WHICH FORMAT DO I USE?
As a photographer I have two choices in how I shoot my image files. The first option is jpeg where the file size is much reduced and ALL of the processing is done automatically by the camera/phone. Straight out of camera/phone the sky blues are deeper, the greens are richer, the contrast is stronger and the photograph is immediately pleasing to the eye with zero input or effort required from the photographer. Easy. Occasionally I read photographers' proudly proclaiming that they've just taken their stunning shot 'straight out of camera'. The implication being they don't need to use any processing. This is nonsense, the processing has already been done for them..! Differences between jpeg and raw explained
The 2nd file option and the one I choose is known as 'raw' which is effectively a digital negative. The file size is not reduced and ALL of the processing has to be done by the photographer. A raw file is a flat, binary, digital file which HAS to be processed to give it life, presence, dynamism and visual or emotional appeal that can be presented as finished work. Not easy. Processing or editing raw files is a skill of its own and needs to be learned almost as much as photography itself itself (the technical stuff) and the two go hand-in-hand in the world of the digital photographer.
Another 'skill' of course is the creative side but this is not the subject here even though it is clearly the MOST important aspect of photography.
WHY DO I CHOOSE TO SHOOT raw?
Because it's all my own work, as simple as that. And the raw image files hold more data than jpeg files which means that (for example) shadow detail that would otherwise be lost can be retrieved (not added) to make a more pleasing final photograph. And bright highlights may be toned down to produce a balanced exposure.
WHAT DO I USE TO PROCESS MY IMAGE FILES?
I input my photos from my camera card to Adobe Lightroom and edit them using this software alone. I have never used Adobe Photoshop but many photographers still do. As time goes by however the need for reliance on Photoshop for some aspects of processing has become less and less. Almost to the point of redundancy.
DO I EVER USE COLOUR FILTERS?
No. Occasionally I still use ND grad filters for darkening skies to balance with the foreground for a good exposure but Lightroom itself now offers a digital solution.
DO I EVER 'DOCTOR' MY PHOTOS?
As someone once asked :)
I 'edit' or 'process' my images as described above. Another benefit of shooting raw (for me) is the edits are non-destructive and the raw file can always be re-accessed and processed again from scratch. My mood at any given moment may affect the way I process my photos. The subject matter may also influence my processing. A quiet, calm, misty morning scene might be processed very lightly with subdued colours and negative clarity. A stormy sunset might result in an image being processed more robustly with greater colour saturation and heavy contrast.
ARE THERE ANY RULES ABOUT PROCESSING?
No, you can do what you like. Unless you are submitting your photo in a competition and then the rules of the competition apply.
DO I USE PRE-SETS?
No I don't. Or rather if I do use pre-sets they have been created by me and only me. I don't use the pre-sets that are provided by Lightroom either. I start from scratch with each raw file. All my own work you see.
DO I CHANGE SKIES OR ANYTHING ELSE?
Absolutely not. That's 'painting by numbers' as far as I'm concerned and no self-respecting landscape photographer would entertain the idea. An illustrator might use them in web design etc but that's all I can see being acceptable.
DO I CLONE OUT PEOPLE OR HOUSES, CARS, TREES ETC?
No I don't. I'd rather step 10 feet to one side and take another shot or not bother taking the shot at all. I once cloned out a girl's pink sandal that was on a rock in a river and in the way of my photograph but that's about it.
DO I EVER OVER-EXAGGERATE MY PROCESSING?
Yes I have done but as I improve my skills in Lightroom I have learned to look again (and again) at a processed image. I often tone things down but inevitably I don't always get it right.
IS MY WAY THE ONLY WAY OR BEST WAY?
For me yes. For others not necessarily. Every photographer must make their own decisions - it's their photography and there are no rules other than if entering a competition.