RAW Editing verses Changing original file

[S230]

RAW Editing verses Changing original file

I have been taking photos using RAW mode and would like to submit some photos into photo contests. Some of my RAW files I have comments inserted or with White-balance changed. The file size and date is also changed. Before submitting, I would then extract to JPG then send the files with the new settings. My question of concern is with distorting or changing the original file. Even though I can reset the settings but the file itself is no longer in it's original state.
Most contests stipulate that photos taken must be in it's original format. Does this include comments inserted or changing white-balance?

The software I use is Zoombrowser or Canon's Digital Photo Professional 1.5

Example.
1. I take a photo in RAW using AUTO.
2. Using Zoombrowser, insert comment.. ie.. Photo taken at park.
3. Using Canon's Digital Photo Professional and change the white balance to make the image look the way you want to. ie. Daylight
4. Convert to JPG.
5. Send...

by entering document information or changing white balance or exposure, would that constitute to distorting the image?

If I reset the settings to default, the image may not look good anymore and still the file is no longer original.

any thoughts?

[steven]

You are going to have to ask the contest organizers what they mean by that rule.

Do they really want RAW format files?
There is information imbeded in the picture that state the date take by the camera clock. It is not easy to change this (though there is nothing in a computer file that cannot be changed).
Processing the RAW image is sort of like printing a negative for film, and I guess some contests would want the negative to tell just how good the photographer is, but to some extent being a good photographer is taking the good picture then processing a good print.

[S230]

Thanks Steve.

[scottbergerphoto]

First of all, your Raw file is never altered . What changes when you edit a raw file in ACR is the metadata that accompanies the file. When you edit a raw file and update it, that information is saved depending on your Preferences in the ACR Database on
your computer or in a separate .xmp boxcar file that travels with the Raw file unless you change it's name or location. Unless you send that with the raw file, they won't see your edits. That's the beauty of Raw. You can develop it any number of different ways and still have the original sensor data.
Scott

[S230]

Thanks Scottbergerphoto, I will do more reading on this. I thought by changing the setting will also change the file because the file size is different and cannot go back to original size.