Raw processing.

I have shot using JPEG for as long as i can remember, then editing it very basicaly

in P.S. elements. Usualy some dodging and burning, auto sharpen and adjusting

contrast. I am usualy quite happy with the results.

I want to start shooting RAW and processing the RAW image. I have had a go

and find the JPEG images to be better. It is becoming increasingly frustrating as

im desperate to improve. So i have a few questions that would help me.

Firstly I have been using a Nikon D200 and a program called raw therapee which

was a free download. Then i have edited further with P.S.Elements.

I have no idea where to start with the RAW editing, i do not understand how the

curves work and what you should apply to an image to improve. I just seem to end

up with dull lifeless images. They dont appear as glossy looking as a JPEG.

I think i expose the image well enough at the scene and choose the correct white

balance setting.

Is it the software, should i be splashng money on adobe lightroom and photoshop

CS3, is this where im going wrong. Is the camera's perameters set wrong. To me

it seems i have a long way to go to understand the editing side. Has anybody

been in the situation i find myself in. I am almost ready to throw the towel in.

Please help me before i throw my camera against a wall.

I've been slow to get on the post-processing bandwagon, but eventually started shooting RAW only and using Capture NX to convert them to JPEG.

 

Although I'm no Capture NX expert, I like the fact that basic changes can be made using the same "language" as the in-camera settings. There are also tons of tools within NX that I have no idea about.

 

You could download a trial version and see what you think.

Martyn,

 

First off, to get the most from RAW, you'll need a good RAW processor. Nikon's Capture NX, Adobe Camera Raw (abbreviated ACR - and comes with Photoshop and or Bridge), and then Adobe Lightroom are common processors. All of these can be downloaded for trial use.

 

Most Nikon shooters love NX for RAW to JPEG since Nikon seems to understand Nikon RAW better than Adobe products. I personally don't see much difference and use all three. Lightroom is probably the easiest and most intuitive to use and great for batch processing large numbers of files. ACR is a bit more limited and good for basic adjustments like curves, WB, sharpness, contrast etc. Also does decent batch.

 

I'd suggest downloading LR and NX and playing with them. Remember that RAW files come out of the camera with much less processing than JPEG so they're not quite ready for prime time without some tweaking. Usually I adjust for WB, sharpness, and up the contrast with curves. The key is you can do much more with a RAW file since the changes are not baked in like they are with a JPEG file.

 

For more info on how to use curves and stuff - check out any of the hundreds of forums and LR/PS sites. Many have downloadable .pdfs you can read etc.

 

Good luck - once you go RAW and get the hang of it, you'll never shoot JPEG again.

 

M

Downloading the trial versions is good advice. You'll certainly get different results with different raw converters, at least with the default settings:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00PVPC

 

The NX output will generally be closest to your in-camera jpegs. Note that the free View NX you can download from Nikon also has a basic raw converter (not much control, but similar default results to Capture NX).

 

You may also find this tool useful to make quick 'Nikon colour' jpegs from your NEFs:

 

http://drchung.new21.net/previewextractor/

Martyn,

 

Michael gives good advice and I agree with what he says. I think the most important

thing to remember is that RAW or NEF images are only what the camera sees

without all the in camera adjustments you set. Unless you use NX, which I

understand keeps many of those settings (I've never used it, only ACR), all the other

basic adjustments such as wb, exposure, vibrance color balance and many other

things can be adjusted with the software, sort of like darkroom processing.

 

After converting to tiff you can then make other adjustments in ps, or whatever your

preferred editing program is. More steps, yes. More control, absolutely.

I have just downloaded a free trial of lightroom, going to have a mess now, many thanks

I suggest you start with Nikon Capture NX. It is the only raw processor that reads the settings you set that are captured by your camera. If you use another raw processor, you start with a blank slate and have to add back the things already in the image not read by the non Nikon raw processor. If you are used to trying to capure the image as accurately as possible when you trip the shutter, why go backwards? Download it and give it a try. Control Points are wonderful.

 

There are some very useful tutorials on Capture NX available for free from www.nikonusa.com. There is also an e book you can get from Jason Odell or a paper back book by Ben Love on Capture NX. If you buy Capture NX from a thrid party it comes with a good manual.

 

http://www.luminescentphoto.com/capturenx.html

 

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14234&p_created=1175285705&p_sid=Ilmvq24j&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0xNiwxNiZwX3Byb2RzPTQyLDI5OCZwX2NhdHM9MTg1JnBfcHY9Mi4yOTgmcF9jdj0xLjE4NSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

I have Photoshop 7 that I rarely use. Capture NX gets the job done 99% of the time. CS3 is too overwhelming for me. Others use Lightroom. The key, however is to learn how to use one or two of these really well.

 

Joe Smith

Thankyou for all the advise, i will give the capture NX a go next.

get this book and work through the accompanying on line tutorials:

 

http://www.creativedigitaldarkroom.com

When you shoot jpeg you have in camera adjustments such as contrast, saturation and such. When you shoot RAW those adjustments are not applied to the RAW so you put them in post processing. So your images initially will not necessarily look as good at first. The RAW file has more potential but it takes a little more photoshop to bring it out. Keep playing with it and you will be happy..If your PS Elements is 3 or 4 you can install the free download from adobe. You could try that program out and see if you like it since it's free to you. This is the web sight for the Nikon D200, windows computer and elements 3 or 4 or CS2.

 

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3271

A second vote for what Ellis said. I bought this book (based on a recommendation from him) and it is really good. And I am learning a lot working through the on-line tutorials.

I have just ordered it from Amazon, �20 look forward to reading it, thankyou

Since you are used to PS Elements, why don't you use it to open and convert your RAW files? In case, your version is very old, you could update to PS6 and get a RAW converter with it. There is also a trial version available.

 

In general the converter will pop up, once you open a RAW image. You can make several adjustments there. Have a look into the book you ordered, if you need help.

 

I shoot RAW too. However, many get along with the in camera conversion to JPEG. If carefully set, the results must not necessarily be inferior.

 

Good luck, and keep the fun in the photography!

Hi Martin,

 

the trick (even with a book that teaches you EVERYTHING about it), is You have to be able to see what changes to the settings do. Know about it is different from seeing it.

 

So....fiddle away. and some converters are better than others. I like using DXO and ACR, they each give something that the other dont. DXO does a great job with minimum effort.

Thanks again for the advice.