RAW vs JPEG.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine, a professional photographer, introduced me to the RAW processing. Shooting RAW significantly increased my ability to adjust the end-result, fix it if necessary and apply special effects after the fact. I am using Adobe Lightroom for processing and post-processing, sorting and labeling of my images. At the same time I have to admit that processing require a great deal of additional time and many amateur photographers do not have or do not want to spend on this task. Are you shooting RAW? What tools do you use for processing?
A couple of years ago a friend of mine, a professional photographer, introduced me to the RAW processing. Shooting RAW significantly increased my ability to adjust the end-result, fix it if necessary and apply special effects after the fact. I am using Adobe Lightroom for processing and post-processing, sorting and labeling of my images. At the same time I have to admit that processing require a great deal of additional time and many amateur photographers do not have or do not want to spend on this task. Are you shooting RAW? What tools do you use for processing?
Thanks a lot for invitation to this great communtiy, Michael!
ReplyDeleteAlas, the post processing takes a reasonable amount of time, I completely agree. I'm shooting in RAW mode too (no jpegs saved) and also do my processing in Lightroom.
You are very welcome, Igor!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invitation Michael Mossiagin , I have all my cameras set for raw/jpg, in the hope that one day I'll have the time to sit down and look what needs processing. I have CS5 on my computer but have never really looked into how it works
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Edward Dirks ! I learn more with every post: a moment ago I did not know what CS5 stands for :) You must have lots of space on your memory card to store both RAW and JPEG files! I agree though - this is probably the most sure of the ways to achieve what you meant to shot: If JPEG is to your liking, you just use it - otherwise - take a RAW file and try manipulating it until you get what you want.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invitation Michael Mossiagin.
ReplyDeleteI only shoot in RAW. I use a number of programs to process depending on what I'm trying to achieve. Here is a short list.
Adobe Camera RAW 8
Photomatix Pro 5 (Best HDR processing imo)
Lightroom 5
Photoshop CS6 with these plugins: Google Nik Software, Topaz Labs, Imagenomics, Red field, Alien Skin.
LOL.. Those are the toys I play with.
Thanks Weston Le for this info! It looks like you have got a lot of toys to play with - lucky you! That explains partially the high quality of your works!
ReplyDeleteMichael Mossiagin thank you.. I'm flattered. I forgot to mention that I chose o shoot RAW because I'm a post process junky. I could spend hours and days on a shot that I really like. For example. The Dillon Beach Tree Path HDR photo that I recently posted was one that I really liked. I spent about 4 days on it to get the tone that I really liked, along with the blur filter to help create multiple depths.. (I don't know if people notice it or not cause you'd have to view the image enlarged).. :D
ReplyDeleteBut yea.. You can't go wrong shooting RAW
Weston Le . Wow, 4 days for one shot. It is a serious dedication!
ReplyDeletethijs gerhardus. Thanks for your input. My general conclusion is that most people use RAW. Another possible conclusion would be that Adobe Tools are the most favorable for processing and post processing.
ReplyDelete