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25 Batch Processing workflow with NEF files: Fotostation and Nikon Capture 2

 

0. Introduction

Batch processing is a technique to address the photographer's need to execute a critical review of  (for example) thirty or more images from a photo shoot of NEF format files in a rapid and efficient manner. Because NEF format files are unprocessed (only the low-resolution JPEG  thumbnail images are viewable immediately), before any check for focus and composition is made, an a priori conversion to RGB is required. The conversion process can take up to one minute per file, even on a fast (1GHz) computer with adequate RAM. 

To open the files one at a time makes it very difficult to gain an overall impression of the "Take" and to make rapid selective decisions as to which images to discard, which to keep and which to edit. Therefore some method of seeing all of the files at once from a session is needed - just as would have happened had the take been shot on film and edited on a light-box.

Whilst it is impossible to improve the actual file conversion time from NEF to RGB  with a given computer, by organizing the necessary workflow process of moving the files from a CF Card, renaming and creating backup copies and then processing as a background task, an optimal workflow can be created. 

Using the method described below, it takes approximately 3 minutes to copy 250 MB of data (say 60 images from a D-1H) into a computer, after which the card is empty and free for re-use.
A further 20 minutes is then required to complete the processing of these files from NEF format into RGB for critical review. 
Additionally, as the files are converted continuously the first files may be reviewed within the opening minutes of the process. 

When the process has completed, the computer will have a folder of NEF files as a digital "negative" archive, and a folder of identically named JPEG copies which can be selected, edited, and corrected rapidly and efficiently. 

The original NEF files remain available for subsequent individual processing as required on a read-only basis..
  • Basic Workflow Diagram
Step 1: Check, Copy and Clear CF card.
The initial process attends to the need to create a unique identity for each of the images from the Take and to add any common supplementary information such as the Photographer's name, location and general purpose of the shoot.

Fotostation provides the  possibility to rename files and add so-called IPTC text data - supplementary information which is stored within the file and which can be used to search for, identify and retrieve information about the picture, who it was taken by and so on, at a later date. 
IPTC text data can also be read and edited in Photoshop under the "File:Info" menu.

After ensuring that each file on the CF card has a unique name and any supplementary data has been added, the files are then copied to two destinations : one as an archive (called in this case Batch Archive) and the other as a working copy (in a folder called Batch In) from which the JPEG file will be created. This dual copying takes very little extra time and is both an important safeguard and a useful convenience.

The Fotostation File Acquire process allows the CF card to be cleared of files after copying, ready for immediate re-use.

  • Setting Fotostation to Copy from the CF card, deleting the original files to clear the card for re-use


  • Setting Fotostation to copy the NEF files to two locations on the computer hard disk : Batch In and Batch Archive
Step 2: Create JPEG files for Rapid Browsing and Selection
The computer now has two copies of the original NEF files in two separate folders: Batch Archive and Batch In. 
The files in the Batch In folder will be processed into JPEGs by the Nikon Capture Batch process.
The Batch Archive files will be retained as read-only "digital negatives", and can be used for revisiting images that require corrections, in particular White Balance and Color Mode as these can only be performed on the original RAW data. 

The step of changing the Color Mode in step 2.2 assumes that the files were originally shot in Color Mode II. (click here for an explanation of Color modes)

To set the Color Mode for JPEG files, open any image in Nikon Capture to allow the "Advanced Raw" dialogue to be acccessed. Define the Color Mode of the image to Mode I then save the image settings as a .set file. This settings file can then be used in the batch process to redefine the color mode of all the processed JPEG files that will be created in the Batch Out folder.

  • Setting up the Batch process with the Nikon Capture dialogue.
Step 3: Edit and Correct files.
Having created a set of JPEG files for rapid viewing, a method is required to make rapid and confident editing choices on the Take. At this stage it may be convenient to associate the files into an "Album". The album function in Fotostation is a convenient method to reference a number of images without moving them or creating additional copies on the hard disk.

Simply select all files in the Batch Out folder and click on the Album button at the top of the Fotostation light-box window following the dialogue to name and create a new album. Once created, the album can be accessed from the Album shortcut button on the left of the light-box workspace.

 
Create an Album and add files from the Take to it

 
Then use the Shortcut to access the Take for editing

By using the Album feature, more than one Take can be held at any time in the Batch Out folder. When deleting files from an album, a choice can be made to simply remove the reference to the file from the album list or to actually delete the file itself.

To browse rapidly through a take, Fotostation allows the files to be viewed at full screen size in a Slideshow sequence. The slideshow can be run automatically and can be paged back and forwards manually. On the the first viewing, use the spacebar to highlight any obvious rejects (bad focus, composition etc). 

Click Show to start the Slideshow wizard. 

When the Slideshow is exited by pressing the "Esc" key on the keyboard, the selected files will be marked in the lightbox window and can be deleted. 

 A second pass through can then be made to select files for correction again by creating another Slideshow (select all and then click on the Show button) and marking the files by pressing the spacebar when they are onscreen. Note that as it is easy to accidentally select one file and hence lose the rest of the selection, using the "Toggle Tag on Marked Images" option will mark all of the selected images with a visual tag that will ensure that the selection is not lost (to remove the tag, chose "Mark Tagged Images", and then "Toggle Tag on Marked Images" again).

To work through the corrections, find the original NEF file in the Batch Archive folder (it will have the same name, but different extension) and then switch Fotostation to the Drag and Drop view and pop each image one by one into Nikon Capture window where it will open.

 

Less comprehensive editing can be made in the Fotostation Image Editing window by simply clicking on the file without using Nikon Capture. Alternatively, the file can be dragged and dropped into Photoshop. However, note that on Nikon Capture allows the full capabilities of the NEF file format to be exploited, including the possibility to change Color Mode and White balance from the original data. 

After correction, remember to save the original NEF files back in the Batch Archive Folder and the JPEG file in the Batch Out folder.

 

Step 4: Create Job
The Batch Out folder now contains an edited and corrected Take. In all probability there will be several "jobs" created from the take - a few key images, a broader selection, specific themes.  There are many methods to identify files for subsequent grouping, copying and distribution. Adding IPTC text to the file data ensures that the job information is always kept with the file regardless of where it is moved. The Album function creates a useful "handle" (temporary associations) on a group of files without having to make unnecessary copies on the computer which can then be difficult to manage. Alternatively files can simply be copied into new folders for distribution.
As a final stage the complete set of images from the Take in the Batch Archive and Batch Out folders can be copied to an off line CD ROM to save space.

If the files were appropriately captioned with a text or common filename unique to the job,  then Search function of Fotostation will conveniently allow all files from the Take to be associated in an Album, copied and deleted as a group.