Canon Rebel XT RAW + JPEG

Please help!

I am a new canon rebel XT user and new to this forum. My past cameras, have all been simple point and shoot. Since buying my Rebel XT I only shoot in the auto mode. I have no idea where to even begin to experienment with the settings. I love the camera most of the time, but most of my pictures come out overexposed. I always need to go into photoshop elements and redo the contract, color, etc. In reading through this forum (over whelming) I can already see that I need to start learning about the camera settings, other than auto modes and adjust the ISO speed, white noise, etc.

I was reading about camera RAW format and figured that maybe this is the way I need to shoot my pictures. I tried setting my Rebel XT to Camera RAW format and I see where my camera is already set to RAW + JPEG. I did a test photo to download in RAW format, but when I did download the test photo it was still in JPEG. Is this because I need to set my camera other than "Auto mode"? I'm thinking that RAW does not work in "auto mode". Is this correct?

I would appreciate any help I can get. I really would like to be able to shoot in both RAW and JPEG formats and download both, then do my adjusting in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Thank you for reading this and your patience. I have so much to learn.

Sorry if this has already been addressed, I've done searches but could not find an answer to my problem (probably because it's so basic - but not for me.)

Sincerely,

Maryb

yes, RAW is available only in P, M, Av and Tv modes

First, welcome to the forum. You are on the right track reading here because that is how I learn to avoid many pitfalls and great techniques.

My advice is this:
1) Read all the stickies in each forum. You will get so many "ah ha" moments your head will spin.
2) Understand metering and the metering modes. If you are on auto, you still may not be metering right and overexposing due ot metering off dark areas where your pictures may have many lighter areas.
3) Take a simple photography course via the mail (i.e. New York Institute of Photography) or locally to get oriented a bit. If you like reading, then get some books on photography and magazine subscriptions. Simply understanding the jargon is a big step.
4) Keep asking questions (there are no dumb ones).

I only began dSLRs and photography in general earlier this year and learned everything in 6-8 months that I know, but I have read and learned and practiced almost every day.

Great to have you here and keep going!

Maryb wrote in post #2385470
.... I'm thinking that RAW does not work in "auto mode". Is this correct?....

That is correct. For a great primer on the use and benefits of RAW, read this.

coreypolis wrote in post #2385487
yes, RAW is available only in P, M, Av and Tv modes

Thank you for the info.

Really appreciate your response.

Maryb

Dear Canoflan,

Thank you so very much. I so appreciate your response to me. I feel better just knowing that there are so many of you who are so helpful. I appreciate your advice, I would love to take a photography class - if only I had time. I will soon, I hope. I did not think to look up a class on-line. Great idea.

Stickies - hua? -- metering????

I am sure it will eventually sink in.


Sincerely,

Maryb

GJl771

Thank you for the link.

Appreciate it very much.

maryb

gjl711 wrote in post #2385565
That is correct. For a great primer on the use and benefits of RAW, read this.

I was going to suggest that link! but you beat me to it! lol!

Links that might help with learning the camera...
http://www.canon.co.jp​/Imaging/enjoydslr/ind​ex.html

http://www.photoworksh​op.com/canon/index.htm​l

Maryb wrote in post #2386368
Dear Canoflan,

Thank you so very much. I so appreciate your response to me. I feel better just knowing that there are so many of you who are so helpful. I appreciate your advice, I would love to take a photography class - if only I had time. I will soon, I hope. I did not think to look up a class on-line. Great idea.

Stickies - hua? -- metering????

I am sure it will eventually sink in.

Sincerely,

Maryb

stickies are important threads/posts that are "stickied" to the top of every forum, basically the top posts in every forum. They contain valuable info

MagicallyDelicious wrote in post #2386380
I was going to suggest that link! but you beat me to it! lol!

It's a great link and I have it booked marked. Your work continues to be appreciated. Next time I'll let you blow your own horn but ya gotta type faster

Hi Mary,

Welcome to the forum!

Depending which version of Elements you have, you may have to update the raw format file in Elements. I believe, if you have Elements 4 or later, you should be good to go. I know in Elements 3 I had to upgrade the file. It is a free download on the Adobe site.

Assuming you have windows

http://www.adobe.com …oduct=40&platfo​rm=Windows

Mac

http://www.adobe.com …uct=40&platform​=Macintosh

Pete-eos

Thank so much for the links. I am sure this will really help.

Photography 101:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=249006

Bill

Bill,

Thank you sooooooooooooooo much.

maryb