Touching up RAW images

[mooster]

Hi,

I just started shooting RAW + JPG. When I look at the files in DPP I notice that the RAW images are so much sharper and clearer. I guess this is why everyone shoots RAW.

I also discovered that I need to touch up the pictures in DPP, specifically the Sharpness and Contrast, to make pictures look extra nice.

I normally don't touch up my pics. I just started to learn the software.

Do you normally touch up your pics as well or does your pics come out picture perfect straight from the camera?

Do you use any special settings in the camera to get better looking photos?

BTW. I used a 40d with 24-105.

[MichSt]

Some of mine need "touching up" some don't. The most common tweek I find myself doing in DDP to "touch up" my raw files is adjusting the white balance - especially on indoor shots.

[gjl711]

... When I look at the files in DPP I notice that the RAW images are so much sharper and clearer. I guess this is why everyone shoots RAW....
I think that is an artifact of DPP, not the image itself. If you bring up the jpeg elsewhere, it’s doesn’t have that fuzzy look.

[cryforashadow]

The first thing I do while editing RAW is sharpening. For all of my pics, perfect or not. Then maybe correcting exposure. But I try to get the exposure right in the first place.

[Shutterbug Doug]

All my shots need a touch of PP no matter how sharp/contrasty they may appear. Slight WB tweak, saturation and light unsharp masking usually but not necessarily all 3. It gives them a little more "pop".
I feel you Mario, my walls are wood and I always get a yellow/brown look to all my indoor shots at home but raw is so flexible and sound tweaking the shots doesn't hurt them as it would a jpeg.

[gary88]

I adjust the white balance and exposure if necessary, add saturation, and sometimes play with the curves to get a little "pop". The I resize for web and add smart sharpening in CS3.

[Joe Cyr]

I think most everyone will tell you tweaking in DPP is very common, but you should also be opening in Photoshop and tweaking there as well. I find the sharpening in DPP is not the same as using unsharp mask in Photoshop.

[mooster]

Thanks everyone for your generous responses.

gjl711, you are very right. The jpg looks fine but on DPP it looks less refine than the RAW version.

So it's very common to touch up your pictures. I assumed looking at the fantastic pictures posted on this forum that that's how it should look right out of the camera.

Looks like I will need to educate myself not only in using the camera but on how to use its software and/or Photoshop as well. Thanks a bunch.