...I agree that I could simplify the workflow and that is something I will look at once I can figure out where the Capture sharpening fits in (as part of pre-tonal adjustments, post-tonal adjustments, pre-B&W conversion, post-B&W conversion?)...As well, as has been mentioned by Tim, the creative sharpening really can't be done in Lightroom.
So once I get more advice on where exactly to place the capture sharpening/noise reduction within the workflow, I will definitely look at simplifying.
Again a small bit of insight in to the differences in how Lightroom works compared to (particularly early editions of) Photoshop.
Using a pixel editor means that any changes made are baked in immediately and so when to do things in the context of a full workflow becomes critical.
Lightroom, on the other hand, is a parametric editor where no edits are actually applied at a pixel level until an image is exported or otherwise instantiated, such as with a print out of Lightroom.
The advantages of this are legion:
1. One can go backwards and forwards through various edits over and over again making small or large changes without the process itself degrading the image. This is potentially disastrous in a pixel editor. However, in Lightroom only the net effect will actually be applied and that only on export etc. For editing purposes in the Develop module any edits are simulated so the effect of the edits can be easily visualised.
2. The order of editing becomes much less important. In general, the layout of the Develop module right sub-panel suggests an order of editing.
However, especially when it comes to things like applying lens profiles, sharpening, and noise reduction I like to apply these early (sometimes as presets on import) in order to evaluate an image for quality.
3. Altering things like global contrast, clarity (really a local mid-tone contrast adjustment), and luminance noise all affect how one might sharpen an image. Using Lightroom I can round-trip several times making small adjustments to each in turn to optimise image quality.
4. The edge masking slider in the detail sub-panel is worth the price of admission into Lightroom almost on its own. I take slight issue with those who say that regional sharpening cannot be done well in Lightroom. There will always be those images where layers and masks will be needed to precisely direct the effect of creative sharpening. Nonetheless, the edge masking slider is brilliant at directing the sharpening effect to areas that are important and away from areas that should not be sharpened. Used in conjunction with the radius slider amazing results can be achieved.
5. The luminance noise slider should be regarded as the fifth sharpening slider and adjustments here should be done in conjunction with other sharpening adjustments. If the edge masking slider has been used appropriately then it often minimises the amount of luminance noise reduction required. This in turn minimises the amount of sharpening required overall to restore detail in areas of high detail. Not requiring high levels of sharpening then, in turn, reduces the amount of that annoying haloing that occurs with aggressive sharpening.
6. Round-tripping to optimise image quality becomes a cinch. I have formalised the adjustments for certain lens/ISO/Camera combinations with regard to lens profiles, sharpening and noise reduction. Sometimes no further adjustment to noise and sharpening are required but even if there are they are normally minor.
7. Some third-party noise reduction plug-ins are available for Lightroom (as well as other editing utility).
8. Although the whole process is conceptually much simpler using a parametric editor doing this well will still need a learning curve that will probably take a year or more of effort. Another brilliant thing is that at any time one can revisit images edited early in the process and re-edit them using new-found knowledge and expertise born of the experience.
I bet I have not fully described the advantages of the Develop module but this will do for now!
Tony Jay