shooting raw

I am relatively new to strictly shooting raw.
I am wondering if someone can tell me if my images are supposed to look a bit pixelated in raw vs jpeg?
I just know my settings are the same, however my photos are not looking the same when I open them. I am also new to working w/PS bridge, is there a 'routine' to using it or basics I should follow?
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!
thanks!

I don't know what you mean by "pixelated" -- maybe you could explain and post a screen shot?

Raw images will tend to appear somewhat different in tones/colors than out-of-the-camera jpegs when viewed in non-Canon software, simply because every Raw processor takes its own approach to "rendering" a "preview", but the overall image quality is not "diminished".

I tend to advise those who are new to shooting Raw to install and use the Canon Raw processing software Digital Photo Professional (DPP) that comes with our cameras. DPP gives you a preview that is based on your camera settings, a "jpeg-like" preview, as a "starting point".

As far a working from Bridge, open the image in Camera Raw and go to work! Try out the various tools -- Raw images are very cooperative to being "massaged", more so than jpegs! To me, it's best to get the most out of your Raw processor that you can! I'd get comfortable with the various panels in Camera Raw, especially the first few that cover tones, colors, sharpening, and the "special" tools like brushing, cloning spots, healing, gradients, etc...

What some people are thinking is pixelation is in fact color banding(posterization) instead.

There are a few things that could be causing this. One is that you're using an LCD monitor and don't have it set at an optimal visual angle so that you are looking at it straight on.
Could also be the monitor itself, or your monitor calibration adjustments are wrong.
Color banding could also be caused by excessive improper editing techniques. But since you're seeing it when you view your un-edited raw files I find that unlikely.

Here are some video tutorials to help you with Adobe Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw, and then Photoshop. Assuming you're using CS5. if not you can locate video tutorials for other versions at the same site. Just click the "Channels" Link.
http://tv.adobe.com/se​arch/?q=Adobe+Bridge
http://tv.adobe.com/se​arch/?q=CS5+Camera+Raw
http://tv.adobe.com/sh​ow/learn-photoshop-cs5/

I am not sure exactly how to describe it. I just know that what once looked tack sharp when doing jpeg files, now does not.
The situation is the same, (in studio) lighting etc.
SO, i know that the camera settings are good, just not sure if it's because I am not used to viewing them in this format or if I am completely crazy!

Like I said, Raw previews will be "different" until you apply some processing, unless you use DPP.

denise69 wrote in post #13242093
I am not sure exactly how to describe it. I just know that what once looked tack sharp when doing jpeg files, now does not.
The situation is the same, (in studio) lighting etc.
SO, i know that the camera settings are good, just not sure if it's because I am not used to viewing them in this format or if I am completely crazy!

What you see when you see a Jpeg out of the camera is a developed picture. The settings within the camera are pre-applied and the image processed and developed for you. I.e. the Picture Style, which includes Color Tone, Sharpening Contrast and Saturation.
Kinda like taking a picture with film and sending it off to Walmart or OneHour Photo to be developed. You have no creative input on the outcome.

What you see when you preview a Raw file is essentially an undeveloped image. No Sharpening, Saturation, Contrast or Color Tone adjustments have been applied, or just the absolute minimum defaults. Picture Style as well as some other setting are not applied, but the information is embedded into the Raw image data file.
This is an advantage because it gives you the ability to develop your images to taste rather than allowing the camera to do it for you.
That is what your Raw Develop/conversion software is for. Adobe Camera Raw or Canon Digital Photo Professional. Once you learn how to use the software you will soon see the advantages.
Adobe Camera Raw(ACR) is set up in a way that it will make your workflow easier. Start at the beginning from the top and work you way down. E.g. White Balance, Exposure and so on.

I have, since posting, installed all the Canon specific disks that came with my camera.
The photos already 'look' different with that program VS ps.
I have to remind myself that, as you both mentioned, they are unprocessed. I think I have to retrain my brain to see that.
SO, with that said, I will work on my work flow to get that down.
I truely appreciate you both taking the time to respond. It's nice to know people are willing to share experience and knowledge! The is a great forum!
Thanks again!!
have a great night.

Denise, I had difficulty for a long time looking at the "unsharpened" images when processing RAW. As Tony said, using DPP is a quick way of processing them but I chose to take the ACR/PS route and elected to have ACR do no pre sharpening for me. (There's an option in there but I can't remember what it is!).

Anyway, now I do what needs to be done in ACR then open in PS and the first thing I do is a SMALL but effective sharpening with unsharp-mask. It's not very obvious at full screen but sets my mind at rest and somehow improves the image.
After that I do any other PP work...usually just a bit of levels or curves and that's it. Depending on the end use I will either do a final sharpen, or just leave it.

Glad to see you gaining some understanding and insight!

Just know that you can get great results from Camera Raw/Photoshop, you just have to learn to work with it!

denise69 wrote in post #13242213
I have, since posting, installed all the Canon specific disks that came with my camera.
The photos already 'look' different with that program VS ps.
I have to remind myself that, as you both mentioned, they are unprocessed. I think I have to retrain my brain to see that.
SO, with that said, I will work on my work flow to get that down.
I truely appreciate you both taking the time to respond. It's nice to know people are willing to share experience and knowledge! The is a great forum!
Thanks again!!
have a great night.

Here is a great series of video tutorials from Canon that can help give you a better understanding of Raw image files and working with them using DPP.
http://www.learn.usa.c​anon.com …rials/dpp_tutor​ials.shtml

tonylong- thanks again for your time and input! much much appreciated!


tkerr- thanks for the info as well and the links, I will be taking a look!!!!

Do you know if the following program found on the below site is good for 64 version of Windows 7?

Digital Photo Professional 3.10.2 Updater Windows 7, File Name: DPP3102EN.exe
http://www.usa.canon.c​om …ras/eos_7d#Driv​ersAndSoft

THANKS

Digital Photo Professional installs and runs fine in Win7 64. Make sure that you navigate to the Win7 64-bit page. It looks as if the .exe file is the same for both "win7" and "Win7 64" though.

What are the differences between DPP and Lightroom 3.5 in respect to raw processing? Is it not sufficient to use Lightroom 3.5?

Lightroom and DPP are both built around a Raw processor, and if you have one you don't "need" the other -- what you will want is to add an image editor such as Photoshop/Elements to do editing tasks that go beyond Raw processing.

As to the differences between DPP and Lightroom, well, each has advantages. Lightroom has an extensive set of tools that make both developing and organizing images go quite smoothly and efficiently, as well as outputting images for various things. And, it has great tools for handling volumes of photos and, say, applying various settings to "batches" and such. So LR is a top-of-the-line app for a lot of things, and therefore comes at a price.

DPP has some "star" features, in that it "reads" and applies your in-camera settings (such as Picture Styles) to a Raw file Preview, and it has tools that match those in your camera so that you have a familiar "playing field" to work with. And, as a free app, DPP can actually do a complete job of processing and converting a Raw file for final use, so that makes "free" a pretty significant value!

As to which is best for you, I'd say install DPP and get to using it and get familiar with its various features. Then, once you are comfortable with DPP, check out Lightroom -- start with reading up on it, including the Lightroom 3 Help pdf that you can find online, and, when you are ready, download and install LR as a Free Trial -- you then have 30 days to explore! Continue reading up, and then you have many online resources where you can follow tutorials and such.

After 30 days, you should have a good idea as to whether Lightroom is worth the price, or if DPP is plenty to meet your needs!