It's a really wide subject, but an interesting question.
Personally: Often I'll have an idea of the look I want to achieve and the way to get there. I'll start with a couple of steps that I think may work. Sometimes this leads me directly where I want to be, and sometimes it doesn't even get me close. Thus starts the tinkering and
tweaking, trying out different combinations of effects,
in different orders etc. It's a fairly organic process that can be a bit hit-and-miss. But through this process you learn a lot about the possibilities of your tools, and it allows for what Bob Ross used to call "happy accidents". You stumble upon unexpected results from combinations of effects. And if it's not what you need right now, it may be something you can use tomorrow.
It's a bit like cooking. As a cook you should know the basic taste of all ingredients. But cooking is something else. And coming up with new recipes is a long process.
That's how it works for me anyway.
Barend
Raamw3rk - digital storytelling and visual effects
