Clean Processing

[Sue Morris]

Hi Damien, just a quick clarification about clean processing. I thought it meant just raw processing but from the article I just read here http://www.damiensymonds.net/2012/09/what-is-clean-processing.html  I now get the impression that you want us to do some PS work on the photo as well. Just putting back some local contrast using levels and maybe some saturation??

[Damien Symonds]

Hi Sue, yes, a properly clean-processed photo needs both good raw processing, and good Photoshop editing.

Is it as simple as ...

5 minutes ago, Sue Morris said:

putting back some local contrast using levels and maybe some saturation??

... maybe, maybe not.  Every photo is different.  Some need a little, some need a lot.

I'm not sure what you meant by this:

6 minutes ago, Sue Morris said:

I now get the impression that you want us to do some PS work on the photo as well

What "I want" is for your photos to be the best they can be.

[Christina Keddie]

And just to clarify, in case this is where you're getting confused -- SOOR still means simply "straight out of raw," that is, with all your raw processing done but no PS work. 

Damien will often ask for the SOOR when helping with editing questions.  And he might ask for the clean-processed version when helping with artistic style editing questions.