Raw To Tiff

[Hal]

I am interested in shooting raw, converting the raw file to 16 bit Tif, modifying the image and finally converting the 16 bit image to 8 bit as a stored JPEG. Does anyone have any experience with this technique? I have been told it is possible. HAL

[Daniel Bates]

Sure, it's possible. You might want to try posting the question in Photo Tips though...

But to answer your question more completely, don't save the final image as a JPEG. Save it in some lossless format, like TIFF or PSD.

[DigitalScape]

Hal, Yes this is definitely doable- especially if you are using sa software package such as Photoshop, but as Daniel noted you should save the final version of the photo in a lossless file type like TIF or PSD. If you want a 8-bit JPEG (i.s. for web posting), then save a seperate version. Also if you save a 8-bit JPEG version for web posting, change the color space to sRGB (if not already using this color space).

John

[Hal]

Thanks to Daniel and John for their advice. What do I do after shooting raw- do I immediately save as a TIF and do modifications of the image in 16 bit color and then save again as an 8 bit TIFF ( archiving) and also an 8 bit JPEG(for web sending). I have Photoshop 7 and a D70 Nikon. If either one of you could give me step by step directions for this maneuver I'd be very grateful. Do I need an additional plug-in for Photoshop to do these conversions? Thanks a million once again. HAL

[Daniel Bates]

The conversions are all done through the "save as" dialog. You can select TIFF and JPEG from the drop-down menu, and then adjust the compression and format settings from there.

[merock]

oops.....

[merock]

Hal,
You might need a plug-in for PS7 to open up your RAW images in. Once you have your RAW images open in Photoshop, go ahead and edit them as you would. After you are happy with the edits, do a File > save as and save your files as a .psd or .tiff. Both of these are lossless file formats. Now if you want to save as a .jpeg, you have to convert from a 16bit to an 8bit file. Once you have done that you can do a File > save as and save it as a .jpeg. If you are wanting to put the .jpegs on the web, then I suggest you change the image profile to sRGB then edit it and maybe even downsize it to fit on web (screen resolution is 72 as opposed to print 300) then do a File > save for web (this compresses the file even more so it will load on the web faster). So now you will have two of the same files just different sizes i.e. DSC_1234.psd (this is your 16bit high-res lossless file in the profile of your choice, usually adobe RGB or Prophoto RBG) and DSC_1234.jpg (this is your low-res 8bit web image in sRGB [sRGB is the web color profile]). Hope this helps and isnt to confusing.

[ndsimm]

depending on what I shoot, that is exactly my workflow. I open my RAW images in Bridge, make exposure and other adjustments there, batch convert to TIFF, then open in Photoshop, fine tune and save as jpeg.
It never occurred to me to save as a PSD although the option has come up a few times, I just always figured one I was finished with the image, and sending the joeg to print, I was done and if I made any changes, I could do it to the TIFF or even the RAW.... something to consider.....thanks guys....

[dsjsws]

Originally Posted by Hal

What do I do after shooting raw- do I immediately save as a TIF and do modifications of the image in 16 bit color and then save again as an 8 bit TIFF ( archiving) and also an 8 bit JPEG(for web sending).
HAL

Hal,

For archival purposes I always archive my RAW files. That way as technology changes, styles change and my expertise grows, I can always go back to the RAW file and start over if I wish.
I would prefer to work in a 16 bit tiff most of the time, however technology has not caught up, so I end up working in 8 bit tiffs most of the time so that my plug-ins will work.
I can always go back and use the raw file when technology catches up to convert to a 16 bit tiff for future modifications.
Maybe someday techology will just let me work with the RAW files without converting.
I know I use a lot of hard drive space and DVD's just archiving the RAW and 8-bit tiffs.
If you are also archiving the 16 bit tiffs you are eating a even more hard drive space.
Good luck.

Donna

[haraki74]

OK, some confusion here. If you are creating an image for print purposes, are you guys sending the tiff to the lab?

[dlbdata]

For verification, check with your lab. Some limit file sizes and some don't. Most labs will take TIFF or JPG. Some labs will also require minimum pixel count in reference to print sizes that can be suitably be printed.

The lab I use takes JPG or TIFF. Normally I send mine in TIFF format knowing that the file size is quite large and will take some time to upload.

David

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I always archive the RAW image files as well. I'm really not sure why you want to conver to 16-bit TIFF though? Are you doing a lot of post-processing and are worried about "rounding" errors? TIFFs are just so large that I would never consider working with them unless there was a REALLY good reason.

As for converting them and then saving as another format, have you considered saving them as Digital/Portable Negative files? I think Photoshop calls them DNG files. They're basically your RAW files with a little sump'em sump'em added in.

- Wil

[srwatters]

My general workflow is as follows:

RAW image is converted via ACR into Photoshop at 16bits, 300 ppi, ProPhoto RGB color.
All edits are done in 16bit ProPhoto - saved as compressed tiff if it's a final image selection
Convert to aRGB, 8 bit, single layer - saved as compressed tiff (printable master image)
Crop and save as for final sizing
Resize for web, convert to sRGB, frame, logo - saved as jpg (web portfolio image)
I save the RAW + ACR sidecar file along with the 16bit tiff as my 'digital negative and master edit'

I use PSCS2 and ACR for my processing.

[digitaldooda]

I have a new workflow. I first archive my files after adjustments by batch converting to DNG. This is an open source code from Adobe that other softwares can see. It also insures that the file be accessible in the future. Raw file formats are proprietory and are only accessible while the manufacturer supports it. I find myself wondering what is going to happen to all those RAW Minolta and Konica file formats. Sony now has that camera line and technology and they are getting ready to lauch a DSLR with interchangeable Minoltal lenses. .....I digress. Anyway, by preserving the DNG, you can convert later to whatever your output demands. I wouldn't archive in srgb. I would preserve the original image information in Pro RGB or at least Adobe1998, These are broader color spaces. Do convert to srgb before publishing on the web or sending to many photo labs. I prefer doing my own conversions. If you are going to do further tonal adjustments, a 16 bit tiff is more flexible and if you do this on an adjustment layer in the luminousity mode, you can avoid color crossover. You can use te browser in CS2 to batch save in any format and to rename your files for better DAM (diigtal asset management) practices.
Vickie

[billbunton]

I make basic gang adjustments to the NEF (mostly WB, occasionally I'll work on exposure a bit). I also apply the ACR calibration for the body I shot with, apply standard metadata that didn't get applied when downloading, and do some keywording and basic grading. The NEFs and sidecars are stored on a Windows box, and I burn two DVD archives of these.

I then batch convert to DNG (though I do the batch conversion in ACR), with the resulting DNGs stored on the Mac. These will also get archived to DVD when I have a DVD's worth. These, plus any edited files, are what get cataloged in iview.

Any files I want to use get final adjustments in ACR, then are converted to 16-bit TIF in ProPhoto RGB. Aside from any adjustments, I have actions to add standardized adjustment layers for the papers I print with the most (the action makes sure they are not displayed). These tiffs become the final working copy, and also get archived.

I have actions to turn on the appropriate printer adjustment layer, flatten, and save the resulting flattened tiff to a particular directory on the Windows box, where I can pick it up with qimage for printing. I also have actions to generate 8-bit jpegs of various sizes, and with varying frames/logos/etc.