Why I shoot Raw: This morning as I went out on the deck with the camera I saw this Oriole and took a quick shot. I seemed too dark in the view finder but I fired anyway not wanting to...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

This morning as I went out on the deck with the camera I saw this Oriole and took a quick shot. I seemed too dark in the view finder but I fired anyway not wanting to miss the opportunity.

When I looked the exposure compensation was at -3 stops. Even so I was able to bring it back...advantage Raw.

(Download)

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

joer wrote:

This morning as I went out on the deck with the camera I saw this Oriole and took a quick shot. I seemed too dark in the view finder but I fired anyway not wanting to miss the opportunity.

When I looked the exposure compensation was at -3 stops. Even so I was able to bring it back...advantage Raw.

That is exactly what happened to me when I was a long way from home and doing some birding. I saw a Summer Tanager and it was on a tree trunk in the shadows. I forgot to check my settings and fired away. I think I got a burst of about 10 shots off before it flew away never to be seen again. It was a lifer for me. (bird I'd never seen before)

Luckily I was shooting raw because it was underexposed by 3 stops. I was shooting Manual back then. I've modified my technique and don't usually shoot in M and use aperture priority 99% of the time now.

In post I was able to recover the image and was very pleased. If I'd been shooting jpg, there's no doubt that it would not have turned out as nice as it did. Thank you raw.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I started shoot in RAW about nine years ago and have never really looked back. I tried shooting both RAW and JPEG but for my own preference I just shoot raw. I. like most of you have have not changed my exposure and in RAW if I am under exposed it does not make any difference. I usually shoot on on the darker side and then adjust accordingly. I find in shooting red and yellow especially it helps and then adjust the contrast with the curve adjustments. Other than adjusting exposure I do very little post processing.

zgirl Loc: TN

Very beautiful image.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I understand shooting RAW because you want to. I did for a while, decided it was not not for me. I can't understand shooting RAW to be able to correct photographic mistakes. If that were my situation, I'd revisit my technique and photographic practices.
BTW, the Recovered bird is decent, but not up to the standard of your usual posts.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Frankly, I abandoned the ETTR principle after I purchased my D810. In my opinion and in my experience I get better results if I don't push the exposure to the right. Shooting in RAW definitely helps and I believe having an ISO invariant camera also helps. Is your high end Sony ISO invariant? Do you believe that feature comes into play here?

Good shot by the way. I wish I could step out on my deck and see birds posing like this.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

quixdraw wrote:

I understand shooting RAW because you want to. I did for a while, decided it was not not for me. I can't understand shooting RAW to be able to correct photographic mistakes. If that were my situation, I'd revisit my technique and photographic practices.
BTW, the Recovered bird is decent, but not up to the standard of your usual posts.

Raw is not about correcting mistakes although its a small benefit. I agree, there is no substitute for getting it right in the camera. Although as others have said had I been shooting jpg it would have been a reject and if it had been a special moment I would have missed it. I processed the image for the fun of doing, knowing that it would not be my best. I was surprised how well it turned out and I want to share that.

Although jpg allows some adjustment you are at the mercy of some camera engineer's idea of how a photo should look. Shooting raw allows you to be creative, if you want. It is a personal preference and no one should be critized for their choice.

In my opinion photography is a process starting in the camera and ending where ever.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

saxman71 wrote:

Frankly, I abandoned the ETTR principle after I purchased my D810. In my opinion and in my experience I get better results if I don't push the exposure to the right. Shooting in RAW definitely helps and I believe having an ISO invariant camera also helps. Is your high end Sony ISO invariant? Do you believe that feature comes into play here?

Good shot by the way. I wish I could step out on my deck and see birds posing like this.

Agree, I shoot to protect the highlights. I have my doubts that any sensor is invariant. I think it is based on unsupported opinions, at least I have seen no credible evidence for it. If you are aware of any point me to it.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

I certainly don't claim to be an expert on the topic. I've read a few articles like this one: https://photographylife.com/iso-invariance-explained. I do know I can go out at night and shoot RAW images with an ISO of 250 and get decent results. It did that with these shots: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-625826-1.html

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I shoot jpeg exclusively. I don't spend more than ten minutes in post processing (usually more like 5 minutes). If I can't get a good image in post within that time period I call it a failure and try to do better in camera next time. I hate spending time on the computer when I could be spending that time out in the field. I only use the limited post processing effects available in Picasa.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Retired CPO wrote:

I shoot jpeg exclusively. I don't spend more than ten minutes in post processing (usually more like 5 minutes). If I can't get a good image in post within that time period I call it a failure and try to do better in camera next time. I hate spending time on the computer when I could be spending that time out in the field. I only use the limited post processing effects available in Picasa.

I shoot in continuous mode and fire off short bursts then choose one to process. It's rare that I spend 10 minutes on one.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Yes - as OP demonstrates - when you screw up badly Raw does help.

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

Good job joer. One criticism was that it was not up to your usual posts. I'm certainly
no expert but it looks pretty good to me.

Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

That photo makes a compelling argument for shooting raw. I switched a few months ago. Now to learn some editing.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Good example of arguments for shooting raw. To make it even more compelling, you might want to consider showing the original.