WOW! 1st time using RAW

Good advice...JPG for most shots and RAW for the pro shoot as this is what the people want as an enlargement on their wall!

Del

After reading this thread, I'm going to start shooting RAW more. As of right now, I've only got a 512MB card, and when I shoot, I shoot a ton...so I need more than that.

Speaking of which, if you're considering switching to RAW and are interested in getting enough memory to cover it, check this out:

SANDISK 2GB CompactFlash Card - $79.99

http://www.jr.com …e.process?Produ​ct=3729426

Spiral Photo wrote:
After reading this thread, I'm going to start shooting RAW more. As of right now, I've only got a 512MB card, and when I shoot, I shoot a ton...so I need more than that.

Speaking of which, if you're considering switching to RAW and are interested in getting enough memory to cover it, check this out:

SANDISK 2GB CompactFlash Card - $79.99

http://www.jr.com …e.process?Produ​ct=3729426

Depending on your camera, if you have the 20D or higher you would want the Ultra II which you can get for only a little more. I saw one for $89.99. The Ultra is faster.

When I shoot, I shoot in RAW. When I download the images I run them through RawShooter which converts all of the RAW to .jpg automatically so I then have a copy of each in .jpg. It takes very little work on my part. I just select all photos and say go and it does it. Of course you can be very selective on each or any photo or let the program convert them automatically. You tell it large, medium, etc.

Of course the RAW files are never touched and remain unchanged.

This way, you'll always have the RAW (negatives) and the .jpg files. Takes more hard drive but that's cheap now and more importantly, you only need to store the RAW image on the memory card and don't take extra space for the .jpg.

Just a thought!

I forgot to mention something that was very important. I didn't know it at first but finally realized just how much RAW does.

First of all: Raw records the photo in 16 bits so it effectively records twice as much information as .jpg is 8 bits. Naturally, this is very important in regards to the detail captured.

Second: RAW format is non lossy. That means that it does not lose any information. .jpg loses data every time you save it. In other words, when you are tweaking the .jpg file in Photoshop, every time you save your work you lose some data. .jpg files are called lossy.

It's allways a good idea to convert those photos you want the most to a non-lossy format like .tif, .psd. PSD is the format photoshop uses. I might point out that both .psd and .tif are both 16 bit format so when you save to those formats you can work with them without loss. I'll also mention that RawShooter software will convert to either of these formats in addition to .jpg. RAW files can't be written over very easy. When you open them in Photoshop, you have to convert them to some other format before saving them. This helps to ensure your originals stay original!

I'll add one thing more: when working with photos in Photoshop, use the .psd format. That way you can save the files with the layers non-flattened and you can continue work on them later. This is a good tip for those that don't know it.

I hope this information helps and if I've left any questions please let me know.

So far, I've fallen in love with shooting RAW. My sharpening halos are 90% gone now! Once again, because of this thread, I'm getting a 2GB Extreme II card within the next week.

Here's a pic that I shot tonight as a RAW test.

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I only shoot in RAW unless I have to print on site, then I shoot RAW+jpg. Your concern is that it takes so long to process a RAW file correctly and you're sorta right. But it sounds to me like you're able to get reasonably good shots in the camera. That really doesn't change going to RAW. I would think your processing time would be much less given the fact that you've gotten the best exposures possible already in the camera.

Last wedding I did (back in December...lol) I shot RAW only. I even did the candid guest shots at the reception in RAW. I tend to batch convert my files though so it's a much quicker process than one at a time.

RAW all the way.. since getting over the initial 'scary' phase I haven't looked back

R-A-W!

Really Artistic Work?

If you can fit it do both. RAW and JPG.. That's what I go.. Then I can pick and choose later.

If your camera has the feature, store BOTH the JPEG and the RAW! That way, if you don't need to adjust a photo considerably, you can simply use the JPEG. But if you have to save a really badly exposed shot, you have the RAW available to do that. It can 'save your bacon'! You get the best of both worlds...speed if JPEG fine, editing capability if the JPEG doesn't suit well for the shot taken.

The way I shoot, I wouldn't have enough room for both JPG and RAW. I do parties, and in doing so, I can make away with over 250 shots. Therefore, JPG/RAW combo shooting isn't feasible, even with a 2GB card.

Why not shoot RAW mode, you get more pictures on your card, then run RawShooter on the images and you quickly have .jpg for each! That way you don't use up that precious space on your card.

Just a thought!

>>The way I shoot, I wouldn't have enough room for both JPG and RAW.(Digital Rebel)<<
>>Why not shoot RAW mode, you get more pictures on your card<<

2GB CF loaded and empty in my 20D, set to RAW and Large fine JPEG, and the camera says 151 exposures on it to be taken. I have another 2GB memory card, and 2 1GB cards as well. And, I can always offload images to a storage device.

Usually for vacation I store small JPEG just to be able to quickly and easily email photos to friends/relatives while still on the trip, so I would normally get even more photos.

I don't really perceive the need to choose one format and then have to wait for RawShooter to convert them, as the time 'is free' if I let the camera do it!

Eh...I'm not fond of my images being "enhanced" without my supervision.