1Drummer Loc: Mississippi

I understand RAW is the best format to manipulate and JPG file has less options to manipulate and can be commonly ok as long as you have a decent setting. My question is; in order to achieve the best result from a RAW photo, you have to have an eye for contrast and colors to get it right?? I guess it depends to a point, experience, an eye and personal taste?
I want to learn more about how to get it close to right as much as possible anyway.

Thank you for your feedback.

Richard

jim quist Loc: Missouri

1. Open the image in photoshop.
2. click on the "image" icon at the top
3. when the drop down box opens click on "Adjustments"
4. click on "Curves"
5. find the three eye droppers toward the bottom
6. click on the black eye dropper, go to your photo and click it on something black.
7. now click on the white eye dropper, go to your picture and click on something that is supposed to be white
8. now click on the gray eye dropper and go to your picture and click on something that is gray,
9. click on ok at the top right

there you have it

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Welcome to UHH, Richard!

"An eye for contrast and colors" speaks as much to the artistic side of photography as the technical. Read books and articles, view videos and images from the masters, then develop your own style and interests.

The "best result" from a raw photo - as opposed to a jpg - would arise from knowing exposure and focus, and mastering your editing software. The end result should be what you like.

However, if there are images with which you're unhappy, UHH has several specialty forums that can give you specific or general feedback or critique, to help you along your path. Go to the home page and scroll down to "all sections." Each specialty forum will have rules and guidelines for posting there.

Enjoy the journey!

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Read what Linda said twice Richard.

Don

tsilva Loc: Arizona

Get the best possible exposure you can. Then a few tweaks in post and you can have a fantastic image

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

For those needing a bit more explanation of raw files vs JPG images:
FAQ: What is the Difference Between Raw and JPG?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26507-1.html

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I process raw files in free FastStone Image Viewer, which allows side-by-side viewing of a very flat JPG (representing an unprocessed raw file) with a JPG that I am post processing: http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

larrywilk Loc: Palm Harbor, FL

Go to Utube, Adorama, B and H, Adobe and so on and do a search for RAW processing. You will find a plethora of videos and articles.

anotherview Loc: California

Your concern goes to a technique called "getting it right in the camera." I suggest you do a Google search on that expression.

I urge you also to study composition and the exposure triangle.

Understanding and doing these three things will put you in a worthwhile mode of study to improve your photography.

Consider also taking a workshop or two in basic DSLR operation.

Good luck.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Your last sentence is the kicker. Getting it close to right as much as possible is all in your eye. What pleases you is where you stop. Not what pleases anyone else. Yes, it does come down to experience, an eye and personal taste. The only way to get the experience is to dive in. Good luck.

Walt

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Hey, Jim! How do you know the OP uses Photoshop? :D

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

1Drummer said in part "I understand RAW is the best format to manipulate and JPEG file has less options to manipulate"

Yes, 1Drummer, you are right. A good photographer only needs JPEG**, those who screw up the shot (too often me!) use RAW to correct their problems!! Well sort of true, but there occasions where try as one may the photo is too dark or has other defects; RAW allows us to correct these problems before they are JPEG-ed and sent to our post processing program such as PSE or PS or PSPro. (JPEG or the bigger TIFF files)

My cameras are set to take both files. For quick and dirty, I only use the JPEG, if there is a problem, or I want to be "outstanding" I play with the JPEG and get down to business with RAW... Perhaps even making 3 exposures to then use a HDR program. Wow, RAW has many options to cover our mistakes or expand possibilities.

**Here is an interesting discussion by ken Rockwell:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Richard,
Welcome to UHH. You've taken the first steps in a great journey.

First and foremost, knowing the performance capabilities of your camera will be the first best steps you can take.

After that, it is a lot of responsibility that you shoulder in producing the final image. There are a lot of videos and tutorials on the web that will discuss the basics to advanced concepts in producing a good final image.

During that journey of achieving your final image, if you get stuck, have a problem, etc., post your question to UHH and receive tons of advice. You'll get as many different ways to solve your problem as people who reply to your post. So, have fun.
--Bob

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

What is right is about personal taste, but your tastes will probably evolve with experience.

As to how to learn, that too seems to be a personal matter. Some people like to start by pouring through tutorials and that works for them while others like to just jump in and start trying out various features of their editor to see what they do (with this approach, be sure to work with a copy of any photo that you particularly value). Eventually, most people do some mix of experimenting with reading or watching tutorials. You just have to figure out what works best for you. Do what seems to work for you but have some fun with it and keep at it - it will take some time but it should be fun.

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

Taking pictures in Jpeg is limiting your self much like in the day of film taking them to the photo processing place. You got what you got. In this case the camera chooses the processing from the raw information and saves as jpeg. My Canon is set to save in RAW and Jpeg so if I want to share right then I have a copy that most can use right off. With RAW your canvas is open to change. HDR opens a whole new world. High Definition Resolution pictures. Lots of information, lots of opinion. The biggest argument against RAW is it takes lots of memory on a disk, may be slow with slow cards and it takes post processing to make it look great. To me that is not a problem but part of the process. The information you get from RAW is far more than any negative produced. Getting the picture right, in focus, framed, exposure where you want it or in HDR several up and down from proper exposure is key. In post processing you can manipulate in RAW to your desire even if it is to look like a Jpeg. BTW some say that you can't tell the difference between a post processed RAW to Jpeg; that is only true if you are processing your photo to the results and effect of a Jpeg. Ok that is a good shot.