Sergy Manko wrote:
What do you think works best?

Not surprisingly, it depends on the image (among other things). Example: If you're dealing with skin that has color problems -- uneven hues, blotches, etc. -- it makes sense to do color correction first, because that might resolve some of those color problems.

Sean Baker Photo wrote:
Almost always best to do it at the end -- when you've done a good job, it brings the image together.

I agree! I always do my color after as well.

Koray wrote:
cleaning and smoothing etc. comes first always for me...then it gets complicated

+1

Once I was badly stuck because I did color corrections before I started retouching on a project, I took a vow since then that I'll never do it before.

Now I do color corrections before but keep those layers on top of everything so I don't get stuck if client doesn't like the colors.

Sergy Manko wrote:
The reason I like to do it at the begining is because it helps me to visualize the finished image much better, and also help not to go overdo retouching.

So why flatten it? Just use adjustment layers above the actual image.
Thats what I always do and like was said before - it helps to do the rest of the images from the same shoot.

Nienna1990 wrote:

So why flatten it? Just use adjustment layers above the actual image.
Thats what I always do and like was said before - it helps to do the rest of the images from the same shoot.

I never flatten it. I use adjustments layers as you said. I'm just saying I do color grading before retouching

Sergy Manko wrote:

I never flatten it. I use adjustments layers as you said. I'm just saying I do color grading before retouching

Well if your doing it just so you could see some kind of an "end result" , I dont see whats the problem
I do it too, it does help -for motivation and inspiration to see what you will have at the end. Because, lets face it - colors are just as important as skin texture if not more.

Nienna1990 wrote:
So why flatten it? Just use adjustment layers above the actual image.
Thats what I always do and like was said before - it helps to do the rest of the images from the same shoot.

*Edit*
Never mind! I see you saw that already, and you're using adjustment layers too.. Good! But oops on my part.

Terrence Jones Photo wrote:
I have a question, I have been searching the internet for the answer for days.  The old rule was color correct > retouch > Color Grade.  I've noticed many people color grading in camera raw before going into photoshop. If your images are not color corrected straight out of the camera, when do you color correct and retouch your photos?
I must be missing something.

I think a lot depends on HOW someone is colour grading...

I'd suggest that those that do the artistic colour grading in RAW might be doing so to avoid all of the image banding and artifacts, etc, that can creep in when you do major shifts later.  In THAT scenario, it might make sense to start with the colour grading in RAW and move from there.

However, if you're using LUTs for your final colour grading, you're using a colour by colour direct replacement table. So assuming that you have a well designed LUT to work with (important) with smooth colour shifts, doing it as the final step would not cause those kind of problems.

I'd suggest in that kind of scenario (using good LUTs for colour grading), you'd still be better off with what you called the "old rule":  Getting your basic colour balance (including skin), exposures and the starting points for your shadows and highlights, etc, all up front in RAW.  Then do all of your retouching, etc, until you end up with a "clean" version of your final image.  Then add the final artistic steps, colour grading and vignetting, etc.

A future change is most likely going to be in terms of colour grading / artistic treatments.  If that's done last, you'll still have your completed "clean" version of the image to resort back to.

I'll leave it to the real retouching experts, but I'd suggest that in many cases, maybe the "old rule" may just still be the way to go.