tenny52 wrote:
I shoot raw mostly along with a jpg version for backup and comparison; the jpg output from LR should look better than the jpg created by my D610.
Can anyone tell me setting the WB of my camera makes any significance to the Raw files; Will the Temp & Tint slider of the LR over rule all the camera WB setting ?
Should LR be sufficient that the output jpg need no further process (levels,color, contrast, brightness, etc) in PS?
If one hesitates of the exposure during shooting, underexposed is better than overexposed Or the same, (of course by the same amount) ?
I shoot raw mostly along with a jpg version for ba... (
show quote)
Getting accurate white balance
at the camera is important when:
• You are a professional with a studio/controlled lighting condition workflow, and want to create "perfect" JPEGs at the camera (i.e.; you know how to set exposure, custom white balance, and ALL the camera menus to get precisely the look you want, at the camera, because your client demands immediate use of the images).
• You work for a wire service, magazine, newspaper, forensic department, etc. that requires UN-post-processed JPEGs straight from the camera. Many agencies now require this, because of concerns over image manipulation in post-processing.
• You want your images to look good when you open them in post-processing software. (But it has to be the RIGHT post processing software, and you have to set the defaults in that software correctly!)
Yes, Lightroom can be used to completely override the white balance (and most other image parameters, to some degree). You can export or web-post "perfect" JPEGs from LR. You need not use Photoshop at all, unless you need its tools, such as layer masking, text, color separation...
I use BOTH a raw workflow AND a JPEG workflow, for completely different kinds of work in completely different situations. I appreciate the power and flexibility of raw files. But I love to "get it 'right' in the camera" when a job allows, because I hate labor time and costs. I also like to see something close to what I want when I open an image!
To me, the most important use of the LR Develop Module (ACR, really) is in the tonal manipulation of raw files.
JPEG was NEVER MEANT to be anything more than an immediate use, distribution file format. You CAN edit JPEGs a little, especially if you use Photoshop to convert them to 16-bit TIFFs in ProPhotoRGB color space before you go bending the tones. Adjust at will, then save or export as a high quality 8-bit JPEG in sRGB color space when done. That preserves the maximum range of tones from the original file, AND it smooths out the conversion back to 8-bits. (I know, hard to believe, but try it! High end pro lab software pulls a similar stunt automatically, using a 12-bit conversion.)
Remember that the paradox of JPEG (and color slide) photography is that the closer to "perfect" you get it at the camera, the MORE latitude you have to adjust it in post-processing, should you need to, but the LESS you will need to!
In summary, you DON'T HAVE TO worry about white balance at the camera when recording raw files, but it helps later if you do!