Mmart0418 Loc: Orting, Washington

I love the first photo most! The other thing about raw is they take up a lot of mb. They are much larger than jpeg. Lightroom if free for the first 30 days from adobe to try and play with editing you pics.

AsiaPaul Loc: Vietnam

Can I purchase LightRoom from the Internet and download here in China?
Do u know the cost?
I have PS5.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Here's link about raw with pictures that show the differences between jpg and raw.

http://www.slrlounge.com/raw-vs-jpeg-jpg-the-ultimate-visual-guide

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

The first photo is by far the best, the remaining are over processed and look unnatural.

RAW captures save the maximum amount of photographic information the camera can capture, it is like film in that respect.

RAW is best for two types of photographic situations.
1. You are the type of photographer who sets the camera on "Full Auto" and accepts whatever the camera decides to capture.

2. As the photographer, you have way too much time on your hands and can afford to spend hours in the digital darkroom.

In today's modern digital cameras we have the very latest in JPG compression tools, and they will compress an image to a reasonable file size and preserve most of the critical image information.

If you spend a reasonable amount of time setting up the camera for a good exposure, you will spend a lot less time on the computer correcting camera errors in exposure captures. The advantage of digital today is instant feedback on your capture. Once reviewed on the LCD panel you can correct for poor exposures on the spot, not weeks later when the processed film is returned from the chemical processor.

Try it your self. Make a series of test photos using both RAW captures, and JPG captures. Make sure you use a standard subject set-up for all tests. Try using a Child's toy doll as the subject. Take a couple of shots in RAW using center spot focus, center spot exposure metering, Aperture Priority (Av), and ISO = 400.

Now take the same photos with the highest resolution in JPG format. This time take the time to set the camera White Balance to Auto, and then a few of the other settings (sun, clouds, shade, flash,indecent, florescent).

Compare all your captures and decide what will be best for your needs.

Michael G

Mmart0418 Loc: Orting, Washington

yes I would think you can from Adobe and also from Amazon. If you are enrolled in a photography class and can prove it you also can get it from Amazon and get a discount. At Adobe in US is $150, but for a student it is $79

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Isnt it wonderful that we all see things differently. The first two pics, to me, have too much yellow tint (I know, could be an ethnic thing.. but even the guys teeth seem a little yellow on my screen.) The 4th pic looks the most natural to me and makes a pleasing portrait. I don't think focus is a problem but perhaps depth of field is, just a little. Seems very shallow DOF but the focus point is great (on the zip or thereabouts).
As said, all in all, a pleasing result.
As for RAW vs other formats. RAW (or NEF or whatever) I think is a bit like using the original negative back in film days. However, for me the big advantage is that you can do anything to a RAW file you want and years later there is no loss to the file. JPEGs particularly loss a lot of info every time you open the file. Even just rotating a pic in Photoview results in a loss of data. So yes, one can manipulate a RAW file and get lots of effects but these days you can also do a lot with a jpeg, to me the big deal is having a lossless format that wont deteriorate with age.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

You make the same points I was trying to make. JPEG is great for anyone whose needs are met by shooting JPEG Fine. Mine are not.

For example: I want to be able to shoot landscapes in raw and then individually adjust the tones by individual color. I know I can do that with filters, 80A, et al, but this limits me to adjusting only one color plus I would need to carry gradients of each color-- and even then, I'm limited.

The other point: we don't know what refinement/advances will happen down the road. I prefer the option of re-working files when/if that happens.

But I realize: most (photographic) needs can be met with JPEGs-- and that fine (for them).

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

On one point I will disagree. You do not lose any detail by opening a .jpg file. You only lose image data when you save a .jpg again. If you are loosing image detail by rotating the image then you need a more modern image editing program. Years ago rotating complex image files would soften the image, but not with modern editors.

Michael G

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Degradation would also happen over time and with the frequency of projecting transparencies.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

On another point.... Nice portrait!

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Why I don't shoot RAW:

Me: Here's that picture I just took.
Wife: Great picture! Can you put that on my computer so I can use it as wallpaper?
Me: Um, uh, I'll be back in a half hour...

Interstingly enough, I think Irfanview auto-adjusts .KDC (Kodak RAW) because I compared with a .JPG and they both looked the same.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It won't take you a half hour when you get the hang of it. You just open the image and do a save-as to jpg or in some programs you just export and change a few settings so that it saves it as a jpg. I know at first this might seem a little confusing, but once you do get the hang of it this should only take you 1 minute.

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

A RAW file contains ALL the data the camera records at the time time the picture was taken. A JPEG file is a compress stripped down of data. RAW files allows you to edit in post processing since you have all the necessary information to work with.

