Raw files looks dark
Sep 18, 2023 23:06:00 #
JD750 wrote:
The problem here is the photographer is missing an understanding of dynamic range and the subtleties of ideal exposure. The long term fix would be a studious effort by said photographer to gain knowledge of dynamic range and the subtleties of ideal exposure.
The short term fix is to ask random people on the internet how to fix the problem.
The short term fix is to ask random people on the internet how to fix the problem.
Well there is that, but in the interim, understanding the exposure settings which drive DR, the focus point and having a look at the histogram should help to offer accurate advice for this issue.
Sep 19, 2023 00:16:19 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Dynamics5 wrote:
Any theories to explain problem and possible fix?!
Yes. The second example you posted has nothing to do with your camera, your exposure, raw files, LightRoom, or anything having to do with your photography. It has everything to do with the building, the materials of construction, and possibly the bus windows you said you were shooting through.
Please tell us (or at least me) where this building is located and, if possible, what it is called. I want to do some research on it and determine exactly why it photographs like an alien spacecraft. I have run into this situation once before, about 30 years ago, when I tried to photograph a large steam locomotive and its flat/matte black paint seemed to literally suck light out of the air and obliterate almost all visible detail, even though that detail was clearly visible to the eye.
For those who might care, that locomotive was the Union Pacific 3985 on one of its first excursions to Texas after the merger with the Missouri Pacific. It was almost impossible to capture a decent photograph of that locomotive on that trip.
Sep 19, 2023 00:21:30 #
larryepage wrote:
Yes. The second example you posted has nothing to ... (show quote)
Success is the photographer, failure is (now) the subject of the image?
Sep 19, 2023 00:22:51 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
CHG_CANON wrote:
Success is the photographer, failure is (now) the subject of the image?
Quite possibly so, yes. Look at that image carefully. It's also possible that this entire inquiry is a hoax.
Sep 19, 2023 00:54:14 #
Photo was taken straight on, not through any medium. Problem with dark areas observed on many photos, not unique to this particular scene. But the setting is: https://www.123rf.com/photo_26060839_stockholm-february-04-stureplan-with-the-famous-mushroom-svampen-and-kungsgatan-behind-on-february.html
Sep 19, 2023 01:30:00 #
Dynamics5 wrote:
Any theories to explain problem and possible fix?!
The contrast is too high.
You need to expand the tonal range in the shadow areas while leaving the highlight areas alone. If you can not achieve this in Lightroom you may just need to use different software. There seems to be information in the image which can be displayed with just a little tweeking.
For example, In photoshop you can select the entire dark area and then apply your contrast and brightness controls to just that area. That freezes your highlight details while allowing you great latitude in regaining shadow detail.
Sep 19, 2023 02:36:53 #
Artcameraman
Loc: Springfield NH
Actually the opposite is true. Jpeg correct almost everything in camera including sharpening but post processing by you will be limited. RAW on the other hand is like an uncooked meat, salt, pepper and heat has to be applied to make it delish!
Sep 19, 2023 05:44:31 #
Sep 19, 2023 05:56:47 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
Dynamics5 wrote:
The dark part of my raw files look exceptionally dark. Is there a way to correct for that?
up-load the image & click the Store Original box. Then someone here can help you.
Sep 19, 2023 07:06:03 #
Sep 19, 2023 08:40:28 #
tcthome wrote:
up-load the image & click the Store Original box. Then someone here can help you.
The OP will just get guesses, wild guesses and red herrings, up until they provide an attachment of the RAW or an unmodified JPEG conversion of that RAW.
Sep 19, 2023 08:45:22 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Dynamics5 wrote:
Photo was taken straight on, not through any medium. Problem with dark areas observed on many photos, not unique to this particular scene. But the setting is: https://www.123rf.com/photo_26060839_stockholm-february-04-stureplan-with-the-famous-mushroom-svampen-and-kungsgatan-behind-on-february.html
Thank you for the additional information. It is helpful to know that what you photographed is nothing like what we were expecting to see, since it is, in fact, an alien spacecraft. We now can know that what we aren't seeing is the underside of something, not the front of something. That informs us that you are simply trying to display too much dynamic range with the settings you used. Go back to your editor and either increase the brightness, reduce the contrast, or bring up the shadows. Ir maybe do a little of each.
This is a case where it would have been beneficial to have stored a reference JPEG, using camera default settings. That would most likely have given you a viewable image which you could have used as a reference for your editing. If you are just converting, and not editing, you would probably be better served with JPEGs anyway.
Sep 19, 2023 09:47:27 #
Retired CPO wrote:
I thought the whole reason for shooting RAW is that EVERYTHING can be corrected!! 
The you are ignorant of the basics of photography!
Sep 19, 2023 09:52:48 #
JD750 wrote:
in that case I guess you should sell the camera with the problem and go back to one that does not have that problem.
Sep 19, 2023 09:57:59 #
There is no quick fix...copy/paste solution here.
This is a matter of doing the work...reading up on processing.
The OP has some work to do...which will pay dividends later on.
Quick fixes...yield short results in the end.
This is a matter of doing the work...reading up on processing.
The OP has some work to do...which will pay dividends later on.
Quick fixes...yield short results in the end.
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