 Manny Valencia |
RAW Images I was wondering if someone could anwer this question. I currently have a Canon 20D camera. I shoot in the RAW/JPEG Format and sometimes in just RAW. My problem is this, I don't really know much about editing RAW files. I haven't purchased PS or anything like that, just the software that came with the camera (I just switched from film). I was wondering, if I edit the RAW files with "AUTO" editing, will I still get a better shot than the regular JPEG. Assuming that it was a good shot to start with, will the edited RAW file be better quality than the JPEG? Or, will the files be pretty close to the same only one alot larger than the other. I can shoot at the highest JPEG, but, I believe that if I am paying for more megapixels, I may as well shoot at the best quality. Hope you can answer my question
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
You didn't get a version of photoshop with the camera? Raw has all the information in the file, so you get better tonal grades, more information for better upsizing, doing lots of photo shop stuff to. High iso, long night exposures do better with raw. The also handle sharpening more smoothly. Making 4x6 prints you won't see a difference with highest jpeg photos. But viewing then at 200% and higher, you better rendition of detail. Not confusing that with showing detail. Because with jpegs, it's not like there's something there that's not going to be recorded. But with raw and better tonal grades, you get recording, or expression of detail. As far as auto, that's something that will sometimes work very well, and sometimes will cause of bad shift. Just like setting auto levels. Sometimes a picture will totally go a wrong direction with auto levels. So it's a good idea to learn as you go so you'll at some point won't need auto processing.
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Pete H |
Hello Manny, The short answer is YES. The quality is better, but comes at the expense of post processing time. Unless you plan on doing a lot of post process editing and/or want to enlarge your photos greatly, there is no need to work in RAW. You will hear many arguements on this subject, some valid; some just opinion. One of the biggest arguements I hear is "You can change the white balance after the fact." While this is true, why not just get the white balance right the first time? ;) I shoot both, RAW and JPEG, but unless there is a critical reason to shoot RAW, I generally stay in JPEG.
Pete
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W. |
Like Pete says, Manny, JPG for snaps and 'everyday' photos (only basic PP), and RAW for 'photos that really matter' (extensive PP). I shoot ALL commissioned photos* in RAW+JPG for max PP latitude and being able to backtrack if neccessary. Like in the old days with negatives, I NEVER distribute RAW files. Only conversions thereof: JPGs or TIFFs. (* and 'special' photos for friends and relatives too, of course)
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W. |
Like Pete says, Manny, JPG for snaps and 'everyday' photos (only basic PP), and RAW for 'photos that really matter' (extensive PP). I shoot ALL commissioned photos* in RAW+JPG for max PP latitude and being able to backtrack if neccessary. Like in the old days with negatives, I NEVER distribute RAW files. Only conversions thereof: JPGs or TIFFs. (* and 'special' photos for friends and relatives too, of course)
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Outside the conversion of raw to a readable file, raw dosen't require a lot of post processing if, like getting white balance correct on the shot, you get everything else correct on the shot. That gets exaggerated.
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Sharon Day |
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Manny Valencia |
Hey Everybody, Thanks for your responses. It makes a bit more sense now. I figure, the more I play with it, the more I will understand it. I did get a copy of Elements 2 with the camera, and, am planning on getting PS, but haven't done so. Thanks again for all the responses.
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W. |
That is effectively "HDRI", Sharon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDRI
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Sharon Day |
W, that is true. I have not had any luck with shooting to combine more than one image for HDR. Even with a tripod I can't quite seem to get the exact same scene. I guess I need to get a cable release because just touching the camera to release the shutter moves it just enough to throw the shots off slightly making it impossible to combine them.
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W. |
That may help provided you have a rocksteady tripod! Because you still have to set the settings for the second shot. So you will be touching the camera, with the risk of moving it.
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Sharon Day |
Oh yes, duh! Wish they'd create a remote to set your camera with ;)! I have a Manfrotto 724b tripod which isn't exactly rock steady but it's the best I can do for now.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
For that you can use auto exposure bracket.
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Sharon Day |
Ok thanks, Gregory! I didn't think of that (duh)!
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Manny Valencia |
What would be the best way to start learning RAW editing? The reason I ask is because, I mostly shoot sports and recently I wanted to make a poster (24x36) out of one of my shots. I wasn't sure if the JPEG would be the same quality at that size as the same RAW file. Thanks again for the responses
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Start with the same foundation of getting the shot right to eliminate as much need for editing as you can. Then learn how to use levels, curves, with the eye drop tools. Then there's experimenting and applying.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Manny - as a new convert to RAW I can give you this advice: Just Do It!Once you start you will wonder why you were intimidated by the idea. I now shoot in RAW and Jpeg - but mostly edit in RAW. I really do not think that the work flow is that much more, but then I also try really hard to get the image "right" while shooting. For me, shooting RAW has really opened me to new techniques and a sense of freedom to experiment that I did not have before.
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