what person would still work with a canon digital rebel?

I am glad to read that some of you aren't judging those of us who DO still work with a canon digital rebel. I can't afford a new camera, and I am still learning... but I do get good images for the most part. I wouldn't do a wedding though.
Can anyone explain to me, what exactly is RAW??? And, you'll have to tell me in plain terms, I don't understand all the photog jargon yet.

MomTo2 wrote in post #8271641
Can anyone explain to me, what exactly is RAW??? And, you'll have to tell me in plain terms, I don't understand all the photog jargon yet.

First off, your camera ONLY shoots RAW. When you select JPG, the camera takes the RAW data and pipes it into it's on-board JPG processor to generate the JPG "image" to save to the card.

When you shoot RAW, the RAW "data" goes directly to the card and is not an image.

To generate an image, you use a RAW processor (software on your PC) which turns the data into a viewable image, much like the camera's JPG processor. The difference is that YOU have complete control over the image generation process. You can change the white balance, adjust the contrast/brightness/bl​ack point/etc....

So you can leave these decisions up to the camera's little processor (and hope it makes the right decisions since they are irreversible), or save the decisions for later where YOU have complete control over it.

PS,
What kind of equipment would you have liked her to have shown up with?

oh, thx, what kind of software do you use to change the image? Photoshop?

MomTo2 wrote in post #8271654
oh, thx, what kind of software do you use to change the image? Photoshop?

Photoshop has a "plug-in" called ACR (Adobe Camera Raw). Other folks use Lightroom (which also uses ACR) or DPP (Canon's Digital Photo Professional). DPP does nice conversions but isn't very "workflow friendly", especially when dealing with 100s (even 1000s) of photos at a time. ACR along with Bridge (the "browser" that Photoshop uses) is better suited for this task.

whats a plug in? I have adobe photoshop elements 6.0... is it on there?
I don't know what all photoshop can do- or what all my camera can do for that matter.

MomTo2 wrote in post #8271823
whats a plug in? I have adobe photoshop elements 6.0... is it on there?
I don't know what all photoshop can do- or what all my camera can do for that matter.

Elements 6 does indeed have it. You will be able to process your raw files with your software. For a start see here: http://help.adobe.com …8c-8FDB-7F20096EE811.html

For examples of what Rebels can do see here: https://photography-on-the.net …php?t=496404&hi​ghlight=xt

My old Rebel XT has served me well, with 30 to 35k shutter actuations (I've lost count actually) and will become my backup when the 50D arrives.

I've taken some great pictures with that camera!

MomTo2 wrote in post #8271645
PS,
What kind of equipment would you have liked her to have shown up with?

An external flash with a bracket to get it off camera and a decent low light lens for starters--and backup equipment for a paying gig IMO.

YONNI, WOW! those are beautiful pics in that thread you linked. Gives me hope. I only have a kit lens, can anyone explain what other lenses are about? I know you can zoom more or less with other lenses but what else?
Thanks for the link for using the RAW option & photoshop too. I'm excited to try it out. Not sure what I'm doing, but plan to take a RAW pic and play with it in photoshop.

Dave, what is a low light lens?
and PS. I love your quote about middle age. I have a pic of my hubby in front of a drop that says "the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys"

I had an XTi for two years before I upgraded to a 50D. Its completely capable of producing some stunnng images, you just have to work within it's limits.

MomTo2 - my wife is just beginning her serious understanding of photography, and she recently picked up a copy of "Perfect Digital Photography" by Dickman and Kinghorn. I've thumbed through it, and it's excellent - and answers many basic questions in a simple and thorough fashion:

Amazon Link

Good Luck

MomTo2 wrote in post #8273658
YONNI, WOW! those are beautiful pics in that thread you linked. Gives me hope. I only have a kit lens, can anyone explain what other lenses are about? I know you can zoom more or less with other lenses but what else?
Thanks for the link for using the RAW option & photoshop too. I'm excited to try it out. Not sure what I'm doing, but plan to take a RAW pic and play with it in photoshop.

Some more homework for you here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=249006

and here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=155904

and here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088

and here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=53846

I did all my homework! Those were good reads...
The one about lenses was kind of confusing, but in general they were a great refresher for me!
I need to find one about RAW shooting. I was wondering though, isn't it better to get a good image to start with than to have to spend time fixing and converting it in photoshop? I hate using photoshop (maybe 'cause I don't really know what I'm doing in it other than basic editing) it takes so much time! I'd rather just load up my pics and leave as is than to spend time editing. SO, why shoot in RAW? Maybe when I can see what it does, I'll understand. Does anyone have any example pics of RAW before and RAW after they got it all fixed up?