why do you shoot raw
Mar 15, 2018 19:07:31 #
Mar 15, 2018 19:20:18 #
Part of what may be causing you to become perplexed may be stemming from your preconception that “itseems to me one shoots raw to fix shots that were incorrectly exposed”.
Yes, working in RAW can be beneficial when working with a shot that was not correctly exposed, but it can be equally beneficial for elevating a well exposed shot into something exceptional. You noted that there was almost a 10 Mb difference in file sizes between files. Consider that 10 Mb is a great deal more data for you to work with in order to get richer color pallets, finer detail, etc. those types of editing tweaks can often enhance the effect of a well executed shot.
You are planning to shoot Antelope Canyon. I can tell you from experience that the colors you get from shooting longer exposures in a slot canyon can be exceptionally rich with excellent subtle variations, and great dynamic range. But to get the most out of it, it helps to have ALL of the data your camera was able to capture when you get to the stage of editing and printing the image. With RAW, you will find it much easier to bring up the subtle details in the shadows, and work with the wide range of color saturation’s when it’s time to finalize your best shots.
Yes, working in RAW can be beneficial when working with a shot that was not correctly exposed, but it can be equally beneficial for elevating a well exposed shot into something exceptional. You noted that there was almost a 10 Mb difference in file sizes between files. Consider that 10 Mb is a great deal more data for you to work with in order to get richer color pallets, finer detail, etc. those types of editing tweaks can often enhance the effect of a well executed shot.
You are planning to shoot Antelope Canyon. I can tell you from experience that the colors you get from shooting longer exposures in a slot canyon can be exceptionally rich with excellent subtle variations, and great dynamic range. But to get the most out of it, it helps to have ALL of the data your camera was able to capture when you get to the stage of editing and printing the image. With RAW, you will find it much easier to bring up the subtle details in the shadows, and work with the wide range of color saturation’s when it’s time to finalize your best shots.
Mar 15, 2018 21:02:36 #
[quote=home brewer]I know this is an old topic; but maybe I can some. I am heading to antelope canyon on a photo tour in about a month and want to make sure I get good shots. I am assuming that the raw photos will improve my chances of fixing improper exposures.
When you view a RAW file your software is showing an embedded JPG for the purpose of viewing. PP a RAW file gives you much more latitude in your adjustments and several that are not available to a JPG format. When a camera saves a JPG it throws away all the info not used by the cameras decision which is a lot and compresses whats left. RAW lets you pull out shadow and highlight detail, color balance in a couple ways such as white balance and tint, contrast, ......
When you view a RAW file your software is showing an embedded JPG for the purpose of viewing. PP a RAW file gives you much more latitude in your adjustments and several that are not available to a JPG format. When a camera saves a JPG it throws away all the info not used by the cameras decision which is a lot and compresses whats left. RAW lets you pull out shadow and highlight detail, color balance in a couple ways such as white balance and tint, contrast, ......
Mar 15, 2018 21:11:44 #
I just switched to raw a few weeks ago. No more shooting jpg for me right now. After taking a class from an instructor I really respected and being on this forum for a while, I decided I had to give it a real chance to see what everyone was talking about.
I have figured out how to use Camera Raw to a greater degree with some help from this forum. I quit the jpgs and went cold turkey with shooting raw just recently. At this point, I am very happy with the results I am getting. I am not doing major overhauls on my photos and mostly don't have to change the exposure much if at all. But, when things just don't work for me with exposure and I can't figure out why, raw is a godsend and the photos don't have to be deleted.
I still haven't figured it all out yet. I am still unsure of what format to save files in. I still have no idea how to use the PS Elements Organizer, layers, etc. etc. But I am learning and will be for a long time. I decided that if I am going to take this hobby seriously and improve my photos, it seems that I must give raw a chance.
I have figured out how to use Camera Raw to a greater degree with some help from this forum. I quit the jpgs and went cold turkey with shooting raw just recently. At this point, I am very happy with the results I am getting. I am not doing major overhauls on my photos and mostly don't have to change the exposure much if at all. But, when things just don't work for me with exposure and I can't figure out why, raw is a godsend and the photos don't have to be deleted.
I still haven't figured it all out yet. I am still unsure of what format to save files in. I still have no idea how to use the PS Elements Organizer, layers, etc. etc. But I am learning and will be for a long time. I decided that if I am going to take this hobby seriously and improve my photos, it seems that I must give raw a chance.
Mar 15, 2018 21:13:39 #
[quote=Blenheim Orange]If you cannot see a difference, and cannot see a purpose - and don't think you ever will in the future - then you can continue to do that which you are happy doing, of course, and I won't try to talk you out of it.
A few years back I was basically asking the same questions and seeing the same things that you are, and people here and elsewhere scoffed and said "naw, you don't need to work with raw files, don't listen to the elitists! Working with raw files is only for those who can't get it right in camera, or who like to spend a lot of time sitting at the computer doing post-processing rather than out shooting. "
Listening to that was the worst mistake I ever made in photography. When I finally installed the Canon raw program and looked at raw files I was blown away. As it is I have 5 years worth of shots - thousands of images - that I wish I had the raw files for.
Working with raw files is not necessarily just for fixing mistakes, is not more time consuming, and does not necessarily require special processing skills nor expensive software.
I spend a few minutes with raw files, typically, making minor adjustments to taste - not correcting but rather perfecting in ways that are impossible with JPEGs - and then export in the TIFF format. I could export then as JPEGs, but I like to do that with my old standby Paint Shop Pro - habit, really.
