2 DPP questions

[aam1234]

Hi,

- After playing around with a raw file and want to exit the program it asks you if you want to save the changes. Would like to know what's actually being saved.

- Saw in DPP site that you can desaturate the raw file to get B&W. Tried it and find it quite nice. Was wondering if other people tried that and what they think about that technique. Also, would you do more tweaking in PS later or desaturation is enough. I know this is a matter of taste/preference but would like to hear your opinion about it.

Thanks

[tzalman]

It saves the list of new parameters that you set. The next time you open the Raw file it will open with the new parameters, which can then be changed again if you want to. The actual Raw data is not changed.
Elie

[aam1234]

Thanks Elie, I suspected that.

What would you recommend, save the changes or ignore them.

[mdr]

Desaturate in DPP or PS gives good results, but using the channel mixer in PS produces even better results. Desaturate gives the same result with all three colours (channels) set equally. Playing about with individual channels (making sure total adds up to 100), gives you the same control as B&W filters in traditional B&W photography. For example, setting the red channel to 100, the others to 0 would be similar to a deep red filter.

Apart from the channel mixer, you may want to try and adjust curves and the dodge and burn tool. These are the digital equivalent of B&W darkroom techniques perfected over the past century. For example, a gentle S-curve would increase the contrast, just as hard(er) paper would achieve in the dark room. And dodge and burning speaks for itself.

The only disadvantage of the digital B&W darkroom is that you don't get high on the chemicals :D .

[aam1234]

Thanks Marc.

The channel mixer is the main reason I want to upgrade to PSE 3.0. You are making the decision a lot easier :)