What do I gain using Raw if I don't have PS?
Apr 11, 2017 08:31:58 #
waynecrowley
Loc: enerywhere/anywhere
I have only used Picasa to edit my photos. Can I gain anything if I use RAW instead of JPG if I don't use PS or other editor?
Apr 11, 2017 08:42:46 #
What camera do you have? Many come with a CD that includes an editor specific to that camera (and for raw development).
Apr 11, 2017 08:58:59 #
I shoot Raw+Jpg. I've noted a rather dramatic difference between the camera's JPEG files, and those I get from converting the raw files to jpegs on my PC (with no other editing)
(OK, I bet you are wondering "Then why not just shoot Raw, and skip the camera's jpeg entirely?" - Just for the initial pass through the files where I weed out the trash, and selected the good ones. The jpegs being smaller, load faster than the raw files, saving lots of time where going through hundreds of photos. Then I edit the corresponding raw images, create jpegs from them, and deleted the original jpegs)
(OK, I bet you are wondering "Then why not just shoot Raw, and skip the camera's jpeg entirely?" - Just for the initial pass through the files where I weed out the trash, and selected the good ones. The jpegs being smaller, load faster than the raw files, saving lots of time where going through hundreds of photos. Then I edit the corresponding raw images, create jpegs from them, and deleted the original jpegs)
Apr 11, 2017 09:09:32 #
JamesCurran wrote:
I shoot Raw+Jpg. I've noted a rather dramatic dif... (show quote)
You might want to look at FastRawViewer - it will load raw images quickly and also show the imbedded JPG within the raw image, without needing to shoot in raw+jpg, saving even more time.
https://photographylife.com/fastrawviewer-1-3-major-update/
My workflow now is insert card from camera, view in Fastrawviewer all the raw .nef files, select all but the obviously doa files, then pass to Lightroom for import, only importing files for edit - no need to cull out the uneditable files in Lightroom. Once the nefs are in Lightroom they are converted to .dng files and edited in Lightroom and/or Photoshop.
For me, Fastrawviewer saves me time and removes bad files before bothering to import them at all into Lightroom.
There are several additional apps that can be bundled with Fastrawviewer as well, RawDigger is a handy tool to examine and analyze your raw files.
https://www.rawdigger.com/
Apr 11, 2017 09:11:30 #
The debate between using one file or the other I guess will never end. Modern JPEG files are of excellent quality although some cameras are better than others. The files are smaller and editing time could be shortened.
A JPEG file converted to TIFF will not loose quality but even modern JPEG files can be edited several times without loosing quality.
RAW files require a RAW editor. The files require memory because they are large and it is up to the photographer to obtain the best from them since what we are getting is exactly that, a RAW file without any input from the camera.
Many photographers like me shoot both files depending on the subject.
A JPEG file converted to TIFF will not loose quality but even modern JPEG files can be edited several times without loosing quality.
RAW files require a RAW editor. The files require memory because they are large and it is up to the photographer to obtain the best from them since what we are getting is exactly that, a RAW file without any input from the camera.
Many photographers like me shoot both files depending on the subject.
Apr 11, 2017 12:22:24 #
You could always try shooting a series of raw+jpg. However, my experience is the raw file as viewed in Picasa will be reddish and nearly impossible to edit. Picasa is not designed for raw editing.
Apr 11, 2017 13:16:08 #
waynecrowley wrote:
I have only used Picasa to edit my photos. Can I gain anything if I use RAW instead of JPG if I don't use PS or other editor?
If you are unwilling to process the raw images stick with what you are doing. Nothing wrong with jpg and much less work. Be sure and set the image parameters in the camera to match your preferences.
I shoot RAW nearly all the time but post processing is part of the joy of photography for me.
Apr 11, 2017 16:15:55 #
You don't really need Photoshop to process your RAW files. There are even a few freeware RAW editors available if cost is a concern.
Apr 11, 2017 16:55:40 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
joer wrote:
If you are unwilling to process the raw images stick with what you are doing. Nothing wrong with jpg and much less work. Be sure and set the image parameters in the camera to match your preferences.
I shoot RAW nearly all the time but post processing is part of the joy of photography for me.
I shoot RAW nearly all the time but post processing is part of the joy of photography for me.
Apr 12, 2017 06:43:23 #
If you archive your images shoot raw in case you ever end up with a better graphics program and decide to go back to those special shots and redo them. With jpgs a huge amount of data is lost forever. Shooting jpg + raw would give you immediately accessible images plus the original data. You might also at some point shoot a great image that is over- or under-exposed or the wrong white balance, which could well be recoverable (now or later) from a raw even if the jpg is useless.
Apr 12, 2017 06:56:54 #
Picasa will handle RAW photos. Although I don't use it all that much, I usually put my photos on two computers, as just an extra backup. Years ago, I did use Picasa and it's still on my PC. Whenever I load pics from the SD cards, I see both the RAW file and the JPG. If one edits the RAW in Picasa, then it will necessarily be saved as a JPG. The editing tools for either RAW or JPG are the same and there's not anything fancy or real deep there, but it is available, or it was in older versions. I realize that it's no longer available for download, having been basically replaced by Google Photos.
Apr 12, 2017 07:14:31 #
Apr 12, 2017 07:34:12 #
waynecrowley wrote:
I have only used Picasa to edit my photos. Can I gain anything if I use RAW instead of JPG if I don't use PS or other editor?
PS is not the only software you can used and there are other options that are free to download. One that I like is Raw Therapee.
Apr 12, 2017 09:34:02 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
pecohen wrote:
PS is not the only software you can used and there are other options that are free to download. One that I like is Raw Therapee.
Take note. He did say "or other editor".
Apr 12, 2017 10:55:50 #
Try opening your pictures in Microsoft Photos. That is the software that comes free when you install windows 10. It works great with JPEG and RAW photos. Try the enhance button and watch your photos come to life. There are other editing options in the also. I am surprised as to how many people don't know about this software that is already on there computer. Give it a try
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