For sure. I was blown away too except it only took me a month to start shooting RAW+JPG. The JPG is for social media and E-Mail.
A few years back I was basically asking the same questions and seeing the same things that you are, and people here and elsewhere scoffed and said "naw, you don't need to work with raw files, don't listen to the elitists! Working with raw files is only for those who can't get it right in camera, or who like to spend a lot of time sitting at the computer doing post-processing rather than out shooting. "
Listening to that was the worst mistake I ever made in photography. When I finally installed the Canon raw program and looked at raw files I was blown away. As it is I have 5 years worth of shots - thousands of images - that I wish I had the raw files for.
Working with raw files is not necessarily just for fixing mistakes, is not more time consuming, and does not necessarily require special processing skills nor expensive software.
I spend a few minutes with raw files, typically, making minor adjustments to taste - not correcting but rather perfecting in ways that are impossible with JPEGs - and then export in the TIFF format. I could export then as JPEGs, but I like to do that with my old standby Paint Shop Pro - habit, really.
For sure. I was blown away too except it only took me a month to start shooting RAW+JPG. The JPG is for social media and E-Mail.Mar 15, 2018 21:54:34 #
home brewer wrote:
I know this is an old topic; but maybe I can some.... (show quote)
I don't - for lots of reasons......and without a guilt complex
Mar 15, 2018 22:11:26 #
imagemeister wrote:
I don't - for lots of reasons......and without a guilt complex
True, but some of them are based on false information. Nothing wrong with just using JPEG, but at least make the decisions for the right reasons, and your posts show that you really don't understand computer technology well enough to advise other people.
Mar 15, 2018 22:18:29 #
Peterff wrote:
True, but some of them are based on false information. Nothing wrong with just using JPEG, but at least make the decisions for the right reasons, and your posts show that you really don't understand computer technology well enough to advise other people.
Who died and left you in charge of false information, right reasons and computer technology ??
Mar 15, 2018 22:29:34 #
imagemeister wrote:
Who died and left you in charge of false information, right reasons and computer technology ??
I don’t think Peter meant you personally. Most likely the statements about people using raw to fix exposer mistakes etc...
Your work speaks for itself.
Mar 15, 2018 22:43:18 #
illininitt wrote:
Thanks for the link. Might as well be in Spanish. I'm an "auto" guy and have no idea what that means. Not knowing it at 69....I think I can get through life without knowing.
You might not understand the terminology used in that link, and at age 69 think you don’t need to know, but since you are here on UHH you must have an interest in photography. So if someone were to sit down with you and show you on a computer monitor all of the wonderful things that can be done with a photo shot in raw format, and how those things can improve a photo, you might just be amazed. For some it’s tough to be told something or read something and understand without actually see it happen before their eyes.
Walt
Mar 15, 2018 22:44:52 #
imagemeister wrote:
Who died and left you in charge of false information, right reasons and computer technology ??
Nobody died, but you have repeatedly expressed strong opinions based upon inaccurate information as regards JPEG vs raw and the required technology to support that.
JPEG or raw is a choice, but proliferating inaccurate information is not a good thing to do, and you have done so on multiple occasions.
By all means express opinions, but don't base your opinions on inaccurate information.
Mar 15, 2018 22:49:17 #
tdekany wrote:
I don’t think Peter meant you personally. Most likely the statements about people using raw to fix exposer mistakes etc...
Your work speaks for itself.
Your work speaks for itself.
Thank you Thomas, but I did mean imagemeister personally. His work and his contributions are excellent, with the exception that the reasons he gives for not using raw are simply misguided from a technology perspective. It's a matter of choice, but he presents them from a technology basis making statements that are simply incorrect and cannot be justified, other than as a personal choice. He should know better.
Mar 15, 2018 22:51:09 #
Peterff wrote:
Nobody died, but you have repeatedly expressed strong opinions based upon inaccurate information as regards JPEG vs raw and the required technology to support that.
JPEG or raw is a choice, but proliferating inaccurate information is not a good thing to do, and you have done so on multiple occasions.
By all means express opinions, but don't base your opinions on inaccurate information.
JPEG or raw is a choice, but proliferating inaccurate information is not a good thing to do, and you have done so on multiple occasions.
By all means express opinions, but don't base your opinions on inaccurate information.
I dont always see eye to eye with imagemeister but he is a good photographer. You on the other hand love to come to threads with your paternalistic and condescending talk.....yet you SUCK at taking a slightly decent image. I think imagemeister has a different opinion and thats not the same as having inaccurate information. I advise you to shut up and work with your own abilities. When you obtain something a tad better than a snapshot the come and guide us....
Mar 15, 2018 22:52:55 #
Peterff wrote:
Thank you Thomas, but I did mean imagemeister personally. His work and his contributions are excellent, with the exception that the reasons he gives for not using raw are simply misguided from a technology perspective. It's a matter of choice, but he presents them from a technology basis making statements that are simply incorrect and cannot be justified, other than as a personal choice. He should know better.
What a big HYPOCRITE you are. You take jabs at someone and try to disguise it with this ARTIFICIAL politeness. What a piece you are.
Mar 15, 2018 22:54:51 #
Peterff wrote:
True, but some of them are based on false information. Nothing wrong with just using JPEG, but at least make the decisions for the right reasons, and your posts show that you really don't understand computer technology well enough to advise other people.
He didn't express any reasons here; this has meaning only to someone who can read your mind.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.