New to RAW and Adobe, Please Help!!

[KobraCarry]

So I've been doing everything in JPEG and having good results. I keep hearing that RAW is the way to go and that you'll have better detail, etc, etc if you shoot in it.

So I gave it a shot with my 50d and used the Canon Utility program to convert it. I tweaked the color, contrast, etc and then converted it and saved it is a Tiff + Jpeg. I then opened it in Elements to do my standard look-over and a couple of extra tweaks.

It seemed to take a lot of extra time and comparing it to a JPEG image of the exact same thing, I see absolutely no difference.

What am I missing? Also I always shot in sRGB, but I'm hearing I should be shooting in Adobe RGB. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks

KobraCarry added 185 Minutes and 7 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Anyone?????????????

KobraCarry added 440 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Somebody????????

[Westx]

I have the 50D and shoot in RAW and do all my processing in DPP. So far the only thing I am using PSE7 for is to Process mutilple photos to reszie them for the web since I started making my web pics 800x600. I am still learing PSE7 but haven't need to do much with it as find I can do most of it in DPP. I imagin once I learn more at it that I will use it more but so for haven't had to. I also only do sRGB. With RAW you have more detail to work with so it handles processing better than a JPEG without lossing detail.

[Cerbera LM]

Raw allows more control when processing the picture. With raw the camera's picture processing settings (sharpening/contrast/WB/etc) are not applied to the file. If you open a raw file in DPP you can apply any picture style & WB to it. And then change it again.

With jpeg the camera applied the picture style to the file before it wrote it to memory card. When you open a jpeg in DPP and change the picture style and/or WB the results can be interesting.

I shoot raw, use DPP to adjust WB and exposure, write tiffs and use PS for all other edits. For me being able to adjust the WB is the biggest advantage.

Raw is "better" but if you're a happy camper with jpeg stay with what works. Raw/jpeg is like Apple/Windows or Canon/Nikon discussions. Would recommend shooting raw enough to be familiar with it.

aRGB vs sRGB depends on you're output. If your printer supports aRGB use it, but for web viewing and nearly all consumer level photo labs use sRGB. With jpeg one can change from aRGB to sRGB when editing the picture. Switching a jpeg from sRGB to aRGB is not recommended. With raw the profile is like WB, it doesn't matter, one's editing software will set the profile to whatever you want it to be.

[The Loft Studios]

RAW allows you to control DENSITY, COLOR, CONTRAST, SHARPNESS, etc... in a non-destructive form.

Try this test: Overexpose a JPG by 1-2 stops, then do the same with a RAW. Then underexpose a JPG by 1-2 stops, then do the same with a RAW. Now Process your JPG to get proper DENSITY, COLOR, CONTRAST, etc and then process your RAW in ACR.....

We will all await your expression

[KobraCarry]

Cool. That all makes sense. If I shoot in RAW, make my adjustments and then save it as a JPEG, will it keep all its information or will it lose something in the conversion?

[Patti Edens]

Originally Posted by KobraCarry

Cool. That all makes sense. If I shoot in RAW, make my adjustments and then save it as a JPEG, will it keep all its information or will it lose something in the conversion?

The RAW will still contain all of its original info. And then, later, when someone comes out with software that will pull even more out of the RAW, you'll have your RAW file to play with.

In most cases though, if you take the photo right in the camera (don't over or underexpose and get the white balance right, etc.), a jpeg is all you need.

But, since I never know when I might accidently have the wrong white balance set or the exposure set wrong, I always shoot RAW just in case.

Ideally for me is to shoot RAW plus a jpeg. Then, if I get it right in camera, I just save that RAW for later and I already have a jpeg without having to do much if any processing. But I only do that if I'm sure I have enough memory cards with me.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by KobraCarry

So I've been doing everything in JPEG and having good results. I keep hearing that RAW is the way to go and that you'll have better detail, etc, etc if you shoot in it.

As a beginner and not knowing anything about RAW, I've only shot jpeg since buying my camera. Last week however, I was introduced to RAW and very briefly taught the advantages of it. Here is one of my first RAW shots with some minor processing applied. It was slightly underexposed when I shot it, (on purpose.)

From what I've experienced so far, RAW is a good safety net *for me*. I've downloaded Lightroom, and with the ability to adjust the exposure levels, fill light, black levels, etc... it looks really easy to take a not so good picture, and make it a good picture. I thought adjusting the brightness/contrast on a jpeg was basically the same thing, but I now realize that it truly isn't. Still, my goal is to get it right in the camera the first time, and I am still shooting jpeg until I become more familiar with RAW.

I second whoever stated to over/under expose an image, and experiment a bit. Even if you DONT become a converted RAW shooter, at least you'll have another tool on your belt!

[HeatherLFoster]

How do I shoot in RAW on my Canon Rebel?

[zebulus]

How is it you guys havent touched RAW yet? Ive been shooting RAW since I first bought my very first DSLR. When I saw the difference in quality...I never looked back.

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by HeatherLFoster

How do I shoot in RAW on my Canon Rebel?

Menu -Camera1- Quailty - Raw or get both with raw+L

[Cerbera LM]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

Menu -Camera1- Quailty - Raw or get both with raw+L

If you don't see raw on you menu, move the control dial from the green square to a letter (P, Av Tv, M). That's the best part of shooting raw, it'll get you out of fully auto.

[Dennis_H]

Originally Posted by HeatherLFoster

How do I shoot in RAW on my Canon Rebel?

which version of the Rebel? If it is an old 300D version, you can change the firmware and shoot RAW in any mode. Otherwise, start on the P, Av, Tv, M side of the dial to shoot RAW. Select the settings from the menu when you are on that side of the dial and many things open up to you.

[venchka]

Can anyone explain to me why a person would make JPEG files in their camera? If they had a choice?

Huh?

Bueller? Bueller? Anybody?

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by venchka

Can anyone explain to me why a person would make JPEG files in their camera? If they had a choice?

Huh?

Bueller? Bueller? Anybody?

I agree, I probobly shoot 90% of my stuff in RAW, and then when Im doing snapshots ill do jpeg fine. I dont go below jpg fine, ever.

Are there any Dslr's that still do TIFF? My old D100 did TIFF.

[srwatters]

I don't know about you all, but it's not RAW, it's RAWR. Because every time I press the shutter I make that noise.

I'm so funny, I crack myself up!

Obligatory on topic tidbit: I like to think of it this way... If you shoot film and take it to the mini-lab for developing and printing, you're shooting jpg. If you develop and print in your own darkroom, you're shooting RAW.

Personally, I believe I can process an individual image better than the camera's firmware because I know how I shot it and how I want it to look. The camera firmware must be compromise to fit any and all situations. Of course YMMV.