When I first started out, the one photographer who inspired me the most, was and still is, National Geographic photographer, Jason Edwards. Apart from the great work he does, I always remember the advice he gave, on one of his shows. As much as possible, get it right in the camera, don’t over process your images and don’t spend too much time processing them. (not exactly word for word, its been a while).
When I first started, (while getting used to the camera) I shot in jpeg. Now I only shoot in raw format and try as much as possible, to get it right in camera.
Image processing time for me is now between 30-45 seconds per photo.
Below are links to some of other photographers, I regularly follow and constantly learn from.
Indian Photographer, Sudhir Shivaram Nature & Wildlife Photography
U.S. Photographer Nick Page (YouTube)
UK Photographer Thomas Heaton (YouTube)
U.S. Photographer Kristofer Rowe
More recently I discovered, David Yarrow his style and BW imagery, take my breath away.
Elayne Hand, Brightchic Photography 