GUIDE TO SHOOTING RAW PART I

  SHOOTING RAW

What is raw and why should you use it? In this, the first in a new series, Mat Gallagher explains the benefits of moving away from JPEGs and reveals the best raw-conversion software available

     RAW IS still a scary word to many photographers Moving away from the simplicity of JPEGs and into the unknown and seemingly complex world of raw files may not seem worth the effort Vet those who have made the decision to shoot in raw format barely look back, and with extensive support for raw files now available in most image-editing software, converting raw images is no more difficult than shooting JPEGs and it offers a wealth of benefits.

      The most convincing reason to start shooting raw has to be the potential for higher quality images A raw file includes all the data collected by your camera's imaging sensor, while a JPEG is a compressed and processed version As is clear from the resolution charts in AP's camera tests, the raw files consistently resolve more detail than JPEGs, which means crisper and more detailed shots. 
     A further advantage of working with this non-compressed file type is that it provides more information for you to work with when it comes to the editing or to adjusting a file. Changes made to exposure can be much greater, allowing you to rescue detail from shadow and highlight areas that would otherwise be missing, and so impossible to recover, in a JPEG.
     The compressed JPEG file will have image sharpening and noise reduction applied to it as part of its processing, but a raw file will not have these applied when the file is first opened, and while most raw-conversion software will apply default settings for  you, these can be adjusted to your needs. Applying these settings yourself allows greater control over your images, so you can increase the sharpness and reduce any image noise to your own personal preferences.
     Any adjustments that are made in raw- conversion software do not change the actual raw file itself, but are instead held in a secondary file (XMP) and are only properly applied when the raw file is processed into a JPEG or TIFF, This means that all adjustments can be undone to return the file to its original form without any detrimental effect on the image. This is known as non-destructive editing.

WHAT IS RAW?

     A raw file is often referred to as a digital negative, as it is the closest thing a digital camera has to a film negative that retains the entire original image captured by the camera Encased within the raw file is not only the data from the sensor but also the metadata, including identification of the camera and sensor, which is needed to interpret the readings, and all the shooting settings The file can sometimes include a low-resolution JPEG preview for quick viewing, although this is becoming less common.

TYPES OF RAW FILE

     The raw format is unique not only to the manufacturer of your camera, but also often to the individual model, as each is coded slightly differently requiring the file to be read in a specific way - even between files that share the same extension. Because of this, the introduction of a new camera requires new software, or at least an update to existing software so it can recognized the raw file Adobe has made an attempt to standardise raw formats in a similar way to JPEGs by introducing the DNG extension. Currently, though, only a few companies have adopted this format (Pentax, Ricoh and Hasselblad) with most choosing to continue with their own unique versions.  

The differences between the raw and JPEG files taken with identical settings

     
     Depending on the sensor, the camera will output either a 12- or 14-tut raw file, which determines the levels of brightness that can be recorded. JPEG images are outputted as 8-bit files and, although you may finally end up converting your file down to 8-bit, editing it in its 12- or 14-bit state gives more flexibility and more tones to play with Some cameras offer the choice of 12- or 14-bit capture and some even offer a compressed raw format, to save space on the card or decrease write times The latest Canon models now feature S-Raw and M-Raw settings to provide full 14-brt raw files, but at smaller pixel counts, for those who want the control but not the size.
     While It is possible to see a difference between 12-bit raw files and the higher quality 14-bit versions, it is small compared to those differences between 12-bit files and JPEGs, and for most users 12-bit is more than satisfactory.

RAW-CONVERSION SOFTWARE

     When you use a new camera you may find that your old conversion software won’t open its raw files, even if it has supported previous raw formats If your camera shoots in raw, the chances are it will come with software to convert its raw files back into JPEG or TIFF formats for use in other programs, or for printing. Some models even allow you to convert the raw file in¬camera, but this is not ideal for fine-tuning the resulting images. The advantage of manufacturers’ own packaged software is that it will have been designed specifically for use with your camera It may also include specific controls for functions such as picture styles and colour modes that can be applied during processing, as on the camera
     One of the best examples we have found of free packaged raw software is Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) This software is both easy to use and offers a lot of control over your images. Silkypix is an independent raw converter that comes packaged and customised with some cameras, such as Pentax and Fujifilm, while Nikon opts to sell its more advanced raw-conversion software (Capture NX2) separately to its cameras Although raw files do offer improved quality, the resulting image can vary depending on which editing software you have used, with some more advanced converters allowing you to achieve even more impressive results 

ADVANTAGES OF SHOOTING RAW
1  'LOSSLESS' FILE TYPE
2   FULL DATA OUTPUT FROM SENSOR (MORE DETAIL)
3   NON-DESTRUCTIVE EDITING
4   GREATER WHITE BALANCE CONTROL
5   GREATER SHARPENING CONTROL

     When it comes to third-party software there is a vast array of choice, with most standard editing packages now including raw support within their software Popular programs such as Corel PaintShop Photo Pro, Adobe Elements, Adobe Photoshop and Picasa all support raw files, although updates will be needed in some cases to support newer raw formats. When software updates become available for these new formats, they may be suitable only for the latest editions of the software Therefore, people using older versions of these programs may not be able to update them to support the new raw formats. 

If your camera shoots in raw, the chances are it will come with software to convert its raw files back into JPEG or TIFF formats

     However, when this happens it is not necessary to buy a whole new editing suite as there are many standalone raw converters available that will work, some of which will offer even more advanced functionality and workfiow Others, such as Adobes free DNG converter (downloadable from www dot adobe dot com/dng), converts all the latest raw formats into the universal DNG (Digital Negative) format, and 6 readable by most editing software.