love to also take this class. This is actually the next step for me along my journey. I love to shoot, have been honing my skills in manual for the last year. Now, I need to make the plunge into processing my images but am so lost as whether to get Photoshop or Lightroom.

Anyone's thoughts or ideas for a start like me would be very much appreciated.

[patricia]

I love the post processing aspect of photography. Plus I have LR on my computer, but haven't had the nerve to use it. One of my goals for this winter is to start get started.

[Chelle]

I like all that talk about LR being quick & organised..I've been contemplating buying It..this could be the push & of course I'd love to learn it from you Kim!

[Rhiannon]

Fingers crossed!! I need the help!

[Pam]

I've heard a lot about Lightroom and I love to learn and be creative. I know I would really enjoy this course.

[darlene]

I Need to learn how to be quick and organized in LR - i use photoshop but am so unorganized LR has seemed overwhelming to me. I missed the earlybird deal but will get in after Christmas - i would honestly love to win it since I learn so much from your post and other courses.

[d smith kaich jones]

i started in this business as a photo retoucher. by hand. old school. for me, it was so much more fun than the actual picture taking. lol! when i finished school & began to paint, i learned to incorporate my painting skills into my retouching. eventually photoshop reared its beautiful head and i found my creative voice through writing, using photography to help tell my stories. a perfect marriage of everything.

here's a recent shot from a christmas parade - not of the parade but of the building facing me. not as much post processing as i'd originally thought it would need, but a bit. it is still fun.

http://www.emmatree.com/2012/12/advent-evening-2-it-was-awfullest.html

[Gale Wall]

I purchased LR4 this year and need to learn how to use it and PSE10 together. Working on organizing my images in the LR catalog with keywords!

[Maureen]

I've been on PSE(now 11) for a couple of years and now really feel like I've got a good grasp of it. I do know that there's a lot I still don't know or know how to utilize. I'm a strictly iPhone4S photographer and can now get Lightrroom at the student rate. There is some perk to being old enough to take exercise classes at the Senior Center and be considered a Community College Student!

[Beth]

I am the second shooter for a photographer, and this is growing into a photo editing job as well. I've been teaching myself lightroom for the last month and loving it, but feeling limited by my own capabilities and lack of knowledge. I hope I'm as confident as you with it one day soon.

[Debbie]

I would LOVE LOVE this!! Wishing on a star for a dream come true!

[Marilyn Johnson]

I use photoshop right now but would love to learn Lightroom. Your photo is beautiful and oh, how I yearn for a "quiet life" right now!

[Misty]

Oh WOW! I am in the process of learning CS6, and as I use Lightroom for everything, nothing could be more perfect for me right now. Thank you so much for the chance to win a spot.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

Would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to take this class!!

[Carey Davis]

I have crude lightroom skills, even less in PS, but I keep learning a little more here and there. :)

[Tosha]

I love both Lightroom and PS! And I know I've bear;y scratched the surface in using them to their full potential....this class sounds awesome!!

[Marl1's Images]

I would love to follow your Roundtrip class, Kim!
I've already taken some of your classes and to anyone who doesn't know yet: Kim's classes are Great!!

Ok, that's one reason, the other one: I use Photoshop and Lightroom, I can help myself, and whenever I need to know something, I search till I find... but that's sometimes a long route.
Plus, I recently switched from PS4 to PS6 and from LR2 to LR4.... a little help, practical tips and tricks would make my editing life a lot easier, with more time to shoot.

Marleen.

[Lashawn]

I would love to take this class!

[Amanda K]

I am not a fan of post-processing, because I prefer natural photos and also, I am somewhat lazy. The less time I spend on the computer, the better. However, I find myself needing to learn Lightroom to keep up with the competition. I would love to take the course!

[Rachel]

Wow -- would love the chance to win this. I love photography but have never stepped into the post-processing arena. Partly due to time to learn, partly due to price of the software and then classes to learn it, and partly because I don't know yet if I want to post-process. If you've never done it, how can you know if you enjoy it or not? That's why I think an online class would be an excellent starting point for me.

[melody]

Kim ~ I posted today on IG about my love of your art and soul. This image is another inspiring work. And to win a space in your class would be awesome! ox

[Carol E.]

I'd love to win a spot in your round trip class ... I have lightroom, but don't use it as I have no idea what I'm doing, so I keep plugging away in photoshop. Would love to be able to use them both!

[joanna]

I have been wanting to jump in to lightroom. i have only edited with picasa ( feel shameful) :)
Would love to win.

[xo leah nicole]

I have Lightroom and PSE. Love LR, but I think it's because I've felt so overwhelmed by PS (thus never wanted to own the full version). Even with PSE, I only use it for things that I must do -- like extend the canvas on a piece for printing. Just the basics for me. Would love the opportunity to learn more about either/both!

[Nikki Studt]

Oh how amazing an opportunity this would be. I would love to be considered for a spot in the Round Trip course. It would definitely brighten this dreary holiday I've been handed with continued serious health drama with my little one. Do they have a texture for that? =) Keep doing what you're doing girls, we are all so appreciative! xo Nikki