The Output function of these systems is where much of the heavy lifting gets done, and the utilization of presets and “recipes” for processing is a feature that, in a high-volume workflow environment, is essential. Most, if not all, applications have an option for using and saving settings and presets, although many amateurs and professionals may not use them or even be aware of the leverage and speed they afford. Many simply don’t need such a standardized output formula, but in a production environment it’s the norm, rather than the exception.

Starting with Leaf Capture, here are the choices through the “Process” tab.

Process Module in Leaf Capture
 

The cropping and sizing options can be found in the first sub-tab, the color management options in the second, and the file management in the third. The various options within these tabs are able to be saved as presets and then applied when appropriate.

Once the required settings are selected, the process begins by hitting the gear-shaped button in the toolbar, and the processing is sent to the queue at the bottom of the window.

Processing Queue in Leaf Capture

The Leaf process is a bit convoluted for our taste; it’s confusing trying to figure out exactly what you’re asking for and when. There’s no single, self-evident button, tab or pulldown for applying all of the settings or any combination of them for selected images. The Hasselblad system is similar in that respect; let’s take a look.

To start, when you’re bringing images into Phocus you have the option of tagging them with processing treatments right off the bat. All the settings information is at the tab front and center in the software, and when you import images into the working folder you get this screen.

Importing and Tagging in Phocus

This is what it looks like in Standard mode.

Standard Import in Phocus

Export Queue in Phocus
 

The Hasselblad system is based on individual settings, and saving those as presets. You can see most of the output choices on the main Export menu, and you can keep track of everything with the Adjustments browser. There you find the factory presets, your User settings, any previously embedded settings and the current settings in place with the file.

Adjustment Settings in Phocus

To activate the processing you hit the Export button, here, and you get the file management options.

 

Export button - Phocus
 

Importing and File Management in Phocus

Here’s where you get your output options, under Edit, and can customize the formats, size and color settings. This, by the way, is straight out of Apple’s Aperture, from as early as Ver. 1 - the idea of making presets for output after the Export button is pushed, rather than as a template for a batch invoked from the main workspace.

Output Preset Options in Hasselblad Phocus
 

This seems a little more organized and intuitive than the Leaf system, however still fairly inelegant. Take a look at Phase One to see what we mean.

Here’s the main Phase One processing panel with the various sub-tabs arranged the way we like them. The processing controls are organized logically, and like Leaf, on a tab at the far right of the toolbar. Phase One uses the idea of a “Process Recipe” - an idea that fits very naturally within the workflow of a commercial studio. Rather than saving individual settings, we can create and save groups of settings, and see and select them very easily and intuitively.

Phase One Capture One - Main Processing Panel
 

Consider for a minute how most studios need to work. At the very least, you have a set of file delivery standards - tried and true requirements for giving clients files for the web, for presentations, for print and any of the other fairly standard requirements and usages. Then, of course, you have your regular clients and their individual needs and desires.

The Phase One strategy allows the studio to establish very clear, preset processing strategies and implement them easily, whether they are strategies built for the studio or for individual clients. This shot shows the various settings logically organized with the “Recipes” tool at the very bottom. You can, quite literally, make a set of recipes for specific purposes and even specific clients.

"Recipes" in Phase One Capture One Pro

This seems to be a far superior handling of batch processing and presets. Beyond the obvious, keep in mind the fact that many studios use a large percentage of freelance production personnel too. At a glance, your production people can see what you have, what you use, and how you implement it.

Once you hit the “Process” button (in the Process Summary tool) it sends the file to the Queue, the very last button on the far right of the main toolbar.

Phase One Capture One Pro - Processing Queue

This is the final result of a very logical workflow, and, by the way, the very same logical workflow that Phase One started out with. The simple layout of buttons starting with the logical progression of a shoot, from file and folder management to camera settings, image adjustments, sharpening, scaling, cropping, metadata management and then output, along with output presets and batch processing all contribute to a solid, reliable and organized workflow. In a sense, the Phase One system will impose a good workflow on even the most disorganized photographer, even in spite of bad or sloppy habits. For that reason alone, the Phase One software has an impressive reputation.