​What should be paid attention to in using RAW format

Many readers have tried shooting in RAW format. The JPEG format is the default for most of our cameras, canvas prints and while it's convenient, it means that we unknowingly lose a lot of the image detail that can be captured in RAW. Unfortunately, many readers have to deal with larger issues when they choose RAW. RAW files are very large and not all post processing software can be opened directly. Camera manufacturers are not willing to choose the same format to save the original image information of the camera, which is really a nerve-racking matter and brings us a lot of inconvenience. But once we get over that, get used to shooting and handling RAW, it's not as painful as it first seems, and your photography takes you to a whole new level. We will explain why and why it is necessary to shoot RAW from the beginning and answer any questions related to RAW.

As a photographer, cheap canvas prints online the RAW format was Charles' only choice when shooting.

1. RAW format features

Before you start shooting, figure out what RAW is. What is RAW?

RAW. To understand the RAW format, you first need a general understanding of the actual imaging process in a digital camera. When we press the shutter, light passes through the lens to the camera's sensor, which converts it into an electronic signal that forms the image data. In short, large canvas these electronic signals are the RAW material that makes up a RAW file.

The 16 - bit image contains more image tone information and the image quality is better

The key to distinguishing between RAW and JPEG is the processing of these electronic signals after they have been collected. A RAW file consists of RAW electronic signals and basic information recorded by the sensor and is stored directly on the memory card without any compression or processing. Before the JPEG file is saved to the memory card, the original electronic signal recorded by the sensor has been processed by the processor inside the camera according to the Settings of white balance, picture style and so on that we choose. The result is converted to JPEG format and written to the memory card. In other words, no matter which format we use to shoot the camera, we need to collect the original image data, and we decide whether to give the RAW data to the camera for processing and provide it to us in JPEG format or save it in RAW format for our own processing.

Are all RAW files the same?

No, that's the problem with most of the confusion around RAW. Unlike the JPEG format, RAW does not have a uniform standard. They go their own way, using different RAW formats and even using different standards from one camera to another. For example, although Canon DSLRS now use the.cr2 RAW file suffix, there are some small differences between EOS 1100D and EOS 7D RAW files.

The RAW file format for the same camera doesn't change, so if you find a handy converter, it won't affect your work. But if we need to deal with files from multiple cameras of different models or switch to a new camera without updating the corresponding software version, we can understand the inconvenience caused by this difference. You will not be able to convert the photo format.

The only exception to this confusion is the DNG format, an open file format developed by Adobe and available to any digital camera manufacturer. But of all the major makers of digital SLRS, only pentax offers the format in its own cameras. But even if we choose a different camera, the DNG format is still convenient. After converting the Camera's own RAW format to DNG using a conversion tool provided by Adobe, we can open the RAW files from the new digital Camera using Adobe Camera RAW, which is available in older versions of Photoshop.

Why can I only preview RAW files stored on my computer through dedicated software?

The RAW file is a packet file, not an image file. Unlike standard formats like JPEG, RAW files do not contain the information the computer needs to decode them. I think the following analogy may help you understand this problem: JPEG format is just like clear paragraph segmentation, well-punctuated articles; The RAW format contains the same article, but all of the text is broken down into basic strokes and mixed together in random order. So we have no way to browse at all.

Is RAW a non-compressed format?

Some of it is. In order to reduce the size of the image file, a variety of complex compression algorithms have been designed. One very important difference between these algorithms is lossy versus lossless.

As the name implies, lossy compression means that part of the image data will be discarded during the compression process. But by discarding this information, you get a much smaller file than lossless compression. Some RAW formats, such as nikon's nef format, can be saved in this way, resulting in smaller files that take up less space. But this can cause a drop in image quality, especially in the sky and other parts of the image where tone transitions are smoother.

Lossy compression algorithms are used for all JPEG files. JPEG files provide a quality setting for us to choose when saving. The lower the quality of the image we choose, the more image data we discard, and the smaller the image file we get. Conversely, higher quality JPEG files have larger file sizes than lower quality JPEG files. If we save the resulting image file only once, the degradation of image quality caused by the saving process is almost imperceptible. But as you save more, you lose more and more image data, so the overall picture quality declines more and more. Lossless compression formats contain all the data in the original file, but the resulting file size also takes up more storage space. Most RAW formats are compressed in this way to ensure that the image information is not lost in the process of repeated saving, so the picture quality is higher.

These two compression modes are set by the manufacturer, and we can't choose between them in the camera, but in any case, RAW files contain much more information than JPEG files.

RAW files 8 bits, 12 bits, 14 bits, 16 bits and so on what is the difference?

Each image we took consisted of a range of tones from black to white, with bits representing the range of tones between black and white. Bit bigger, the shadow tone between black and white is richer. All JPEG files are 8-bit image files, so there are only 256 level changes between black and white. RAW files are mostly 12 - or 14-bit files that contain at least 4096 tone changes between black and white. It is generally accepted that a soft, natural image needs at least about 250 levels of tone, so an 8-bit image file containing 256 levels of tone variation is sufficient for most situations.

