Here's how my workflow has developed. I've tried to describe how it has changed since I acquired the EOS 20D in December 2004.
I'm always working with RAW, except for some
very quick conversions of snapshots for web.
Workflow version 1.0:1) Copy images from CF card(s) to the harddisk, using default folder names
2) Preview and pre-adjust images in Canon DPP
3) Batch convert keepers to TIFF and export to PS 7
4) Do whatever processing is necessary in PS 7 (no NR at that time)
5) Convert to web format using "save for web".
Workflow version 2.0:1) Copy images form CF card(s) to two different computers, using default folder names
2) Preview images in Adobe Bridge, mark potential keepers with colours
3) Open 5-10 keepers at a time in ACR and pre-adjust
4) Open and process the same in PS CS2 (NR and sharpening as needed)
5) Convert some to web format using "save for web", some in batch using Cygwin (or Unix/Linux) with ImageMagick
6) Spend more time with candidates for print (often saved as PSD)
7) Go to step 2 until done
Workflow version 2.1:1) As in version 2.0, except that folder names now are on the form "YYYY-mm-dd location"
2) - 4) As in version 2.0
5) Use "save as" in JPEG for web candidates
6) - 7) As in version 2.0
Workflow version 2.2 beta:1) As in version 2.1
2) - 3) As in version 2.0, except with Raw Shooter Essentials
4) - 7) As in version 2.0
AbandonedWorkflow version 2.3 beta:1) As in version 2.1, but three computers (new Mac)
2) - 3) As in version 2.0, except with Capture One Pro for Mac (demo)
4) - 7) As in version 2.0
AbandonedWorkflow version 3.0 beta:1) As in version 2.3 beta
2) Import images into Adobe Lightroom Beta
3) Preview and select keepers
4) Adjust keepers in Lightroom
5) If necessary, edit in PS Elements 4 (waiting for delivery) on the Mac or PS CS2 on a wintel box
6) -
As 5 to 7 in version 2.1
There is no mention of particular NR or sharpening tools here, simply because I haven't purchased any. I use NR in the raw converter (if it helps), and I also use CS2's sharpening mechanisms. I'll probably purchase specific tools later, but this depends on what happens with Lightroom and available plugins.
DPP, Capture One and Raw Shooter Essentials were abandoned not because of the products' quality, but because I just don't feel comfortable with the workflow in these tools. RSE is rock bottom for me, its user interface just doesn't fit into how my mind works. Capture One was also a bit counter intuitive to me, while DPP just didn't provide enough and decent enough controls (just as well, because the interface sucked, too).
Aperture hasn't been on the beta list. Although I probably can lay my hands on a "trial" version (YKWIM ...), I'm not going down that path, and I'm definitely not paying Apple just to find out whether this is something for me or not.
Bridge and ACR are okay, except that I'd love for Bridge to let me use more categories than just five different colours, and there are shortcuts only for four of those -- sheesh. ACR is still fairly sluggish, and so is PS CS2, in terms of opening/converting files. (Yes, I know that converting files can't be lightning quick at this point in time, but it's still slightly annoying.)
Bibble is on the ToDo list.
Lightroom has nearly everything I want and seems to have a very friendly workflow, except that I'm nowhere near using it properly yet. I expect that the Lightroom introduction DVD will help me a bit on the way, once I get the time to sit down and get dirty with this.
As for PS CS2 vs. PS Elements 4 on the Mac, I'm not shelling out another bunch of hundreds of dollars to Adobe for a second CS2 license, I can use that money on another lens -- or the full version of Lightroom -- sometime. I'm risking that 100 dollars or so of upgrade (yep, got an old version lying about) because I think Elements will do what I need if I need something other than Lightroom.