Camera RAW-Who uses it? (hobby, processing, photoshop, cameras)

[Alpha8207]

OK, until recently, I thought RAW was for pros and most of us novices would be lost. Then I read an article that said quite possibly the pros are the ONLY ones that might not need to shoot in RAW.

On that comment, I switched my Rebel XT to Raw+jpg and have been amazed at what I've seen. I've just been playing for a couple of days, but the difference is amazing.

So, my question here is, how many of you guys shoot in RAW and what advice can you share with someone whose feet are just getting damp?

This may be a 'secret' to many of the awesome pics I've seen here, so if you feel like you're giving away a secret family recipe, I totally understand.

[Inthesierras]

I have been reading about the raw format also, I just haven't used it. I am also interested in what others here have done.

Alpha - What is the difference you are seeing?

[Rita Mordio]

I've honestly never used any settings for digital pictures. I find that I can capture more "life" without settings.

Of course I like to fix red eye on the computer, but that's about it.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by Inthesierras

I have been reading about the raw format also, I just haven't used it. I am also interested in what others here have done.

Alpha - What is the difference you are seeing?

It's really hard to explain.

The setting I use now (RAW+jpg) does exactly as it's name implies. When I take a picture, two 'images' are captured. One is the regular jpg that I've always used and the other is the RAW file. It's cleaner, sharper, and crisper and the way you can manipulate it is incredible.

Actually, Inthesierras, when I saw my first RAW images I said to myslef "That must be how Inthesierras gets those awesome shots!' LOL, guess I was wrong on that.

I'm using Photoshop Elements and there's a new Adobe RAW plug-in available on their site.

Basically, the RAW is the equivalent to a film negative. You can change the f-stops down 2 and up 4. There's some sharpening features, cleaning up 'noise', temperature etc and it's all done in the RAW file prior to opening it as a jpg. The result is a much better image.

If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it. Again, I was like "There's nothing that a RAW file will give me that I can't do in Photoshop." I was wrong wrong wrong.

I don't have any examples here at the office but maybe I'll try and provide some shots later today or tomorrow.

[Matt Angry]

I only shoot in RAW. I have more contol of my photos shooting in RAW.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

I've honestly never used any settings for digital pictures. I find that I can capture more "life" without settings.

Of course I like to fix red eye on the computer, but that's about it.

If you take digital pictures, you have to use some setting. It might be the default settings, but it's settings all the same.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by Matt Angry

I only shoot in RAW. I have more contol of my photos shooting in RAW.

Exactly. I'm truly excited about learning how to get what I want out of my pictures. This is a powerful option. I'm no expert by any stretch, but as a novice hobbyist, I can see this being very beneficial.

Being able to bracket a shot on the computer is awesome.(just to name one!)

[ShepsMom]

I'm am too, shoot only RAW. It's simply a clean data without compression of JPEG file, hence, RAW, your camera takes shot as it sees it withough additional inchancements. You do that in post processing to your liking. Don't have to worry about WB, which i like a lot, and other garbabage that comes with jpeg's

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by ShepsMom

I'm am too, shoot only RAW. It's simply a clean data without compression of JPEG file, hence, RAW, your camera takes shot as it sees it withough additional inchancements. You do that in post processing to your liking. Don't have to worry about WB, which i like a lot, and other garbabage that comes with jpeg's

Good point on the white balance. I'm wondering if I could have achieved that look in the Christmas picture I was working on last month by shooting in RAW.

A project for next year, I guess!

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

If you take digital pictures, you have to use some setting. It might be the default settings, but it's settings all the same.

I've always considered RAW to be a non-setting.. forgive me for being ignorant of digitalness of cameras.

My previous camera had a setting of "RAW" - which the book explained that it was an image without any auto balance from the camera. And that's the "setting" I almost always used.