1. By popular demand…presenting Ming Thein’s Introduction to Photoshop Workflow DVD!
Thank you to everybody who participated in the earlier survey on whether a DVD covering my Photoshop workflow would be useful – it seems that nearly a thousand of you thought it would be, and that’s more than enough justification for me to produce one. I’m just sorry it’s taken this long – commercial work and everything else gets in the way…
However, I’m pleased to announce that the DVD is finally complete and available for sale; it covers:
- A basic explanation of the working environment of Bridge and Photoshop, following CS5.5 (CS3,4, 5 and 6 are similar; I don’t use any tools here that aren’t available in the other versions, so it’s a very flexible workflow)
- A runthrough of the functions of Camera Raw
- My personal workflow – if you’ve ever wondered what my postprocessing process is, or how I get the style and look you see on the site and in my commercial work, this is for you.
- Several end to end processing examples – I’ve picked a number of files that I’d consider difficult or processing-intensive to use as step by step walkthroughs.
- The Camera Raw portion – where about half the work is done – also applies to Lightroom and Photoshop Elements, too. The buttons may be different, but the fundamental principles of tools don’t change between software – dodge is dodge, burn is burn, and curves are curves.
Total runtime is about 1h 15min.
This will be the first in a series of many DVDs in which I’ll spend more time detailing and explaining the various functions of Photoshop and their application to photographers, but it makes the ideal starting point for anybody who would like to get started in serious postprocessing, or perhaps are wondering why their images lack that punch and sparkle.
Please note – for KL residents, happy to do MEPS – please send me an email to make arrangements.
2. Email School of Photography August intake
I’ve now cleared the pipeline somewhat, which means I can take on a fresh batch of students for my Email School of Photography – more details here. It’s a unique, fully-customized correspondence course tailored to your skill level and photographic objectives – learn what you want to learn, at your convenience. So for all of you who were on the fence, now’s the time to sign up.
The course is just US$800 for ten sessions including a detailed portfolio review; once again payable via paypal to mingthein2(at)gmail.com.
Thanks in advance for your support – all these little things help me keep producing content and keep this site running. MT
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Visit our Teaching Store to up your photographic game – including Photoshop Workflow DVDs and customized Email School of Photography; or go mobile with the Photography Compendium for iPad. You can also get your gear from B&H and Amazon. Prices are the same as normal, however a small portion of your purchase value is referred back to me. Thanks!
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Images and content copyright Ming Thein | mingthein.com 2012 onwards. All rights reserved
Ming Thein | Photographer 
I truly and unfortunately have to say, that I’m very disappointed by this workflow tutorial. I’m a long term reader and admirer of your work and I thought I’d give one of your post-processing videos a try, because that’s where I have most of my difficulties in my whole process from taking to printing.
If you start from scratch, I highly recommend this video, not only because it’s good structured and easy to understand, I really like your way of purism. But for me, actually I was afraid of this before – there was almost nothing new. Maybe the procedure on sharpening was interesting. But then, 60$ for a lesson of sharpening – a little much for me. If you’re a long time photographer and know the basics of PS and don’t like art-filters or anything in that corner, maybe go look on a more intermediate lesson. Like you could have imagined, also in photography everybody here puts his pants on the same way.
Best regards
Thanks for your feedback. This is why the video is called INTRODUCTION to PS workflow. However, since you aren’t getting the same results as me, this suggests that you might well have missed something because this is the exact workflow I use…
You don’t have to point out that I don’t get the same results like you. I never claimed that. Well, maybe my feedback was a bit harsh, because I am disappointed. I mean, when it comes to your workflow, there is so much more to consider – like evry kind of background knowledge you have and apply. But also your reply sounds a little rude to me. Well, makes it easier for me to decide wether I will make a purchase in the future again or not.
cheers
No, it’s the truth: you firstly misread the video description, which clearly stated INTRODUCTION. You yourself said “If you start from scratch, I highly recommend this video, not only because it’s good structured and easy to understand”.