Regarding software, there is GIMP 2.8

GIMP Resources

I do strongly recommend GIMP 2.8
It has thousands of presets.
It is as powerful as Photoshop and it's absolutely FREE!

GIMP 2.8 Official website - After downloading, check out the right column for Documentation (Manual, Tutorials, Books), Plug-in Registry
http://www.gimp.org/

Before and After by Katherine Landreth
This eBook costs $12 including a 1 year subscription to her loaded website with articles, tutorials, tips, goodies and library.
http://pareandfocus.com/index.htm/gimp-book/

Free eBook:
Grokking the GIMP
http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-5.html#1173485

GIMP USERS
http://www.gimpusers.com/news/00447-first-official-mac-build-gimp-2-8-2

Brushes
http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/62335977

Square Brushes Pack
http://pkgam.deviantart.com/art/FREE-Square-GIMP-Brush-Expansion-290725057
Plug-Ins: Under attachments:
(do not copy but after unzipping, double click on the executable.

http://registry.gimp.org/node/24520

Photo Editing Tutorials
http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/#Photo

See the following post on Shakey's tutorials.

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

GIMP Tutorials by Shakey and his GGS Kevin.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1165232

Chapter 1: Crop Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1165331

Chapter 2: Zoom Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1165682

Chapter 3: Eraser Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1165859

Chapter 4: Perspective Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1166285

Download: Two Castle Images to Work on it
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1166545

Chapter 5: Understanding Save Options
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-1.html#1168165

Chapter 6: How To Get Rid of Purple/Blue Fringing
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-2.html#1168719

Ep 6-a: Removing Purple/Blue with a Selection Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-2.html#1169048

Important Resources
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-3.html#1169911

Chapter 7: Clone Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-5.html#1172481

Chapter 7-a: Clone Tool in Use
Download: Image to work n it
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-5.html#1172567

Chapter 8: The Heal Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-5.html#1174255

Chapter 8-a: Heal Tool: Practice photos
Download: Girl Bath and Baby to Heal
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-5.html#1174300

Chapter 9: The Fuzzy Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1175685

Chapter 9-a: The Fuzzy Tool in Practice
Downloads: Towers for Fuzzy Tool - Sky for Fuzzy Tool Work
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1176153

Chapter 10: Select By Color Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1176960

Chapter 10-a: Select by Color Tool (continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1177258

Chapter 10-b: Select by Color Tool – Download Photo
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1177543

Note: To save work as JPEG
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1178284

File Menu
Click 'Export'
Write name of file and format (picture.jpg) in the top (Name) slot.
Click Export button.
Select degree of quality. Click Export button

Chapter 11: The Quick Mask
Download: Cat to work with it
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-6.html#1180172

Chapter 11-a: The Quick Mask (continued.)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-7.html#1180374

Chapter 11-b: The Quick Mask (continued.)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-7.html#1180398

Q&A:
Q: can you tell us where this "content aware" / resynthisiser feature is hiding in GIMP? Not being 'negative' but can you or your 11 year old tutor tell us if it actually is in GIMP or has to be downloaded seperately from yet another site and then installed?
A: Yes, this is a free plugin for GIMP. It is updated regularly. The resynthesize plugin for Gimp 2.8.2 has not yet been announced. We are all waiting and hope to see it soon. The previous version was 2.6 which works in 2.8 after a fashion (not good). I'll keep the forum posted when the update becomes available.
In the mean time, try the heal tool or the Clone tool. Manual operation but excellent tools.

Chapter 12: The Scissors Select Tool
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-7.html#1185069

Chapter 12-a: The Scissors Selection Tool (continued)
Download: Fish photo to work with
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-7.html#1185087

Chapter 13: Blend Tool (aka Gradient Tool)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-8.html#1188372

Chapter 14: The Rotate Tool: To Level the Horizon
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-8.html#1189921

Chapter 15: What is Noise and How to Eliminate it with GIMP
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-8.html#1192596

Download Practice Image: Remove hair from girl’s face
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-8.html#1193395

After Image, hair removed
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1193813

Chapter 16: How to Install Plugins and Scripts
Download Image: Sequence to Install Plugins in Gimp
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1199566

Chapter 16-a: How to Install Plugins and Scripts (Continued…)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1199601

Chapter 16-b: How To Make GIMP Work With Photoshop Plugins
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1201936

Chapter 16-c: Photoshop Plugin Settings (continued):
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1201950

Chapter 16-d: Recommended Plugins for GIMP
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1203996

Chapter 17: How To Make Your Photos 'Pop' with GIMP
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1208254

Chapter 17-a: Make your Photos 'Pop' (continued)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1208270

Chapter 17-b: Make your Photos 'Pop' (continued)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1208282

Chapter 17-c: Make your Photos 'Pop' (continued)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-9.html#1208297

