PE3 Raw Editing Question

[Hydro]

When opening a raw image in PE3, I noticed that there is already some tweaking done automatically, with the auto check boxes already selected by default. Is this based on a preference setting somehow in the program, or is it based on that particular image?

Puzzled about these pre-set levels, so if anyone can help I would appreciate it. Is a better practice to uncheck the auto boxes and start from stratch?

I'm at the first step of learning post processing, and I find that it is quite easy to take a pretty good image right out of the camera and make it worse with just a few simple mouse clicks----------but I'm learning.

Oh, and if I could squeeze in another question-------

Am I wasting my time using a pretty good LCD monitor? I was discouraged to learn that the nice LCD I just had to have for my computer is apparently inferior to a CRT when editing images in PS. Is it true that the LCD can't be calibrated with the Adobe Gamma tool?

[jimsolt]

When opening a raw image in PE3, I noticed that there is already some tweaking done automatically, with the auto check boxes already selected by default. Is this based on a preference setting somehow in the program, or is it based on that particular image?

Puzzled about these pre-set levels, so if anyone can help I would appreciate it. Is a better practice to uncheck the auto boxes and start from stratch?

I'm at the first step of learning post processing, and I find that it is quite easy to take a pretty good image right out of the camera and make it worse with just a few simple mouse clicks----------but I'm learning.



I think the "auto" checkmarks you see when opening the raw converter in Elements are only that, checkmarks. You have the option of using them or making ajustments. I'm positive no tweaking has been done to the RAW image until you check the OK and save your file.

[BlueTit]

Hi

I am new to editing on PE3 so I can not be of much, help. My problem is that the default image in PE3 does not look as good as the preview in ACDSee or in Canons Digital Photo Professional package. I usually adjust the four itms that are ticked but invariably go back to the suggested settings for at least three of them, the one I usually leave with my manual setting is exposure.

Regarding a LCD or CRT screen, I wondered that myself, see http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74403 where i asked the same question, last night. Personally with my LCD and CRT side by side I much prefer the LCD.

Good luck with PE3, I will be watching for someone with more experience than me to drop by.

[Hydro]

Thanks for the responses. But still wondering why the auto boxes are selected and values are present by default when the image opens. I know you can deselect and do whatever......but why doesn't it open at zero like levels do in the standard editing screen.

I guess the reason I want to know, is I am wondering if those values that the image opens with are what the program senses the image needs, or are they just some stuck default preference or something?

Thanks for the link regarding the monitors, BT.

[Hellashot]

When you uncheck the boxes, you see the image as it was recorded in its RAW form. PSE is doing an "autofix" for you. For the most part it is a good starting point and I'm often right near the values it automatically chooses. And I ALWAYS turn the sharpness down to 0 so that I can always start with an unsharpened image and am not sharpening an image that has already been sharpened (bad idea)

[ejwebb]

I agree with Hellashot - the checks are often a good starting point. I, too always turn the sharpening down to zero and have preferences for many of the other settings as well. If you want you can set a "camera default" by adjusting the sliders wherever you want them and then clicking on the little triangle next to the "settings" box and selecting "set camera default". These settings are then used as you new starting point whenever you open a raw file. I tend to change my default occasionally but it really does not matter because I always fiddle with the sliders to get it just right for each picture.

[Hydro]

Thanks for the good info. Just a follow up so I am clear on this. Do you drag the sharpen level back to zero, then sharpen after tweaking the other levels? Or do you leave the sharpening for PS (like USM) after exiting the Raw edit screen.

I think I may be making the common noob mistake of oversharpening.

[ejwebb]

Leave the sharpening for PS where you have more control - after exiting the RAW screen.

[EOSAddict]

Have just spent a "small fortune" according to my wife on a new PC and 19" LCD Monitor (LG1915S) along with PE3 to allow me to do something constructive with over a year's worth of EOS300D pics that had been sitting 'gathering dust' on my previous steam driven PC. As a result am just starting to shoot Raw instead of JPEG (with the Wasia hack to allow me to save LF jpeg too).

Have also just loaded up Rawshooter Essentials so am trying to get my head round a sensible (and relatively painless!) workflow between PE3, RSE. Any advice on RSE vs PE3 Camera Raw?

By the way looking at my LCD next to my Samsung Syncmaster 19" CRT, the LC wins every time - not least foir the two feet of desk space I have just reclaimed but also much easier on the eyes - but still not sure about colour profiles on the LCD!

[ejwebb]

I set up a separate folder called "RSE conversions" and included it in the watched folders list in PSE3 Organizer. I tweak and convert the RAW files into TIFF's using RSE and then the next time I open PSE3 they are automatically updated into the Organizer for additional processing. This process takes advantage of the RSE processing speed and ability to work on several files at once. I usually tweek one file from a shooting session in RSE and then apply those settings to all similar shots, tweaking each as necessary before converting. This is a real time-saver.

This process means that I have both the original RAW and the edited TIFF in the Organizer separately - which is not the best scenario - but short of selecting each one and stacking it with the original I can see no way around it. I just end up categorizing both versions. This is my current workflow when I use RSE - sometimes I convert in DPP or in ACR, depeding on the needs of the photo and my intentions for output. Hope this helps!

[mkh]

Try http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/. The forums there are very good and they will be able to answer your questions.