X-Equals – image, workflow, technology, business

Before we begin

All of us here at X= have been big believers in using RPG Keys to not only process our client projects, but our own personal work as well. In fact, every, and we mean EVERY image that goes through our workflow(s) leverage RPG Keys.

I personally have had many a debate on the use of a system like this versus the standard keyboard + mouse or tablet + mouse combination alone. I think this model is outdated and far from usable provided you must adhere to a vicious cycle of using the mouse, keyboard, and sliders which introduces a lot of unnecessary distraction and friction to what should be a much smoother workflow.

… an hour saved in the editing of my projects is a multitude of dollars saved in the operation of my business

In short, we’re converts, and it’s not because this system is cool – but because it saves us time and therefore saves us money. To the professional or amateur photographer, this is about leveraging a razor sharp workflow with a tool that adapts to your unique approach to your editing, without requiring you to start over every time you create a new catalog or project.

I’m probably more bullish about this than most but I’ll tell you in my world an hour saved in the editing of my projects is a multitude of dollars saved in the operation of my business.

I’m looking forward to the chance to discuss in the comments below your experience with or questions about this system!

Tim Riley and the folks at RPG Keys are running an extended Holiday Special, so NOW is the time to get back all those lost hours editing, and get back to what you do best – SHOOTING!

Special thanks to Tim for taking the time to answer some questions about RPG Keys and how Photographers should and can leverage this system in their workflow.

What is RPG Keys?

RPG is a workflow solution for photographers looking to spend less time at the computer and more time enjoying life!  The editing process for a high volume studio takes far too long! Adobe’s Lightroom program lacks keyboard shortcuts for its image editing tools, and Photoshop has so many shortcuts it makes the average photographer’s head spin!

RPG LR: This program gives photographers push button access to the editing and navigating tools of Lightroom. With these keys you can edit in the Library mode and the Develop mode of Lightroom without using your mouse to control the adjustment sliders or to activate your favorite presets.

RPG PS: This program gives photographers push button access to the major image editing tools of Photoshop in an organized and effective keyboard layout. Gone are the days of memorizing ridiculous shortcut combinations in photoshop. RPG PS also allows photographers who enjoy using Bridge the ability to rank and preview they images the same way they could using Lightroom.

Where did the idea come from?

When our studio (Riley PhotoGraphic) first purchased Adobe’s Lightroom program, we quickly got frustrated that it was 90% mouse driven. This means that we had to use a mouse to edit our photos rather than key strokes.

Imagine typing a letter using only 1 finger. It is slow! Now consider how fast you can type with all 10 fingers.

The RPG key product was designed so that we could get the hell away from our computer and do what we love. SHOOT!

Editing using a mouse is like typing with 1 finger – RPG is like editing photos with 10 mice at the same time.  It is just so much faster!

We run our studio with an emphasis on profit, and one way to increase profit is to spend fewer hours at the computer and more time networking, marketing, and shooting. The RPG key product was designed so that we could get the hell away from our computer and do what we love. SHOOT!

How do the products integrate into Lightroom and Photoshop?

Well … If I told you this, the cat would be out of the bag … so to speak.

But the basic idea is that our programs increase the functionality of the native Lightroom and Photoshop applications.

• Lightroom’s Library Module: Our keys control the quick develop buttons + grab presets by name.
• Lightroom’s Develop Module: Our Keys control the LR sliders + grab the retouching presets by name.
• Photoshop: Our keys grab scripts and PS actions by name, leaving you the ability to modify our actions to your liking, and leaving you all your F-keys to activate your own actions.

Plus we have the RPG Launcher app which is a major time saver for those people editing in PS on a daily basis.

For a sample workflow video on how Tim uses RPG Keys head on over to their site.

How does a photographer leverage RPG Keys in their existing workflow(s)?

To answer this you must consider the value of your time!

If you worked for someone else, how much would you make per hour?  $20? $40? $50?

As a business owner, this is what you should pay yourself. In my studio I make about $300 an hour when I am out taking photos and about $10 per hour while I am editing. So you can imagine that I am more profitable while I am working with clients taking photos.

The RPG product allows me to edit my client’s photographs faster and focus on the parts of my business I enjoy – marketing and shooting.

As a wedding photographer I have also found that print sales have increased dramatically with my RPG products.

Try this!

If you shoot a wedding on a Saturday & take Sunday off -  Get up early on Monday morning and sit down with your RPG KEY and a cup of coffee. If you are quick like me, you can edit an entire wedding by 1pm and have the photos online by 2pm.  Post a link to Facebook and email the wedding party letting them know the photos are online.

When your stuck in the office editing, you are losing money by the minute.

We post a 48 hour sale to encourage print sales as well.  The idea here is that you want to strike while the iron is hot. On Monday, people are still excited and full of emotion from the wedding.If you can get them to place an order while they are emotionally- linked, you are more likely to get that big order – hence the 48 hour sale.

How can photographers find out more about RPG Ketys?

Check out the RPG website at http://www.rpgkeys.com

Photoshop: MAC and PC users can enjoy a free trial of the RPG Launcher application.  It’s a super simple solution for photographers using PS in their workflow.
Lightroom: PC users can try the new RPG mini LR3 application for free.  Use your number pad and the new RPG mini application to test drive the RPG way of life!

Parting words?

Running a profitable photo business is all about the photographs. The more you are with clients and out shooting, the more money you can make. When your stuck in the office editing, you are losing money by the minute.

GET OUT AND SHOOT!

Maybe RPG can help you with this … maybe not … but the point is the same – learn to edit faster and you will make more money and enjoy your business so much more!

Tim Riley – RPG Keys

Check out some related posts!

1. Lightroom 3 – the new ‘Process’
2. Link Party – Grab a drink and dig in …
3. Print and Onscreen – Color Spaces and ICC Profiles – Part 1 of 2
4. Yield the Wheel – A Lightroom mouse trick
5. Lightroom Speed Tips – Fast, Fun, Easy
6. Snapshots – Versioning Made Easy
7. Smart Is As Smart Does – Photoshop Smart Objects
8. Fixing Perspective in Photoshop – It’s Easy!
9. Lightroom Redux
10. Total Workflow – Your one-stop source