Chapter 17-d: Make your Photos 'Pop' (continued)
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-10.html#1208309

Chapter 17-d: Make your Photos 'Pop' (end)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-10.html#1208331

Practice image to use the Heal Tool (opacity 30)
Objective: Remove shine from front head, chin and nose
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-10.html#1211811

Out of Order:
Chapter 18-h: Images to work with
Download Images: Background,Tower, Eagle
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-12.html#1216151

Chapter 18: Let's Get Started with Layers:
2 Download Screen Images
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1215993

Chapter 18-a: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1216010

Chapter 18-b: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1216032

Chapter 18-c: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1216047

Chapter 18-d: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1216065

Chapter 18-e: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-11.html#1216090

Chapter 18-f: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
Download Image
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-12.html#1216108

Chapter 18-g: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued):
2 Download Images
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-12.html#1216114

Chapter 18-h: Images to work with
Download Images: Background,Tower, Eagle
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-12.html#1216151

Chapter 18-i: Let's Get Started with Layers (continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-12.html#1216479

Chapter 19: Layers 2: Brushes and Other Magic Stuff.
Download: Clouds and Scissors Tool Setup
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1225857

Chapter 19-a: Layers 2: Brushes and Other Magic Stuff (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1225894

Chapter 20: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228696
Chapter 20-a: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228710

Chapter 20-b: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228719

Chapter 20-c: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228737

Chapter 20-d: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228751

Chapter 20-e: Out of Bound Tiger Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-13.html#1228763

Chapter 21: Out of Bound 2
Download Work Photo
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236372

Chapter 21-a: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Work on her Eyes
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236387

Chapter 21-b: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Work on her Eyes 2
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236393

Chapter 21-c: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Little Girl Work Photo 3
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236404

 
Chapter 21-d: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Little Girl Work Photo 4
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236410

Chapter 21-e: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Little Girl Work Photo 5
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236421

Chapter 21-f: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Little Girl Work Photo 6
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236433

Chapter 21-g: Out of Bound 2 (Continued)
Download Little Girl Work Photo 7
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-14.html#1236439

Chapter 22: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus
Download Work Photo
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243531

Chapter 22-a: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus (Continued)
Download Screen Image 1
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243540

Chapter 22-b: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus (Continued)
Download Screen Image 2
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243548

Chapter 22-c: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus (Continued)
Download Screen Image 3
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243555

Chapter 22-d: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus (Continued)
Download Screen Image 4
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243564

Chapter 22-e: Under Exposed Rescue Using Layers Plus (Continued)
Download Screen Image 5
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1243571

Chapter 23: Quick Under Exposed Rescue
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-16.html#1244900

Chapter 24: Layers Command: 'Merge Visible Layers'.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-17.html#1246375

Chapter 24-a: Layers Command: 'Merge Down'.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-17.html#1246405

Chapter 25: Over Exposed Photo Rescue Using Layers Plus
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-17.html#1251102

Chapter 25-a: Over Exposed Photo Rescue Using Layers Plus
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-17.html#1251112

Chapter 25-b: Over Exposed Photo Rescue Using Layers Plus
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-17.html#1251119

Chapter 25-c: Over Exposed Photo Rescue Using Layers Plus
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-18.html#1251126

Chapter 25-d: Over Exposed Photo Rescue Using Layers Plus
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-18.html#1251136

Chapter 26: Quick Over Exposed Photo Rescue
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-18.html#1253911

Chapter 27: Fill-Flash Effect Using Layers for Best Result.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1257251

Chapter 28: Fill Flash Effect
Download Work Photo
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1254915

Chapter 28-a: Fill Flash Effect (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1254927

Chapter 28-b: Fill Flash Effect (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1254946

Chapter 28-c: Fill Flash Effect (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1254956

Chapter 28-d: Fill Flash Effect (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-19.html#1254964

Chapter 29: Fake HDR Plugin Tutorial
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-20.html#1263105

Chapter 29-a: Fake HDR Plugin Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-20.html#1263124

Chapter 29-b: Fake HDR Plugin Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-20.html#1263142

Chapter 29-c: Fake HDR Plugin Tutorial (Continued)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-20.html#1263158

Chapter 30: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1276786

Chapter 30-a: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1276833

Chapter 30-b: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1276881

Chapter 30-c: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1276955

Chapter 30-d: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1277024

Chapter 30-e: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1277066

Chapter 30-f: The GIMP 'Curves Dialog' Tutorial (Continued).
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-69708-21.html#1278359

Allegro23 Loc: Illinois Chicagoland Burbs

Well I like all your pictures here, but probably would pick the first picture, however knowing the asian skin color very well, I would guess the second picture comes closest to what you really saw. So like the famous quote, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," yes?