It’s also clearly stated that it’s MY workflow, which works for the type of files I put in. It’s also clearly stated PHOTOSHOP, which means that it isn’t the entire photographic process. I still stand by my first comment: the entirety of my core photoshop workflow is contained in that video, and application depends on circumstances and whatever information you put in. All of my photographic background knowledge cannot be contained in a 1h video; we’ve produced 30+ hours and it still doesn’t cover everything because there are so many different shooting situations. I still stand by the product and honestly say that I use that PS workflow to produce all of the images you see here, with some minor modifications for version changes. I really don’t understand what else you expect me to do…
thank you. I will go on… no point in arguing here. For one unsatisfied customer, you will have plenty of others
Outstanding video, I especially love the insight on sharpening. I would love a small update on CS6, if you ever get a chance, especially ACR…
Thanks Toby. I honestly didn’t see anything extra in CS6 that would change the workflow, hence lack of an update…in the end I didn’t bother upgrading myself, either.
Ming,
I received your PS workflow dvd a few days ago and have enjoyed it very much. Though not familiar with Photoshop I look forward to trying out the many techniques you discussed and feel confident it will start me on the right path as I step into the often confusing world of post-processing.
Thanks again,
Joey
Awesome, thanks for letting me know!
Hello Ming,
I have a proposal – what about making the Photoshop workflow DVD available for download (of course paid download)
Btw. thank you for your brilliant site! Big compliment for your work!
Greetings from Vienna,
stefan
..I just saw you wrote: […] everybody who’s been asking for digital delivery of the Photoshop Workflow DVD and Leica M-Monochrom workflow DVD, both are now available as a HD download through the app. There […]
Is the app also available for android? or if not will it be any time soon?
thx!
stefan
Not at the moment, but I’m looking into it. Need to get back the development costs for the first app!
It’s available as a download via my ipad app 🙂
Ming,
After receiving your DVD I installed Adobe Photoshop CS6, never having seen it, camera raw or bridge before. I would not have believed it possible, but thanks to your great instruction on your DVD, I worked my way through bridge, camera raw and successfully processed photos in Photoshop CS6 in just one day and i keep going back to your DVD to learn more. I can’t thank you enough.
You mentioned in the DVD the importance of using a tablet for post-processing work. Could you recommend. a tablet which would work with my Mac PC and Mac version of Adobe PS CS6? And could you point me towards anything you may have written about using a tablet if you have done that?
Thank you again,
Kim
Awesome! Great to hear.
I use a Wacom Intuos4, which has since been replaced by the 5 – not much to say about the tablets other than a) they’re pressure and tilt sensitive, and b) map 1:1 to the proportions of your screen. Once you train your muscle memory, they’re a very fast way of working and give you fantastic control over your dodge and burn brushes.
Thanks. I took a look at the tablets. Sorry to ask one more question, but what size should I get? Kim
Depends on the size of your screen – either small/ medium for laptops, or large for external monitors
Hi Ming..I’m in Ipoh, how much would it cost in RM, postage inclusive, for the DVD to Ipoh Mali 🙂 Perhaps can do an IBG?
Hi Ceasar, it’ll be RM170. I take MEPS/ online transfer – have sent you an email with the details. Thanks!
Hi Ming
Received the DVD with thanks.
Just wonder at 0346 of the DVD, how can I get the Workflow Options appear ?
Thanks
Siew Heng Keong
Thanks for letting me know. Could you be a bit more specific please?
OK at 0446 (instead of 0346) of the DVD there is a window pop out for “workflow options”.
I just wonder how to get this window out so that I can select the color space, depth, size and etc.
Thanks
Siew Heng Keong
Ah, that – click on the underlined text at the bottom that says ‘Adobe RGB… etc’
Hello Ming,
you may have been asked this already, but could you provide a downloadable file/zip instead of the physical DVD ?
Thanks !
Gwen
Sorry Gwen, it’s DVD only for now – the files are enormous as they’re both recorded at actual pixels and aimed at retaining as much of the original subtlety as possible.
Hi Ming, Love your blog and just ordered the PS Workflow DVD. I’m still shoot jpgs but now that I have the wonderful EM5, I’m looking to take a step into the world of RAW and see what I can do with post-processing. Right now I think I am in the ‘b’ category but hopefully one day I will get to ‘c’ 🙂
I really like the clean, uncluttered look of your images – not just IQ itself but concerning subject matter as well. It is a look I am very drawn too and appreciate. I think it must be is very hard to get just right but you do make it look easy.
Thanks, Joey
Thanks for your support and compliments, Joey. Sent you a confirmation email. I think you’re going to find that there’s a huge amount of potential you’ve been missing 🙂
Part of my stylistic approach is compositional – conscious exclusion of things that might be distracting to the frame, as well as selective inclusion of the things that matter – as well as postprocessing. So there are really two halves. Have a look at this article on what makes a good image if you haven’t already done so…
Along with many other articles, I have read the one you mentioned. That’s what I was referring to with the ‘b’ and ‘c’ comment :). I don’t know how you have the time to write so much on this site with everything else you do. It will keep me busy for a long time trying to delve into all the articles.
