burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The OP did not mention a camera or method of raw image capture... He only mentioned editing raw images in Apple Photos.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Charlie7, a TON of helpful information on Photos and raw processing can be found on the 'net. Here are a few related links worth reading:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204977

https://www.kirkville.com/how-to-work-with-raw-and-jpeg-photos-in-apples-photos-app/

http://blog.fosketts.net/2017/07/24/remove-raw-images-apple-photos-icloud/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-photos-raw-workflow.2050242/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/seeking-simple-raw-workflow-on-macos-sierra-photos.2034239/

https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/14/raw-power-photo-editor-ios/

https://petapixel.com/2017/06/06/apple-adds-advanced-editing-features-photos-app-macos-high-sierra/

You may be able to do everything you want to do in the newest version of Photos, or not. IF not, you can always link to external apps.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You aren't missing a thing Charlie. Keep doing what you are doing and don't look back. Shooting and processing raw isn't for everyone.

Charlie7

Thank you for all the information. It is an extensive science.

Have any of you used Photos? The files are raw and I can change white balance. I can also adjust light, color, convert to black and white, adjust RGB levels, selective color adjustment, noise reduction, sharpen and it has RGB curves adjustment. With all that, I still have the option to use affinity.

When I need to print, or post a photo, I export to JPEG and adjust file size and quality.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

The point, I think, is that he actually IS shooting and processing in raw format, just not terribly effectively using Photos software. And yes, if the OP's comfy with that, more power to him. Perhaps as he learns more about what a good software can do for his images, then maybe he'll move forward....

Charlie7

Thank you burkphoto. Your links are very helpful. You conclusion is what I thought, but was afraid I was missing something. No longer confused.

Jeep daddy, I have been shooting and processing raw for many years.

Charlie7

mrjcall, Obviously you have not used Photos software. I have used "good software"; PSE, Lightroom and Affinity. IPhotos software is very "effective".

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

first of all you have to process RAW Files because they load dark and a little off on vibrance and color. Try it by shooting both RAW and JPEG as a backup and look at the difference. RAW keeps all the data of the original picture. JPEG doesn't and cannot be change and enhance as a RAW file can. So if you are a beginner than stick with JPEG. If you are a seasoned photographer than you should be shooting in RAW already.

Charlie7

Thanks, troughrhettseyes. As I said I have been shooting raw for many years. My raw files do not "load Dark". I make a few adjustments in Photos edit. The original raw file is always there. I export to JPEG for printing, or posting.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

what would you like to accomplish that is not available to you. The Adobe RAW converter permits many adjustments and corrections (density, color of light, saturation, sharpening, cropping, image size, image format, white balance, light color, bit depth, and more before dumping the TIFF in PS and I assume LR. Is there something you are missing?

Charlie7

With all due respect, Ron Dial, you are wrong. In Photos, the files are raw and I can change white balance. I can also adjust light, color, convert to black and white, adjust RGB levels, selective color adjustment, noise reduction, sharpen and it has RGB curves adjustment. With all that, I still have the option to use Affinity. Adobe is not the only game in town.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Saving and-re-compressing JPEGs. I have noted here that many people are using JPEGS to edit and save. You should check out this

link:https://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/56304/does-simply-opening-and-closing-a-jpeg-file-decrease-image-quality

If you open a JPEG, edit the JPEG and then save as a JPEG and answer the question to compress the file, you are losing image quality each and every time you re-compress the file as a JPEG. Be careful. Much safer to use TIFF.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Didn't mean to suggest that ADOBE was the only game in town, just that there are many things you can do while the RAW image is being converted.

Charlie7

Thanks, but I always shoot, edit and save raw files. No need to edit JPEG file. I export JPEG files to print, or re-size for posting.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Not quite correct. The ONLY information that is captured by an individual pixel is the LUMINANCE information, the number of photons captured; it is ONLY the process of demosaicing that adds the R,G,or B information, and, ONLY because the algorithms used know which color filter is associated with which individual pixel. You also forgot to mention that the Green "Filters" are twice as common as the Red or Blue filter populations (note that the human eye is MUCH more sensitive, about twice as sensitive, to green as it is to the red and blue portions of the visible spectrum). Mostly, all this is without exception.

If we do include Sigma's (Foveon) sensors, now up to the third generation, then, and only then, does each pixel contain the complete RGB and Luminance information in a single pixel value, do to the fact that each of the pixels have all three filters "built into" them (via the significance that semiconductors have the ability to filter colors by the depth within the sensors, and the three sensors are "stacked" at different/separate depths). Polaroid was actually the first to use this type of sensor, but there were many, many problems with the "first edition", and they never proceeded any further with their development efforts (they used several of the Phillips patents from the late 60's and early70's).

BTW: I was a member of that group at Phillips Laboratories (in Briarcliff Manor, NY) that "invented"
the silicon vidicon in the mid-late 60's, so I know of what I speak (yes, I'm that old, LoL).