Please help me with RAW format

[mamatojack]

I know this question should probably be in the post processing forum, but I noticed no one has been in there since Sept 28th, and I need my question answered ASAP. :D

I have never opened a RAW file before, and have no clue how to set the dimensions, channels, or header...or even what any of that means! Can anyone give me any tips. I have at least 20 pictures that I took today that are in the RAW format and OF COURSE some of them are my favorites (was a great day to take pictures of my 9 1/2 month old son). And how can I avoid having pictures come out in the RAW format in the future?

Sorry for so many questions at once, but I really appreciate ANY help anyone can give me!
Thank you so much!
~Katy

[FlipsidE]

The last post on the post processing forum was posted on Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:08 pm

FlipsidE

[Molydood]

I tried RAW for the first time ever recently, and to be honest I didn't really get on with it, as I got better reults shooting jpegs of the same subject.
Anyway, to help you out, I will share what limited knowledge I have.

1. With my 300d I use 'Fileviewer Utility' to open and process the RAW files
2. You stop it taking shots in RAW by selecting the image quality on the camera. On my 300d this means pressing menu and finding the picture quality settings, then selecting one of the alternatives (L, M, S)
hth
martin

[mamatojack]

The weird thing is, I never specifically selected "RAW" on my options. I always have it set at Large. The camera just did it automatically!

And oops..goofed on the forum date! :D Must of looked at the wrong end! I'm sorry!

[FlipsidE]

And oops..goofed on the forum date! :D Must of looked at the wrong end! I'm sorry!

- np at all. I just wanted to make sure that you knew.

FlipsidE

[daveh]

I have never opened a RAW file before, and have no clue how to set the dimensions, channels, or header...or even what any of that means!

I shoot RAWs all the time and it's not at all clear to me what you're asking about. I suppose some RAW converter is asking you these things? If so I'm guessing: dimensions - full camera dimensions, channels - 3, header um - standard??

[Andy_T]

Katy,

first of all, I really like your website!

What software/computer are you using?
I can't speak for macintosh, but on a PC, all the software that is needed for uncomplicated conversion from RAW to TIFF or JPG should be included. I only use RAW because the better quality it gives me is more important to me than the ease of use, and I also have not heard of the things you were asked.

In ZoomBrowser, you can convert the RAW image to TIFF and then work with it in Photoshop or another program. You could also install BreezeBrowser, which is a very convenient program. You can get a trial version at www.breezesys.com

Best regards,
Andy

PS: Take a look at http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=414436 !

[robertwgross]

On some cameras, you can shoot RAW files in any exposure mode you choose (e.g. Green Box, P, Tv, Av, etc.). On other cameras, it will not let you shoot RAW files in certain exposure modes. So, you might have selected one file type and then changed exposure mode, and then the camera took your RAW choice away from you.

So, if you shoot a RAW file, normally you need to convert it in the computer. We won't go into all of the different program choices here, but you can convert it into TIF (which I use all the time) or else to JPEG. When it is in either of those two file types, you can generally change dimensions and lots of stuff. The problem with JPEG is that for each time you re-save it, you can be throwing away little bits of photo detail.

For that reason, I keep all of my serious photos in TIF until after the editing process is finishes. Then, when no other changes are anticipated, I convert TIF to JPEG if I need to publish it to the web or send it in email. But I keep my TIF files available.

---Bob Gross---

[mamatojack]

Thanks so much, Molydood, for the EXCELLENT suggestion of using Fileviewer Utility! That made it MUCH eaiser for me! I was able to convert all my RAW images to jpegs quickly and easily. :D

And to all: thanks for being patient with a newbie!

~Katy

P.S. Andythaler: I wish I could take credit for the format of my website, but I do it through a company called Babywindow.com. I just plug in what pictures I want, and type in what I want to say, and it's done! I wish I was that talented to do websites like that!

[phili1]

Katy your question was what do I set it at.

You never want to do any adjustment unless it is in your imaging software, except for white balance. With Raw file you can elect color temp and adjust by Kelvin Temp. or you can select daylight, cloudy etc. What it does it give you the ability to make your photos warmer or cooler as you preceive the picture.

After you do this you save it to a folder on your hard drive and I convert it to TIFF so I can adjust without any loss of quality. Do all your adjustments in Photo shop. Then if you want convert them to JPG.

In Breezebrowser I usually adjust color temp and exposure and leave all teh rest to Photoshop and Intellisharpen.