In desperate need of advice ...

Guys, I really need your valued and expert opinion here...

If possible, I'd like for one of the die-hard users here to launch Picasa (if you have it). For the life of me I sware Picasa not only reads BUT allows you to EDIT RAW files on-the-fly prior to converting / or expoting as they term it. (I could be wrong).
For example, here are two images I worked on which were shot exclusively in RAW and edited using Picasa:

Original RAW file ...

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31 views no replies. Thank you ALL for your valued assistance.

Regards,
Dave

DOrtiz wrote in post #1999270
31 views no replies. Thank you ALL for your valued assistance.

Regards,
Dave

Hi Dave, Sorry I can't offer any advice as I don't have Picasa yet (maybe 31 other people didn't either ), but you got my curiousity up enough about Picasa that I'm presently downloading it. I'll give a RAW file a try after I get it installed.

I just found this thread. I think your fix was amazing! I shoot RAW, but just started shooting sports. I'll have to look at this closer. Can't answer your question, sorry.

Found this on the Picasa site while I'm downloading it.

"Does Picasa support RAW format images?

Picasa currently supports RAW images from most of the cameras by the following manufacturers:

Canon (.CRW, .CR2)
Nikon (.NEF)
Olympus (.ORF)
Pentax (.PEF)
Kodak (.DCR)
Sony (.SRF)
Minolta (.MRW)
Fuji (.RAF)

EXIF data from RAW images is only supported with CRW files that have associated .THM files.

At this time, we do not support RAW images from the following cameras:

Kodak P850 (.KDC)
Adobe file format (.DNG)
FUJI S5200-S5600 (.RAF)
OLYMPUS E-300, E-500 (.ORF) "

Dave, no computer and no software ever edits a JPEG or a TIFF or a RAW file or anything. What it does is:
1] read the source file
2] convert it into some convenient internal representation
3] allow you to tinker with that internal representation
4] save the results in a format of your choice.

Does Picasa allow you to open a RAW file? It sounds like it does. But then so do lots of other programs.

Does Picasa allow you to save your work as a RAW file? You tell me (I don't know, I don't use it). But I'd be willing to bet the answer is NO.

StewartR wrote in post #1999881
Dave, no computer and no software ever edits a JPEG or a TIFF or a RAW file or anything. What it does is:
1] read the source file
2] convert it into some convenient internal representation
3] allow you to tinker with that internal representation
4] save the results in a format of your choice.

Does Picasa allow you to open a RAW file? It sounds like it does. But then so do lots of other programs.

Does Picasa allow you to save your work as a RAW file? You tell me (I don't know, I don't use it). But I'd be willing to bet the answer is NO.

I guess my question is does Picasa (since it supports RAW files) afford you the opportunity to make adjustments to the RAW data (same as DPP and RSx) before exporting/converting?

I know it doesn't have a levels adjustment (same as the more advanced converters) .. but I'm curious if it (like the others) offer the benefits of the "range" the RAW file has to offer while making adjustments prior to exporting/converting in comparison to a JPG file?

Hope I worded that one right .. I'm known not to make sense half the time.

Regards,
Dave

Mark ...

Mark_48 wrote in post #1999750
Found this on the Picasa site while I'm downloading it.

Mark, let me know your findings. I think you'll be pretty impressed if I'm correct here.

Regards,
Dave

Dave, I got it installed and played around with a couple of RAW files as well as some JPG's. As was mentioned I don't think the RAW file itself is being modified, but rather a "recipe" of adjustments is saved along with a given RAW file and when saved or exported it applies that recipe to the saved version.
So far I like the way Picasa does some functions, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the folder/thumbnail display for organizing and browsing, at least from what I'm used to. I've got to see if the thumbs can have a file name below it somehow.

Using the neutral color picker in Picasa ...

Using the neutral color picker in Picasa under the "tuning tab" allows you to do just that. As we know, this is helpful when correcting WB (RAW or JPG).

Here is a RAW image of my WhiBal cards where I used neutral color picker in Picasa and referrenced the neutral grey card to adjust the WB. It worked GREAT -- however, I still need to figure out how to apply that correction to other images (same shoot and lighting conditions) to adjust the WB.

Original:

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Mark .. folders ...

Mark_48 wrote in post #1999974
Dave, I got it installed and played around with a couple of RAW files as well as some JPG's. As was mentioned I don't think the RAW file itself is being modified, but rather a "recipe" of adjustments is saved along with a given RAW file and when saved or exported it applies that recipe to the saved version.
So far I like the way Picasa does some functions, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the folder/thumbnail display for organizing and browsing, at least from what I'm used to. I've got to see if the thumbs can have a file name below it somehow.

Mark, you can edit the folders it sees and assign only one folder if you like (for it to scan) when you import or transfer images to it. It can be configured further I assure you. I only have one folder on my desktop that is scans. I call it "New Uploads." When I transfer my images there, Picasa sees them and creates a sub-folder under it called new folder (which can be edited as well). It's there that it places the converted/exported files. You can also go back to the original RAW, open it for editing and right click asking it to undo all changes. It will undo everything you did.

I still have to fool around with it some more, but (IMO) I love the work-flow and speed for edting quick images for posting on the web as samples for prospective clients. When it comes to the more serious stuff, tiff, large prints etc.. I still go to PSCS2. It's the ease and speed of Picasa that interests me and it's auto correction in many cases. It appears to hit the colors dead on.

Regards,
Dave

Here'a another file where I cropped using Picasa and made some adjustments to the RAW file. This includes a crop of the payer on the right ...

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SuzyView wrote in post #1999710
I just found this thread. I think your fix was amazing! I shoot RAW, but just started shooting sports. I'll have to look at this closer. Can't answer your question, sorry.

Thanks for the kind words Suzy. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your sporting event images. We can all earn from one another, and I'm always eager to learn new ways and techniques of doing things.

Regards,
Dave

Damn! Looks like Picassa is a pretty handy RAW converter as well and a browser/viewer.

I'm impressed.

Yes, it appears that Picasa does indeed adjust and convert raw files. At first I thought it might be adjusting just the thumbnail JPEG, but when I exported the file it was a full size image file. I'm surprised that this hasn't been pointed out or advertised. It looks like it would make an excellent, fast and easy to use converter. For free even!