Shifting from JPEG to RAW
Oct 16, 2019 22:36:46 #
Novice62 wrote:
Do you have any recommended jpeg editing programs?
Photoshop Elements is good for raw or jpeg. It has a good beginners mode that might be all you ever need. You can get really far before you start thinking about moving to Photoshop, if ever, and when you do you can easily move your catalog.
Oct 16, 2019 22:36:55 #
imagemeister wrote:
I think , sooner or later you will/should be using something Adobe. Many, myself included, use Elements. And, of course LR and PS are also Adobe.
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They should take their time and find what's right for them. If it happens to be Adobe software, then great! If not, everyone will still be helpful because everyone has a slightly different way of doing things, and that ultimately sparks discussion and creativity among this great group of members.
Oct 16, 2019 22:44:39 #
Novice62 wrote:
Hi, a couple of years back I received some superb ... (show quote)
Your jpegs are your finished images, so you should just hold onto them.
You will find that editing will be far easier in a raw converter. This is mostly because they have far fewer commands, and if you don't like the way your editing is going, you can reset the controls for the editing section you are in or even reset all of the edits to give you the image as it came out of the camera.
The advice to "master your jpegs first" is not necessarily bad advice, but it may be the harder approach. Besides the poster has never shot or edited raw files, so you need to take that advice with a grain of salt.
You are already performing simple edits on your jpegs. At first the only change in your in your camera will be to turn the raw shooting mode.
As you get more comfortable, you'll start to discover some of the benefits of shooting raw, namely the ability to shoot scenes with broader range of contrast and easier control over white balance, tone, contrast, color and microcontrast. The best part is that you can customize these settings for each individual image.
I like Lightroom and Photoshop, but there are others that work well.
Oct 16, 2019 23:00:44 #
Gene51 wrote:
Besides the poster has never shot or edited raw files, so you need to take that advice with a grain of salt.
Nor do I intend to ....
Oct 17, 2019 00:35:05 #
There are three responses to a great image: yes, no and was it captured in RAW?
Oct 17, 2019 01:11:05 #
Novice62 wrote:
I realize that when I change to RAW I also have to change the program I use to process my photos.
Not necessarily. After making basic adjustments in a RAW editor, you can export as TIFF and then open this generated image file in any image editor you wish for further processing and making edits. In other words, you can continue using the editor you are already familiar with as before, even if it does not have an integrated RAW import feature. I do it all the time. Some people like the convenience of doing everything within the same program, but using two separate programs for processing is not really that much of an inconvenience once you get used to the workflow procedure.
Oct 17, 2019 06:07:42 #
I use Photoshop Elements. The transition from JPEG to RAW was not difficult. As several have said try the various trial versions. At one time I had a subscription to Lightroom but did not like the monthly payment. Good luck.
Oct 17, 2019 06:31:58 #
Novice62 wrote:
Hi, a couple of years back I received some superb ... (show quote)
I would check out YouTube and give some of the tutorials on shooting RAW and editing your RAW pictures. and go from there.
Oct 17, 2019 06:43:59 #
There are two stages in editing Raw data. The first is to develop the data and save the result as an image file (JPG, TIFF etc). This first stage has a wider dynamic range than a SOOC JPG will give you,which you might just need on occasion (if you have blown highlights or required detail is hidden in shadow) or, if your white balance is off, or tone is off, RAW might just give you an easier chance to correct it. That, basically is the first stage. The second stage is to edit your newly converted JPG etc - you are now at the stage you would also be editing your SOOC JPG, which has had the first stage taken care of in-camera. This will include further adjusting first stage edits, if necessary, then cropping, straightening, noise reduction, color adjustments, other alterations and finally sharpening. It would be appropriate to mention that all digital pictures need a little sharpening.
There are still some editing programs exclusively for JPG. In early days of digital photography, all editing was to SOOC JPGs as there was no possibility of saving RAW data.
To conclude, RAW editing is no more difficult than editing JPGs, which is, in itself, not difficult. There are learning curves, which are sometimes made more difficult by badly written software. Have a look at Affinity and the reviews before deciding.
There are still some editing programs exclusively for JPG. In early days of digital photography, all editing was to SOOC JPGs as there was no possibility of saving RAW data.
To conclude, RAW editing is no more difficult than editing JPGs, which is, in itself, not difficult. There are learning curves, which are sometimes made more difficult by badly written software. Have a look at Affinity and the reviews before deciding.
Oct 17, 2019 06:55:46 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
There is a commitment, and a learning curve to whatever software one chooses. The time to learn post processing, though frustrating, is well-spent; and once you achieve the basics, and more, you will wonder why you did not make the change sooner. Do it now!
I am happy with Lightroom and ON1.
Keep your JPEGs, but you will obviously have more control to better images with RAW.
I am happy with Lightroom and ON1.
Keep your JPEGs, but you will obviously have more control to better images with RAW.
Oct 17, 2019 07:09:34 #
I switched to raw several years and wish I didn't wait so long. I suggest you shoot raw + jpeg. I use photoshop elements, its not difficult to use, there are plenty of u-tube tutorials on line and it is a one time fee (no monthly charges)
Oct 17, 2019 07:12:06 #
Oct 17, 2019 08:18:12 #
I've been using Lightroom and Photoshop for years. I'm still learning. I like to spend time on difficult or problematic files to explore what can be done to correct issues or to achieve a particular look. It's part of my enjoyment of photography, much like darkroom work used to be. If shooting the photos is your main source of enjoyment, keep it simple. If you will enjoy playing in the digital darkroom playground, go RAW and use one of the serious editing programs.
Oct 17, 2019 08:22:46 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
When I made the switch from Picasa to Lightroom, I did it on the recommendation of a friend who is a photographer. He told me that Lightroom was easier to learn than Photoshop. He was right. That said, You Tube, Lynda.com, and others will help get you started. I’d recommend the $10 monthly subscription if you shoot a fair amount.
Oct 17, 2019 08:38:06 #
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