Shooting RAW vs bracketed photos (Page 3): :sm24: :sm24: :sm24: :sm24:...

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

Apaflo wrote:

Shoot in RAW mode, and also take multiple shots.

Work a scene too. Shoot from different angles, shoot with different framing. Move left for a set, move right for another. Taking 100, or 200, different views is one way to assure that in the end you get the one that is right.

Kfallsfotoman

I shoot both. - bracketed and raw (actually camera is setup to shoot raw &jpeg at same).

I try for the best exposed shot to go into LR/Ps -
I bracket 1 stop each way.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

My general rule is that if the PLACE that you are taking the landscape photos is special by all means bracket. My camera can take up to 10 bracketed shots. I usually set my camera to four bracketed shots at 1/3 intervals. Some photo enthusiasts like 1/2 stops. If I am shooting landscape shots relatively close to my home where I can return often I do not bracket. It is true that digital media is cheap, however, I think that it is also important to practice with you camera if close to your home and often bracketing becomes a crutch.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I never shoot RAW - that is why I have a Sony - I set it to do 3 exposures + and - 5 EV all done and combined IN CAMERA - and ready to do further PP when I get it into Elements on the computer. Using the EVF I can see exactly where I want the middle exposure to be. Very simple ....

tdekany Loc: Oregon

imagemeister wrote:

I never shoot RAW - that is why I have a Sony - I set it to do 3 exposures + and - 5 EV all done and combined IN CAMERA - and ready to do further PP when I get it into Elements on the computer. Using the EVF I can see exactly where I want the middle exposure to be. Very simple ....

I realize that it is just me, but I can't make sense of why one would shoot JPEG if they are going to PP.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

tdekany wrote:

I realize that it is just me, but I can't make sense of why one would shoot JPEG if they are going to PP.

I can't make any sense on why you would not ??

I set all the JPEG contols to neutral in camera and adjust later in post for subject/situational content. It would take way too much time to reset camera JPEG for every shooting situation - and I am in post to crop anyway ......makes sense to me.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

imagemeister wrote:

I can't make any sense on why you would not ??

I set all the JPEG contols to neutral in camera and adjust later in post for subject/situational content. It would take way too much time to reset camera JPEG for every shooting situation - and I am in post to crop anyway ......makes sense to me.

There is a lot more info in raw.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

tdekany wrote:

There is a lot more info in raw.

98% of time YOU will never SEE it .......and neither will any one viewing your images ......

tdekany Loc: Oregon

imagemeister wrote:

98% of time YOU will never SEE it .......and neither will any one viewing your images ......

I most definitely see the difference when processing the raw files vs jpeg. I'm not sure what you take pictures of, but why do you think EVERY landscape photographer tells you to shoot raw? Same with photo mags. Now it is possible that you know something all those professional photographers don't.

jcboy3

MWojton wrote:

I have a feeling the answers are going to be all over the place. And I'm not sure how to ask the question clearly. But let's say I'm shooting landscapes- would it be better to take one shot in RAW format or several bracketed shots? Which of the above would give me more to use in post processing?

Mike

For post processing, taking several bracketed RAW shots would provide the most flexibility.

If the choice is one RAW or several JPG, then it depends. If you can get the exposure close and avoid blown highlights, then RAW will certainly be more convenient than a bunch of JPG. Unless you are going to stack the images; then JPG would be better. But that's a lot of post processing.

Finally, if you want to be able to avoid post processing then several bracketed JPG is the way to go so you can choose the best exposure.

How you bracket will depend on what you plan to do. If you intend to do HDR processing, then the brackets can be large. If you are stacking, the brackets should be smaller. And if you are bracketing exposure to select a single JPG, then the brackets should also be small.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

The opinions will be all over the place as you stated. I like shooting HDR landscapes; I found that shooting bracketed shots often resulted in ghosting and it ruined the shot. I now shoot RAW; I expose for the sky; and I use 3 to 5 iterations of the one RAW file for my HDR shot. When I do that, there is no ghosting.

Kuzano

MWojton wrote:

I have a feeling the answers are going to be all over the place. And I'm not sure how to ask the question clearly. But let's say I'm shooting landscapes- would it be better to take one shot in RAW format or several bracketed shots? Which of the above would give me more to use in post processing?

Mike

Simply remember this. RAW has it's one advantage and all it's supporters. But you only get a file that responds to post processing. You cannot use a RAW file in a user viewable situation, unless you post process it and export to another file format.

Add post processing necessity, or at least open and PP and create a file.

Bracketing photos in the either Jpeg, or TIFF (two of my camera's output to RAW, Jpeg and TIFF) you may get a usable Jpeg or TIFF SOOC (straight out of camera). Yes I am one of those.

I shoot NO RAW, and plenty of Jpeg or TIFF, processed through the settings I choose in the Image Processor. That's why my Image Processer version is one of the most important selections I make on any digital camera.(When I am not shooting film and bracketing.

Kuzano

jcboy3 wrote:

For post processing, taking several bracketed RAW shots would provide the most flexibility

How does one impact variations by bracketing a RAW....Oh wait, I see, shoot RAW manually??

Hmmm? Pondering?

jcboy3

Kuzano wrote:

How does one impact variations by bracketing a RAW....Oh wait, I see, shoot RAW manually??

Hmmm? Pondering?

No. You can bracket exposure with an auto mode (aperture, shutter). You can bracket other things automatically, depending on your camera (focus, white balance).

jcboy3

Kuzano wrote:

Simply remember this. RAW has it's one advantage a... (show quote)

I prefer to make processing decisions after shooting, when I have more time. I prefer the extended dynamic range and exposure latitude. That is why I shoot RAW.