The process of selecting your raw photos for editing can be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you work smartly! Have you ever returned from a photography trip with hundreds of images, unsure where to start or how to choose the best ones to edit? Maybe you’ve captured multiple shots of the same composition with only slight variations—so how do you decide which one is the one to edit?
Over the years, I have refined a system that makes this process much more efficient. It consists of three key stages: the first happens in the field while shooting, the second takes place in my tent or hotel room later that day, and the final step occurs at home on my laptop when I’m fully ready to edit. By breaking the selection process into these stages, I ensure that only my best work makes it through to post-processing and that I don’t spend hours agonizing over which photos to edit.
You might be surprised to learn that, for me, the selection process begins while I’m still shooting. I use the Nikon Z8, which has a feature that allows me to rate pictures. Throughout shooting in the field, I periodically review my images and mark my top picks with a five star rating and others with four stars if they are worth considering later. Even if your camera does not have a rating feature you can still record the number of your photo by taking a cellphone pic of your screen of the selected image. This process helps me in two ways:
1. It allows me to analyze my compositions in real time. By checking my images as I shoot, I can determine whether a composition works well or if adjustments are needed. This helps me refine my shots on the spot rather than realizing later that something was off.
In this image taken during our Dolomites Autumn Tour 2025, you can see the star rating system at the bottom of the picture.
2. It keeps me motivated. Knowing that I already have a handful of strong shots encourages me to keep going. By the end of a multi-day shoot, I might already have seven or more photos that I consider portfolio-worthy, which builds excitement for the final editing process.
Step 2: Reviewing in the Hotel or Tent
After shooting, I take time in my hotel room or tent to review all the photos I rated throughout the day. This is where I make my first round of serious cuts. While an image may have stood out in the moment, looking at it with fresh eyes allows me to assess whether it still holds up. If I notice anything I could have done better, then I will consider revisiting that location to shoot again the following day if time permits. But generally I will look at the ratings and compare the images with five star ratings to other images of a similar composition that I did not rate – just to make sure I’ve chosen the best.
Reviewing photos and making a selection of favourites at the end of each shooting day.
Think of this like shopping for a car—when you first see one you love, you might think, Wow, this is the perfect car! But after a bit of time and reflection, you might start questioning whether it’s really the right choice. The same applies to photo selection. By stepping back for a few hours before reviewing my shots, I gain a more critical perspective, making it easier to refine my selection.
During this stage, I eliminate any photos from my favorites list that no longer seem as strong. If a composition isn’t as powerful as I initially thought, I remove it from my final shortlist. This process ensures that by the time I get home, I am only working with images that have truly made and impression on me.
So to recap step 2: at the end of the day, review your chosen photos with fresh eyes and compare them with others of a similar composition to make sure you’ve picked the best one.
Step 3: Final Selection at Home
Once I am back home and sitting at my laptop, it’s time for the final round of selections. I take the photos that made it through my previous two rounds and look at them in Photoshop —not to edit them yet, but simply to view them all on a bigger screen and maybe make small adjustments with the highlights and the shadows just to see what’s there. Since I often capture multiple versions of the same composition, this step helps me pinpoint the absolute best version.
At this stage, I focus on technical quality. I check for:
• Sharpness – especially important for focus stacking.
• Exposure – ensuring I have the best balance of light and detail.
• Composition – making sure the shot is as strong as possible.
If two images are nearly identical, I always choose the one with the best technical execution. Even a minor variation in sharpness or exposure can make a big difference when it comes to final edits.
Selecting the perfect image for editing is much quicker when you have already made pre-selections.
Tips for a Smooth Workflow
Here are a few additional tips to make your photo selection process even easier:
1. Always Start with the Bangers
One of the biggest mistakes photographers make is trying to sift through every single image from the start of their shooting. This is overwhelming and can lead to decision fatigue. Instead, focus on the images you already know are strong—your bangers! Edit those first, and once they’re done, you can go back and explore the rest. I never plug the hard-drive in and go through the photos one by one, I always refer to my list of pre-selected favorites and then I can start editing straight away. It really helps keeps me motivated and removes the possibility of decision fatigue.
2. Don’t Underestimate Cropping
Sometimes an image that doesn’t immediately stand out can become a winner with the right crop. Pay attention to how different framing choices can improve composition and storytelling. Cropping is one of the tools I play around with when first opening all my selected photos in Photoshop just to see if there is something there worth editing. A lot of people are afraid to crop and ruin the image, but often it can really enhance the composition but putting drawing your attention to a focus point and adding framing, so give it a go.
The final crop of this image makes a big difference - it changes the composition and balance.
3. Use Adobe Bridge or Similar Software
While I personally don’t use Adobe Bridge, I’ve heard great things about it. It provides a quick overview of all your photos, allowing for easy comparisons and selections. Using software that simplifies your workflow can save hours of time so I recommend giving it a try and finding what works best for you.
4. Merge Panorama First
When working with panoramas, merge them before you begin your RAW edits. After that, you can choose the best panorama composition and start editing. Merging first lets you see the final image in its complete form, making comparisons much easier. It does take a bit more time to create the merges, but being able to judge the actual final composition is definitely worth it, in my opinion. For useful tips on post-processing a panorama check out this article How to Shoot a Panorama or my online Panorama Tutorial for editing advice
5. Consider Quick Edits
Sometimes a photo catches my eye and I’m not sure whether it’s worth a full edit. In these cases, I’ll do a quick pass in Camera Raw just to see what’s there and whether it inspires me to continue. This approach isn’t meant for comparing minor composition variations—you should already have a sense of whether those compositions work. Instead, it’s for those unexpected images that stand out even though you hadn’t originally planned to edit them.
Final Thoughts
By following these steps, you can streamline your post-processing workflow, stay motivated, and ensure you are only editing your very best images. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by thousands of photos, you will have a clear, structured approach to selecting and processing your top shots.
If you have enjoyed this article on how to select the best photos for editing and are now ready to edit your bangers then check out my Editing Tutorials. Happy editing!
Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.
Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.
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