my first edit with RAW

I decided to experiment with editing RAW images and this is what I got. CC please.

Origional:

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

sorry

Origional

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Sarah, are you changing the white balance, curves or exposure? The first set are really dynamically different. In the second set which is more accurate to reality?

I am adjusting the white balance and some other things. I will be honest I am just messing with a bunch of controls and I don't know what is what. Do you not like the second?

Always go for what pleases you and your eye. The second birch photo is much more attractive to me but everything is subjective. Once you get the idea of what pleases folk who might match your "customers" then note those settings - or save them to make up a set which act as your starting point for various lighting and subject conditions.

Experiment and keep taking until your camera is natural in your hands and again with your editing programme. Remember that you have to be fairly special as nowdays you will be in competition with old fogies that have been taking pictures for over 50 years and have the gear to match the pros.

I'll echo what the previous poster says, Sarah. Go with what makes you happy I personaly think that the adjusted RAW images are an improvement over the originals. The warmth in the second RAW is never a bad thing in landscape images, reminds me of what you would have got putting an 81B warm up filter when shooting film.

Thank you Mojo, I have always like the warm look of things. I thought it helped the snowy look, since it is Vegas. I am still trying to learn how to edit them and not make them grainy, not sure why it does that.

Good Job. I think they look much better post processed. What RAW processing program are you using?

I am using the DPP that came with the Canon 20D

Are you using a Mac? If not there are some good RAW editors free for download that are better than the bundled Canon one.

I am a Mac user but from reports from friends - go and have a look on the web.

I used DPP once or twice, then I tried Raw Shooter Essentials 2005. A free program that is awsome for making adjustments to the RAW.
It's here if you're interested:
http://www.pixmantec.c​om …rawshooter_esse​ntials.asp