Why I shoot RAW
Jan 30, 2023 06:32:19 #
AZNikon
Loc: Mesa, AZ
Shooting RAW + JPEG was my path in the beginning. The JPEG's became a crutch in case something went wrong. But it became complicated when I started exporting JPEG's from Lightroom. Which JPEG? became an issue and I realized that I was using up a lot of extra storage space and creating confusion by using the crutch, so I dropped the practice and haven't looked back. It was a journey for me.
Jan 30, 2023 08:31:45 #
Perhaps I did not understand, did you say you shoot RAW data for exposure adjustment? If an adjustment to the exposure is necessary the photographer should be shooting RAW?
When we were using film and especially if using slide film, control of the exposure was a must. Color negative film was somewhat more flexible but it is was also essential to know exposure. No matter if we shoot RAW or JPEG, exposure is everything.
With digital we have color histograms and with mirrorless we can see in the rear monitor the changes we make to the exposure. Because of the nature of the media experimenting costs nothing. Shoot your subject and look at the histogram and if it is not accurate simply delete the file and make the necessary correction, it could not be simpler today.
If you start from basics, exposure meters are factory calibrated to read middle tonalities represented universally as an 18% gray although some claim it is only 12%. Whenever we shoot black or white subjects we know adjustments need to be done to the exposure to make it correct. Open the aperture or slow down the shutter speed to bring back the brightness. With black simply allow less exposure otherwise the meter reading will produce overexposure.
I do not know your level of experience or expertise but if you are not thoroughly familiar with exposure my recommendation is that you learn how to expose the subject. There are photography books that explain exposure very well and in my humble opinion the books written by John Shaw give simple and effective explanations about how to expose the subject. A very good and reasonably priced one is "The Nature's Photography Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques." Another most useful book was written by the late Bahman Farzad, professor of photography at Birmingham School of Photography that has a long title but it is easy reading and in my opinion the best book I ever read on exposure. The tile of the book is "The Confused Photographer's Guide to Photographic Exposure and the Simplified Zone System."
As I said, I do not know your level of photographic expertise but if you are not sure about your exposures the books I just mentioned are excellent guides.
When we were using film and especially if using slide film, control of the exposure was a must. Color negative film was somewhat more flexible but it is was also essential to know exposure. No matter if we shoot RAW or JPEG, exposure is everything.
With digital we have color histograms and with mirrorless we can see in the rear monitor the changes we make to the exposure. Because of the nature of the media experimenting costs nothing. Shoot your subject and look at the histogram and if it is not accurate simply delete the file and make the necessary correction, it could not be simpler today.
If you start from basics, exposure meters are factory calibrated to read middle tonalities represented universally as an 18% gray although some claim it is only 12%. Whenever we shoot black or white subjects we know adjustments need to be done to the exposure to make it correct. Open the aperture or slow down the shutter speed to bring back the brightness. With black simply allow less exposure otherwise the meter reading will produce overexposure.
I do not know your level of experience or expertise but if you are not thoroughly familiar with exposure my recommendation is that you learn how to expose the subject. There are photography books that explain exposure very well and in my humble opinion the books written by John Shaw give simple and effective explanations about how to expose the subject. A very good and reasonably priced one is "The Nature's Photography Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques." Another most useful book was written by the late Bahman Farzad, professor of photography at Birmingham School of Photography that has a long title but it is easy reading and in my opinion the best book I ever read on exposure. The tile of the book is "The Confused Photographer's Guide to Photographic Exposure and the Simplified Zone System."
As I said, I do not know your level of photographic expertise but if you are not sure about your exposures the books I just mentioned are excellent guides.
Jan 30, 2023 08:32:45 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
frankraney wrote:
Why shoot both unless you need a jpeg proof right away. You can export the JPEG after developing the raw file.
Luckily you did not shoot to far right, and were able to save the photo. Do you look at the light meter in the camera? Now where it was when you thought you were way overexposed, and were able to come back in post. This is known as ETTR, exposing to the right.
Is be interested is a sample of what you thought was bad, and the processed, finished photo.
Luckily you did not shoot to far right, and were able to save the photo. Do you look at the light meter in the camera? Now where it was when you thought you were way overexposed, and were able to come back in post. This is known as ETTR, exposing to the right.
Is be interested is a sample of what you thought was bad, and the processed, finished photo.
Jpeg files take up very little extra room so why not have it just in case you need immediate photo.
