I shoot in Jpeg, but want to try RAW

K

kabooi

Suspended / Banned
Messages
284
Edit My Images
Yes
I have always shot in Jpeg, but want to start shooting in raw to edit my pictures afterwards. I will google more on the differences but my question is...

What do I need to shoot in RAW? I have a D7000, and my editing software is photoshop elements 10. Ideally I would love photoshop CS5 and thats my dream but at those prices it will NEVER happen as I cant justify it :(

So, what do I do - just upload them and then edit them in elements 10?

Sorry if this is a really noob question :p
 
Doing the Google it appears that Elements 10 should support your files.

Set the camera to shoot RAW off load from card to machine then open in Elements and play with the images to your hearts content. :)

Check in your cameras manual about how to select RAW formatting in camera.
 
Last edited:
kabooi said:
So, what do I do - just upload them and then edit them in elements 10?

Sorry if this is a really noob question :p
Click to expand...

Pretty much - yup, and don't worry about it being a 'noob question', that's what this forum is for!

The best thing that you can do is to go out and shoot a few frames in RAW+Jpeg, then load the RAWs into Elements (Adobe Camera Raw will kick in, which is the processing engine). Play about with the sliders until you get a result that you're happy with, export and then compare it with the Jpeg.

RAW processing isn't intuitive at first and you have to work at it. There are loads of vid tutorials on Utube, but also on Adobe TV. Watch some, preferably before you start processing. It's quite common to get frustrated when you first start and it takes some learning and perseverance to start getting decent results, but the effort is worth it in the long run!
 
If PSE 10 will not open your RAW (.NEF) files then it probably needs updating.
Open the program, click on Help then updates from the drop down menu.
 
I had the same problem when I decided to start shooting raw. Like DemiLion already said, start shooting in Raw+jpeg. You should do some research first about raw. Raw has allot of advantages on jpeg. But a few examples, when you take a photo with your camera, the photo will look different than when you upload it on your pc. This is because the viewfinder already processes your images, and adds for example sharpness and contrasts. A jpeg file always has some pre settings on it by the time you upload it. Keeping this in mind, a raw file is never sharpened. You should always add sharpness on your images. This is only a few examples. It is good to do research so you know what to expect and what edits to perform on your images. Because the edits you perform on a jpeg, will not be the same as a raw file.

You should try this. http://www.ononesoftware.com/downloads/
Try out a few free effects to help you get started.
 
This is because the viewfinder already processes your images, and adds for example sharpness and contrasts.
Click to expand...

Interesting concept and probably true if you have an EVF but my viewfinder - optical - certainly doesn't do anything like that and neither does the OPs D7000.
 
I still consider myself a beginner with lots to learn, but would say it's definitely worth putting the effort in to learn about RAW. I have a Canon and use the program that came with my camera. Is there one that came with your camera or perhaps that you could download for free?

When I first tried it, I shot in both jpeg and RAW. I couldn't really see the point at first in RAW, but now I only shoot in RAW and love the extra control it gives over the final picture.

There are certain decisions you take at the time of shooting which you can change later e.g. white balance, picture style (on a Canon - not sure if Nikon do something similar?).... what you are tweaking is how the camera has processed the information you have captured. What you can't change is the ISO and exposure, so you still have to try and get that right.

I'm not certain but I think Lightroom allows you to process RAW files and I've heard it's a great program for editing.. and it's cheaper that Photoshop - maybe worth looking into?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top