Composite Render Elements or Use Adjustments First?

[danb4026]

Typically I open Bridge and bring in all of my render elements into Photoshop as layers. Then I start compositing the various layers ie. reflection, refraction etc.

 

I always question whether I should be doing adjustments to the base layer, ie levels, exposure, curves, etc., before compositing in the rest of the layers. Or should I make adjustments and then begin compositing.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Perhaps this should be in another forum, but since the workflow is max to PS, I posted here.

[dean@pikcells]

is your "base layer" the RGB pass?

[danb4026]

Yes, I make the RGB pass the base layer.

[erickdt]

I would think that you'd want to have all of your layers composited before tweaking. Afterall, you're tweaking your ultimate output. Right? I imagine that would be hard to see/envision unless all of the render elements were composited. No?

[danb4026]

Erick, that is my thought too, unless there is some "trick" or reason to do it otherwise.