I rake photos during fishing trips and while I'm cleaning up I pri t some 4x6 to pass around at dinner. Not post processing after long day fishing.
People enjoy a hard copy instead of passing some device around.
Jan 30, 2023 08:51:09 #
Jan 30, 2023 09:27:48 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
Jpeg files take up very little extra room so why not have it just in case you need immediate photo.
I rake photos during fishing trips and while I'm cleaning up I pri t some 4x6 to pass around at dinner. Not post processing after long day fishing.
People enjoy a hard copy instead of passing some device around.
I rake photos during fishing trips and while I'm cleaning up I pri t some 4x6 to pass around at dinner. Not post processing after long day fishing.
People enjoy a hard copy instead of passing some device around.
That is what I said. If you need one quickly.
Jan 30, 2023 10:25:09 #
In many cameras, certain features are not available in RAW. In my Nikons, in-camera HDR and panorama images are available only in JPG.
Jan 30, 2023 10:34:59 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
frankraney wrote:
Why shoot both unless you need a jpeg proof right away. You can export the JPEG after developing the raw file.
Luckily you did not shoot to far right, and were able to save the photo. Do you look at the light meter in the camera? Now where it was when you thought you were way overexposed, and were able to come back in post. This is known as ETTR, exposing to the right.
Is be interested is a sample of what you thought was bad, and the processed, finished photo.
Luckily you did not shoot to far right, and were able to save the photo. Do you look at the light meter in the camera? Now where it was when you thought you were way overexposed, and were able to come back in post. This is known as ETTR, exposing to the right.
Is be interested is a sample of what you thought was bad, and the processed, finished photo.
Shoot jpeg! Make beautiful photos!
Jan 30, 2023 10:37:11 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
CHG_CANON wrote:
I don't use the JPEGs, but I write the small-sized JPEG to my camera's second card, for the bodies that have two slots. For a 32GB card, I can almost write an unlimited amount. Maybe once or twice a year, I remember to reformat that 2nd card to clean-out all the JPEGs that are never even copied off the card.
WOW what wisdom the subject of shooting raw has never been discussed before! Wow
Jan 30, 2023 11:48:25 #
Rick from NY
Loc: Sarasota FL
I always keep a protective filter in front of every lens. OH WAIT! I got my silly, beaten to death, partisan, emotional, “insisting I’m right” UHH topics confused. 2 pages spewing the same reiterated, useless garbage and undoubtedly another 4 pages yet to come from people determined to demonstrate to us mortals why they are right and we are wrong. The ONLY salient point that bears mentioning (once) is that raw files allow for more adjustment. Every thing else is the same blah, blah blah.
Jan 30, 2023 11:52:22 #
Whether you're successful or not, you'll never actually feel the joy of accomplishment unless you shoot in RAW.
Jan 30, 2023 12:05:17 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Raw isn't just a file format, it's a way of life. RAW is a constant journey that has a finite start with the shutter release, but has no final ending as the file travels the incomprehensible chain of existence within the world of software.
Save the watch!
Jan 30, 2023 12:23:45 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Raw isn't just a file format, it's a way of life. RAW is a constant journey that has a finite start with the shutter release, but has no final ending as the file travels the incomprehensible chain of existence within the world of software.
UHH’s snappy philosopher king!
Jan 30, 2023 12:38:17 #
mikegreenwald
Loc: Illinois
CHG_CANON wrote:
I don't use the JPEGs, but I write the small-sized JPEG to my camera's second card, for the bodies that have two slots. For a 32GB card, I can almost write an unlimited amount. Maybe once or twice a year, I remember to reformat that 2nd card to clean-out all the JPEGs that are never even copied off the card.
I don't understand. Why bother with the jpg's at all?
Jan 30, 2023 12:55:48 #
cahale
Loc: San Angelo, TX
CHG_CANON wrote:
Raw isn't just a file format, it's a way of life. RAW is a constant journey that has a finite start with the shutter release, but has no final ending as the file travels the incomprehensible chain of existence within the world of software.
RAW by all means - except for T-Bones. Here we want WELL.
Jan 30, 2023 12:56:42 #
mikegreenwald wrote:
I don't understand. Why bother with the jpg's at all?
I don't bother. I just swap the primary card when filled with RAW and move on, ignoring the JPEG files on the second card. Of course there's lots of other options. They just don't interest me.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.