I got your confirmation email and am looking forward to the DVD.
Keep up the good work and thanks again.
Joey
PS – For those who want to support your work you should put a link to your Blurb books. Unless you already have and I just haven’t found it yet, which is likely as there is a lot to take in here and I haven’t scraped the surface I think. How did those turn out and are you planning on doing any more?
Usual answer – not much sleep!
As for Blurb, I don’t feel that they make sense commercially because they’re either affordable and too light to be taken seriously – simply not enough pages – or too expensive precisely because of the number of pages. And making $5 a book isn’t worth it because you’re simply not going to sell that many of them. I might do a very limited run in the future of a fixed theme, but not for now.
Hi Ming,
Am an ardent fan of your website, and am interested in the Photoshop workflow DVD. Understand that this is purely a Photoshop workflow-oriented DVD, but wonder if the techniques used would equally be applicable for a LR-only workflow?
Understand that the Camera Raw bit would be universal in both LR and PS though. Thanks!
Thanks CK – yes, the ACR bit apples to all Adobe products that use it, but there are PS specific portions – dodge and burn, multiple curves etc that cannot be done with LR. There are workarounds, but they’re crude and do not allow for the same degree of control.
Ming – I placed an order for your DVD by sending you a Paypal payment today. Looking forward to using the DVD. Thank you, Kim
Thanks for your support Kim, I’ve responded via email.
Ming, Of course I am interested in your workflow and everything you might do to a photo after the shot, however, I’m not a fan of Photoshop. I have Photoshop Elements, but have not really found a need to use it. I do everything in Lightroom 4.2 and do not see a need for Photoshop. Just wanted to know what the differences are and can everything be done in LR. Ken
The main things that are missing are full control over masks, dodge and burn brushes, layers, multiple curves and multi-pass sharpening. You don’t always need all of them, of course (and dodge and burn brushes are really the only critical ones).
If these tools, the expanded ones are so important to photo processing, then why would Adobe leave them out or give us watered down version? I know what you mean about the dodge brush, I really like using it to fix things that are not good once in a while. I have no ideal what the multi-pass sharpening would do to help things. I don’t like to over sharpen anything in post processing, that just leads to bad stuff IMO. I don’t do masking in LR, but that is possible with third-party add-ons. I just don’t want to be stuck using Photoshop for everything. The process would take forever given the amount of shots I work with. Next Question: Is Photoshop Elements sufficient for the type of things you are doing in your DVD? thanks, Ken
Hi Ken, the answer boils down to economics. Adobe charges $600 a pop for full fat PS because they can, and because if you use it for every single shot – as I do – the cost is amortised very quickly. I haven’t used elements in a while so I can’t say; but if it has layers, dodge and burn brushes and multiple curves, then yes. And the whole point of the DVD is to establish a workflow make the process as fast as possible – if I’m not having to do commercial grade retouching, I spend less than a minute on each image.
Hi Ming
Just wonder when can I receive the DVD I ordered.
You send by post or DHL ?
Thanks
Siew Heng Keong
Sent by EMS on the 16th of October evening. Should be there any day now – tracking number is RR137276885MY. DHL is impractically expensive, it’d double the cost of the DVD to you 🙂
Thanks
Just sent you money for a dvd. 🙂
Thank you.
Thanks David, will confirm via email.
Hi Ming,
I found it!
Thanks!
Ah – good to know, thanks!
Hi ming,
Just to confirm. Should I send the money to this email mingthein2(at)gmail.com or should it be mingthein2@gmail.com?
Thanks!!
Replace the (at) with the @ symbol; I don’t post the email address openly to avoid spam bots – thanks.
Hi Ming, I successfully transferred the money to your account mingthein2@gmail.com for the photoshop workflow DVD.
I’m excited to get this copy. 🙂 may I know when I can get it so i will have an idea when should I’ll be looking for it in our internal mail in the office.
Here is my email address: nozith27@ yahoo.com
Name: Mike DG
Thanks!
Should take around two weeks – I’ll ship once I get back from Tokyo in a couple of days. Will send out a confirmation to your paypal address too. Thanks!