Pros and Cons of Farming Out Post-Processing
- Pros and Cons of Farming Out Post-Processing
- Pro: When You’re Just Starting Out in Post-Processing
- Pro: Tapping Into the Talents of Experts
- Pro: Eliminating Post-Processing Workflow
- Con: Less Control Over Post-Processing Choices
- Con: Like All Extra Services, There Is a Cost
- Con: When Time Is Critical
- Summary: Letting Others Do Post-Processing for You
- Recommended Photography Gear<
- When You’re Just Starting Out in Post-Processing
- Tapping Into the Talents of Experts
- Eliminating Post-Processing Workflow
- Less Control Over Post-Processing Choices
- Like All Extra Services, There Is a Cost
- When Time Is Critical
- Expert Tips for Printing Photos
- Photography Services You Need from Your Printing Company
- Beginner Tips for Selling Your Photos
Photo by HDesert via iStock
Choosing to farm out post-processing is a route that many photographers are taking. There are several reasons I’ve heard from various photographers that I know personally who shoot in different genres.
What can you expect from farming out photo post-processing? What are the pros and cons of having someone else do your post-processing? How much will it cost you to opt into this service?
I will show what one photo printing company I use, Artbeat Studios, has available for photo post-processing for your print orders. Plus, I’ll talk about other post-processing ideas, including making yourself available for other photographers. Read on for more info!
Table of Contents:
Pros and Cons of Farming Out Post-Processing
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Pros:
Cons:
Pro: When You’re Just Starting Out in Post-Processing
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An easy pro to see concerning having someone else do the post-processing for you is that it can help out a lot when you’re new to photo post-processing.
As an example, Artbeat Studio uses Adobe Photoshop for much of its in-house image file adjustment. They can use this powerful program to enhance your image files if you don’t think you know the program (or another post-processing program) well enough yet.
They can enhance colors, reduce digital noise, and increase the sharpness level of the image file you upload for them to print.
Pro: Tapping Into the Talents of Experts
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Directly related to the first pro listed, this pro means that your images can be enhanced by time-tested experts in photo post-processing. An expert in post-processing won’t ruin a file by over-processing it unless you have a specific idea of something outrageous to be done.
When a photographer or a photo printing technician has a lot of experience in the field of post-processing, they know what small tweaks can make a huge difference. They can also tell you whether your idea about post-processing will work well. While no one can truly understand your artistic intent, listening to what an expert thinks is a good idea.
Artbeat Studios can consider any special request, from spot removal to custom image manipulation. Just put it in the notes and let them talk to you about it. The same thoughts apply if you hire someone on a website like Fiverr or Upwork for your post-processing.
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Pro: Eliminating Post-Processing Workflow
A big reason why many photographers choose to have a service work on their post-processing is to eliminate or at least reduce their workflow. You may need a service for large batches of post-processing, such as what you might need for HDR real estate photography or weddings.
A few real estate photography companies I’ve worked for have their own proprietary post-processing. If you sign on for that type of gig work, you upload the files based on their specs, and then they do all the other stuff, often also including file delivery.
Con: Less Control Over Post-Processing Choices
Photo by ronstik via iStock
Even when I’ve done a simple shoot and uploaded RAWs, I always think about what I would want the final image to look like. Relying on a service means you have less control over how things turn out, sometimes no control in the case of real estate or wedding editing services.
Using Artbeat Studios for a special print has input channels for communication, letting you specify or suggest certain enhancements or changes. You can also request a soft proof, which adds to the turn-around time and final price.
Con: Like All Extra Services, There Is a Cost
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TANSTAAFL: There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch! If you want something done well for you, I might add that you’ll have to pay for that to happen.
There are different levels of cost. A site like Fiverr might have some less expensive options available. Using the ArtBeat Studios image enhancement option adds to the price of each print ordered. Doing gig work for firms that do their own post-processing means you don’t get paid as much for that type of work.
Con: When Time Is Critical
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As in any business, the saying is true in a photography business: Time is money. If you want something done on your timetable, you should do it yourself.
The same thought holds for photography image post-processing. Farming out any operation adds time. You can make allowances for the extra time, but that’s basically what it comes down to.
Summary: Letting Others Do Post-Processing for You
PHOTO BY ANDREPOPOV VIA ISTOCK
In short, hiring someone else or a firm to do your photo post-processing isn’t a bad idea. You just need to know all sides of the issue and the pros and cons.
Artbeat Studios has a great option for post-processing your image before printing. Look at their YouTube video covering how to order prints from them for more ideas about everything they offer:
If the idea of getting into the gig work of being the person someone else hires for post-processing intrigues you, check into becoming a service provider on Fiverr or Upwork. Remember, the pros and cons of farming out post-processing will apply to you seeking to have it done for you or being the person others hire.
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