But the problem arises when we use levels or curve commands in Photoshop to adjust the image. Such commands compress or expand the photo's tonal range, resulting in a break in the middle of the image histogram, as shown on the previous page. At this point in the screen will appear color belt, color block and other defects. This is especially true in areas with smooth transitions such as the sky. RAW from the start gives us a much richer image, even with more extreme handling, without the same issues. This is especially true when fixing poorly exposed photos, where fine textures can be preserved even with a large exposure adjustment.

Photoshop cannot directly edit 12-bit or 14-bit files, and most RAW editing or conversion software offers 8-bit and 16-bit options for exporting RAW to other common image formats.

RAW format conversion

It's a short process, but it's a great convenience. What software should I use to open and edit my RAW files?

There are tons of RAW conversion apps to choose from, and the best one depends on the number of shots you shoot, the content of your work, and the amount of post-production. Most digital cameras provide users with RAW conversion software for the camera, which can be used as a starting point for learning RAW processing. However, most of such software has the disadvantages of low efficiency, outdated technology and limited functions.

If you need to make more professional adjustments to RAW files such as highlight and shadow reduction, you should choose professional processing software such as Adobe Camera RAW (ACR). ACR is an integrated transformation software in the CS series of Photoshop. It provides a wide range of adjustment options and can even replace Photoshop if used properly.

The latest ACR 6.x provides a smudge removal tool similar to the repair brush tool in Photoshop. The black and white photo conversion function in HSL/ grayscale is more powerful than that in Photoshop. While other older versions of the ACR aren't as powerful as the new version, it's still a RAW converter for most photography enthusiasts with its functionality and ease of use.

If you regularly need to work with large volumes of RAW image files, consider professional RAW processing programs like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture or Capture One Express/Pro 6. The software offers more flexibility and ease of use in addition to the power and richness of native software from Adobe Camera Raw and Camera makers. If you're used to the look and feel of Photoshop, Lightroom is easily the easiest of the three. It's basically Adobe Camera Raw with improved workflow.

Adobe DNG Converter is very useful software that enables older ACR users to open RAW files from their new digital cameras. I can't open the RAW file in Photoshop. What should I do? This is a common problem, and camera makers often improve their RAW algorithms as they build new models, resulting in incompatibilities with the software. At this point we can use random software to open these files, but it also means that we have to master a new way of using the software, but considering that most of the previously mentioned random software functions cannot be compared with Adobe Camera Raw, this is really reluctant.

Upgrading Adobe Camera Raw is also an optional solution, but there are limitations. The latest version of ACR that supports the new camera is only compatible with the latest version of Photoshop from the same period. In other words, if you want to upgrade your Adobe Camera Raw version to the latest version 6.6 as of this writing, you must have Photoshop CS5.

Considering that not everyone can afford to keep up with Adobe's upgrade3, there is still the option of downloading the latest version of DNG Converter software to convert RAW files to the open RAW format.

3. Use RAW format

With that in mind, let's see what RAW can do for us. In addition to the advantages, what are the pros and cons of shooting in RAW? There are many reasons to take photos in RAW, but using JPEG isn't completely bad compared to RAW.

RAW has a higher quality and provides a richer post-production space. Most of the camera's image Settings, such as white balance, sharpness, saturation, etc., is not applied directly to RAW files, and these parameters can be fine-tuned on a computer. Compared to JPEG files, RAW files contain more image information and richer tone. In other words, the image transitions in RAW files are smoother and less prone to color cracks or pixilation even with large adjustments. This is especially important for images with similar tone or color. That advantage isn't without cost: RAW files are typically three to five times the size of high-res JPEG files, so you can save fewer files on the same size memory card.

Unlike JPEG files, RAW files are very cumbersome to view and output, and must be converted using proprietary software. In other words, before we can share or export a photo, we first need to convert it to a common file format. That leaves us with one of the RAW's most annoying problems: we need to spend more time tweaking our work, and the endless options available in software like Adobe Camera RAW add to the tedious process.

What are the biggest advantages of RAW files over JEPG files?

The extra highlight and shadow information contained in the RAW file is perfect for recreating all the details in high-contrast scenes like sunsets.

One of the great advantages of RAW is that it saves much more detail in highlights and shadows, and provides much better white balance control. The RAW format contains more additional information than a JPEG file, so it's much easier to capture contrasting scenes.

Although photos taken in JPEG format can also be post-processed to restore dark details, they can cause significant noise. Using RAW files allows you to restore the dark details while still maintaining a relatively high quality. Similarly, using the highlight/shadow tool provided in Photoshop, we can also restore limited details from the highlight of a JPEG file, and more details if we shoot in RAW format. In short, the more RAW information that can be contained in a file, the richer the RAW conversion software can be.

Using the RAW format, we can also change the white balance Settings for any photo after shooting. While color balance can also be used for JPEG images to control the color of a photo, it's a fairly trivial process compared to RAW's adjustment in Adobe Camera RAW, hanging aluminium prints and it can also destroy the original image information.

All professional photographers shoot in RAW format, right?

While most professional photographers do shoot in the RAW format, there are a few exceptions. Some photographers consider the speed and convenience of the JPEG format to be more important than the quality of the RAW format. For sports photographers and certain news photography