Experienced Photoshop users....

[keefeborden]

I spent quite a few hours over the weekend designing my first photo album. The process was slow for a number of reasons, primarily the fact that I'm not skilled at Photoshop. (I did notice that the pages came together more quickly as the work progressed, so I take that as an encouraging sign....).

Anyway, my question is directed to those who use Photoshop well. Once all of the images are processed and ready for assembly, how long does it take you to put together an album of 11 pages (22 sides)? Also, a follow-up question about the workflow.... Do you convert from RAW to JPEG and them assemble in photoshop or use a different workflow?

Thanks, Keefe.

[huxley]

hmmm if i understand you correctly you are creating a photo album to be printed as a book? i have never used photoshop to do this for me. for the simple fact that their are online companies that will produce books for me with easy to use templates. for example i used iphoto on the mac to create a photo album for me a year ago (22pgs as well). once my photos were edited (which took the most time) i created the whole book in about 2 hrs. it was a simple drag and drop method. it took me a long time simply because i was trying out different layouts. im sure photoshop is a fine way of putting pages together for an album, i just prefer to go the easy way. oh and yes i think you will have to convert your RAW files to JPG especially if you are uploading to a printer company online.

[mivy00]

I really enjoy working on albums that said I create mine in photoshop just because it allows me the greatest freedom, quaility, customization over the final product. I take my time so i probably do it slower than most people. But it usally takes me between 5-8 hours

[CobyPhoto]

I use a combination of programs. PS to work the images, then I use YSI to "assemble" and output the Hi-Res PDF's for printing. It is all automatic once you have the pages assembled. YSI also allows you to take a template in to PS and customize it to your needs, or make your own that you can use again and again. (I have a set of 'Traditional' looking templates that I use for clients want that look.)

It boils down to how make albums you produce. One o9r two a month, you probably wouldn't find the expense of a program like or similar to YSI economical. (Too expensive.) I produce a Primary and usually 2 or more secondary albums for a normal wedding; More and more with senior sessions, I am producing albums as well. So several albums a month, YSI or a program silimar is a HUGE asset. Cuts my production time to an hour or so as compared to several hours. Time is money, and the one thing photographers under charge on in this line of business: their time.

CJ

[keefeborden]

I'm grateful for all replies. I finished the album last night after the weekly "prayer session" at Byzantio's .... It was a great opportunity as another photographer showed up with an album from blurb, the printer that I used for the album. I looked it over and had an idea of what to expect. For now, I'll work with Photoshop to make the pages, flatten the images, and then convert to jpeg. Hopefully over time, I'll grow more adept at Photoshop....

Thanks again for the help, Keefe.