At the end of he day: How much review?

Spend the weekend at my favorite location shooting river photos. The following week found to my dismay spots on the photos. (dirty lens)

Tried same location the following weekend. Saturday night attempted to review 75 images. Did not have a clue to what or how to review the photos.

Q; Is reviewing your images at the end of the day recommended?
If so, what procedures are recommmended for a quick but thorough review.

Redmond, WA

For me reviewing comes in several stages. I like to do a "light" review at the end of each day, basically a quick scan to see what I got and what I missed in preparation for the next day's shooting. About the only images I ditch at that point are those that are out of focus or terminally boring.

Closer review is time consuming and contemplative, and I don't do a good job if I'm tired from a busy day. I open a folder for really good images and drop those in there as I go along, but it's still little more than a "first" pass, recognizing that the remaining images will take a lot more thought.

The last review I do of the remainders is usually saved for a few days, even weeks, until my enthusiasm for the shooting and the location has waned a bit and I can be much more objective. Frankly if my file of good images from the shoot is satisfyingly stuffed, I may be months or years (sometimes never) in getting back to this set.

The following week found to my dismay spots on the photos. (dirty lens)

I think the take away here is check your gear before going out. This avoids the 'significant emotional event' after the fact.

Whether I shoot digital or film, I always do a quick review. I check for focus accuracy, depth of field, exposure, and general composition. Those that don't make cut line my round file. Those that do are subject to more critical review at a later time.

I think that 'gurgle time' (Hanks' comment sums it up: "The last review I do of the remainders is usually saved for a few days, even weeks, until my enthusiasm for the shooting and the location has waned a bit and I can be much more objective.") is very important.

Personally, my gurgle time and succession of reviews takes a while. Part of my review process is working up the image in Photo Shop because a raw file or a scan file only hints at what the possibilities may be. Since I gear my efforts toward the final print, the image has to sing after all the reviews are completed. If it doesn't, well...

--P.

I use Lightroom, which allows rating, flagging, etc. I Transfer the images the night or morning after a shoot, and sometimes begin rating them. They get an x-flag for rejected if they are oof, or like another but not as well exposed or composed. They get 2 stars if they are merely a record shot (i.e. i.d. that flower later) or I think it's going to be an x-flag but I'm not there yet. They get a 3 stars if they are okay, and 4 stars if Ithey are the best shots and I plan to process them. Then I wait a day or more, look at the 4 stars more closely, do some basic crop, cntrast, etc, and demote a few to 3 as appropriate. Then, usually few more days later, I begin processing them in earnest. Once I've shared via a forum and gotten kudos, they might get elevated to a 5 star, but it's my own relative 5 star rating...not necessarily what anyone else would consider a major winner! I also color code bracketed or focus stacked images purple do a Photomatix session with them. In LR you can filter by stars, color, flags and perform various actions. I used to use red, yellow and green for stop tinkering, keep tinkering, and ready to work on, respectively, but I have given up on that since 4 stars is the same as green and everything is ultimately yellow until it's printed. More info than you probably wanted, but finding a system for this kind of thing is important, and I do find other's ideas here fascinating.

Also, fwiw, I check lenses for dust and smudges before a shoot (it's part of the excitement of my planning ritual), and check once or twice during the day. If anything escaped my notice, I clone it out in post.

Spots on the images are more likely due to a dirty sensor than a dirty lens. Clean the lens then shoot a blank wall or blue sky at f16-22 and check for those spots.

I use Lightroom. Great tool for reviewing, cataloging, and processing. There are several good books available to help you get started with the software.

I can't say how "official" this is, but it works with nerts on the sensor. Before we start any shoot, and often when we change lenses (especially in dusty environments), we spin the shutter speed dial over to B, remove the lens, then point the lens mount straight down. In that position we hold down the shutter release to retract the mirror and give the lens opening/sensor a few quick blasts with an air bulb. This won't get rid of adhering nerts, but it does a remarkably good job of dislodging any that have landed on the sensor since the last blast.

Not all bulbs are created equally for this job. We like the bigger ones that move lots of air, rather than the little cheapies that come from mall camera stores with an attached brush. This one is our pick of the litter. As well as it works, avoid this one if you fly. For obvious reasons TSA will want a close look at your camera bags due to the profile in airport scanners.

Hank, I've been carrying the Rocket Blower (your second link) in my camera bag through domestic and foreign airports for 5 years (3 to 5 round trips per year) and never had it questioned.

" Hank, I've been carrying the Rocket Blower (your second link) in my camera bag through domestic and foreign airports for 5 years (3 to 5 round trips per year) and never had it questioned. "

Wow! It's a sure bet for an inspection in Alaska. I took that in stride, but after checks in Seattle and Denver I replaced it. Gotta keep a close eye on us Westerners, I guess~

Thanks to all for your comments. My next step will be to jump into LR and review the ratings, flagging procedures.