MT Shooter Loc: Montana

There is not a month goes by that I don't get a customer in my store complaining that their images always look "soft" or "flat". Almost every conversation reveals they are shooting in RAW because they saw on the internet thats "the ONLY WAY to get great images". Then I find out they are simply converting those RAW files to JPG files without processing.
RAW files MUST BE DILIGENTLY PROCESSED in order to produce nice bright, sharp, colorful images! PERIOD!
Failure to spend the time needed to properly process those RAWs will never produce acceptable images that are anywhere nearly as nice as the cameras own processed JPG images. Simply "converting" to JPG is never acceptable if you ever want GOOD images.
I always advise customers to ignore RAW until they are of an experience level to understand the demands and requirements of turning that RAW data into a proper image. Otherwise you will never be happy with the results.
A very simple test can be done simply by selecting to save as RAW+JPG, take a shot of a colorfull, high contrast scene, and simply view both side by side on your screen. The RAW will display as the embedded JPG with no or minimal processing applied that way and you will easily be able to discern the differences.
That's enough for today.

al13

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Well said.

Trying to add to the thought process, it might be said that the photographer has to pick who does the "developing" for him or her. Will it be Nikon, Canon or Sony by converting the light data to JPEGs in the camera. Or will it be one of the Lightrooms, ON1 or Capture 1? With those there is the choice between complete manual, presets and automatic settings.

Decisions, decisions!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Regardless one must STILL come to the realization that the processing must be done to create a true image of any quality, rather than simply converting with no thought to processing requirements.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Most folks want the best results with out doing what it takes to get the results. When thet hear the best way, they do not finish reading and paying attention to what they are reading. I have heard folks say the should make a camera that any one can pick up the camera and point and shoot and get a good picture. If that were true in any field any one should be able to pick up any fire arm and hit the bulls eye. It is not the format but the uninformed person that does not avail their self to reading the total article. I for one have shot only raw for about seven years. I use Canons dpp and it does a good job with out much editing. Most of my adjust is with the exposure and color balance and some times some other minor adjustments. Canon program works better for me that other programs including Photo Shop which I have but seldom use.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ah, no worries for me, I simply use DPP which came with the camera.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Exactly! I'm trying to agree with you. First you come to the realization that processing needs to be done. I'm trying to add that, second, you have to make decisions on what, who and how that processing will be done. But, as you write, RAW HAS TO BE PROCESSED before any benefits can be derived.

Some may choose things like Photolemur and other will chose Photoshop/ACR.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Wow, like, "Straight to the Point", yes, I am one of the many Non-technical Photographers that DO NOT understand the RAW IMAGE editing process, how it is done. So, for that single and only reason, I at the present have NEVER created a RAW IMAGE with my Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera. Although this RAW IMAGE process is quite intimidating to ME personally, I do have a desire to learn and understand the process. I may just need a very patient teacher!😄

bleirer

DPP and other software that came with the camera is set to read and automatically apply the in camera settings for sharpness, contrast, etc., so in that sense no additional processing is needed. One can get the picture off the camera and it does not appear flat and lifeless. Lightroom on the other hand does not read the camera settings but does a certain amount of automatic adjustment.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Well, finally a RAW & JPG post that actually is worthwhile for those that do not know this already. I do obviously but it is still nice reading a simple clear explanation. Those that do not want to bother to learn PP software at least need to know what this post presented if they want to go anything beyond JPG to JPG. Good start MT Shooter, keep going!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

This is probably an example of a case in which shooting raw+jpg would be a benefit to the photographer. The person is trying to learn about postprocessing raw files but there's no point in shooting only raw files if you can't deal with them effectively. Shooting raw+jpg would provide jpgs for immediate use and the raw files would be there to learn on.

If you are trying to learn how to postprocess a raw file the easiest way is to download Nikon's software. Capture NX-D is free. https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/sw/138.html

I haven't searched for it but I would expect there are free tutorials out there for Capture NX-D. Google is your friend here.

Once you have some idea how to use postprocessing on raw files you can consider some of the other software out there.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I’m with you on this!

However, SOME camera manufacturers’ own supplied software will read the EXIF from the JPEG preview image inside the raw file, and develop the image the same way the camera would have.

I could always rely on Canon DPP to do that. I would try my best to choose an exposure, white balance, and JPEG processor menu settings that would yield a great SOOC JPEG, knowing I could get a good, initial conversion from raw data to 16-bit image. That made it easier to tweak from that point forward.

Some third party applications let you set default processing profiles that mimic various camera picture styles. They also come with their own default profiles, and usually let you create and save your own.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sorry, not enough days left this year to complete the subject! 😂😂😂

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

I think you are creating a mental block. Think of it as a camera before the digital age. Then setting the aperture and speed would have been completely normal. To my mind creating a ‘RAW’ image is no different. Just my two cents worth!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

There are literally ENDLESS options, but until one UNDERSTANDS the needs, those options are pointless and only more confusing to that poor soul that has no clue.