Power Workflow 2 is our biggest seller here at Seim effects and for good reason. All our products are very effective and many users have the complete collection of products, but PW2 is at the core of the super fast yet creative editing workflow that we’re all about. Thank you all for spreading the word and making the Seim Effects such a popular product line.
Version 2.5 has made PW2 that much better with some great new presets and refinements to current ones. This new version something you’ll want in your kit.
It’s a FREE update for current Power Workflow2 owners. If you didn’t get the automatic upgrade email contact me and I’ll get you taken care of. If you’re still using the old V1 of Power Workflow you”re missing out. V1 users are still eligible for an upgrade discount so contact me if you need a code…. Gavin
by Gavin Seim: There’s plenty of info and a video on each product page of this site, but I wanted to make a post giving an overview of how I use Seim Effects in m fast photo workflow and what each collection is best for. I’ve found that having your workflow nailed down makes all the different in creative efficiency.
Power Workflow2: This is my starting editing tool, but certainly not the only one I use. Lightroom used with PW2 is the key to those fast 3hr wedding edit sessions I do. PW2 is a set of about 60 highly refined and organized presets that can be applied with a mousclick to one or thousands of images.
There’s categories, starting with the batch correction Super Series presets. I start my workflow by adding these to large batches of images from my session. This get’s me the basic but essential stuff like exposure, contrast and tone under control. There’s various Super Series presets depending on the shooting situation. Basically I pick the one that looks best for a batch of images and off I go. No rocket science yet. I may still have to do a few tweaks on a few images since no auto tool is perfect, but it get’s me close.
After the auto correction I sort down my images with a 3-5 star rating system. 5 being the best. I’ll then go over my favorite images and add other effects from the set. The Super Series is just the beginning. There’s lots of color and B&W effects to choose from and soon I have a nice variety.
MonoChromatix: Black and white can be so powerful. PW2 takes has some great monotone effects, but MonoChromatix takes it to the next level with a complete set of all monochromtic effects that perfectly complements PW2. When I think an image just looks great in B&W and want to get something really remarkable I’ll try some effects from this set until I find one that’s perfect. There’s everything from classic black and white to sepia, to infrared. I use these to get some really cool B&W looks, and it saves me the time of having to use a plugin in Photoshop.
Creative Essentials: Essentials is a great tool for someone who does not use Lightroom, but also for someone use mainlines in Lightroom and then does those special tweaks in Photoshop like I do. It’s simple and straighforward with some poerful tools.
Once my primary edits are done in LR I head to PS with a few of my favorite photographs. There’s things I can do in PS that just can’t be done in LR. Essentials is a great starter set of actions that includes a nice range of effects from tonal changes to really nice color tones, shatpening and softening effects.
Hollywood Effects: The set that started it all. It’s been thru some tweaks, but the name still says it pretty well. Hollywood and Essentals complement each other really well and when I head into Photoshop I use them both.
In Hollywood you’ll find plenty of cinematic glows, color modifiers and mood setters. Some of them can be intense, but since with my actions I make standard practice of having layers, masks and details, you can easily adjust the way an effect changes your image to get a totally unique look.
I keep a main workflow action set where my actions (as well as favorites from others) are saved in one set. Easy to manage and easy to backup. Then I put the action pallete into button mode and it’s like a console of photo tools a mouse click away.
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That about sums it up. As I work everything stays saved back into LR and when I’m done I just export the final results. Event those not using Lightroom can still move their workflow along much faster by having both action sets loaded and ready to fire.
It’s a complete workflow for Lightroom or PS users that does an important job. Giving us more creativity while making us faster. I’m always working to devise new workflow ideas and improve effects so stay tine. You’re also welcome to contact me with feeback or ideas… Gavin
by Gavin Seim: This started as simply a poll, but I felt it was such a broad and useful question that it needed a poll with a post so you can all post comments and thoughts as well.
Camera bags and cases are personal and important. As photographers we often get pretty into them. I’m always buying bags for various situations and usually spend quite some time deciding, even within one brand.
I’m usually a Tamrac guy, but always looking and have seen some great offering with others. I tend to like backpacks for their versatility, but have some smaller shoulder bags, and have recently been looking at rolling cases. I also use smaller systems for when I’m on the go and need quick access including a Tamrac MAS belt system and recently trying out the Shootsac.
I’ve listed many of the major manufacturers. Start with the poll below and then share in the comments. What’s your favorite bag style for each situation? Why do you like your favorite brand etc. Should be a fun topic.
Spring is nearly here and our sister site Seim Effects has just launched some great deals to kick things off. Check out the site for 20-25% any of their effects.
SE has lots of fans all over the world. Their Lightroom Presets and Photoshop actions work great and they have great service to go along with it.
If you’re not wanting to lay out the moolah, you should also check the freebies section of their site with all kinds of zero dollar goodies.
Our Power Workflow lightroom presets are our most popular tool. Hundreds of photographers are using Lightroom with PW to keep their workflow going ultra fast. Our other presets, as well as the actions are also very popular, and we want your feedback.
I take Seim effects very seriously. I field test my presets and actions while under the gun, and I’m always looking for ways to make them better than before. I was just using some new Presets this weekend while at a wedding, and I’m pretty excited about what we’re working on.
So how could we improve our products. Organization, naming, categories, the way effects are applied. These are all things I try out and think about when working to make updates. What are your thoughts, and what would you like to see made to help us help you improve your editing??
Leave us a comment and let me know, or shoot me an email directly. A appreciate your feedback.
