RAW editing software help

Kapture

Kapture

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4
Name
Kirsty
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,
I've recently moved over to RAW setting as I had done some research online and was advised by a friend this would be a better setting for picture quality.
I'm very confused over the difference between jpeg and RAW files.
Also when I try to upload them they convert into a very small size usually 500-700KB when on my camera it says 30mb? I have a Nikon d3300 just need some advice about it really. This is all very new to me
Oh I'm also putting my pictures onto an Apple Mac
Thank you
 
RAW is basically a digital Negative - which allows a host of options in PP

Do you have an editing suite that will allow editing RAW files? Also how are you uploading to your Mac


Les
 
Yes it is very confusing at first. A raw data file is just that, it carries all the data information recorded by the camera sensor, but it can only be viewed when converted into a viewable format like a jpeg. For that you need editing software like Lightroom.
As Les has asked, how are you importing the files to your computer? The video link quoted by @Boxbrownie is very helpful.
It may take a little time, but you'll soon get the hang of it!
 
I have GIMP on my Mac but I find it confusing so I'm using photoscape currently, which doesn't support RAW I'm currently looking at investing into an Apple MacBook so I didn't want to buy anything just yet as I will not have my Mac much longer ! But when I do I will get photoshop and light rooms !
I'm just putting the memory card into the side of my Mac at the moment I wasn't sure how else you could do it?

Thank you for the link
 
RAW is not better quality, its just a different set of information which allows more processing.

You have to get that quality, by your skill in post processing.

There is a chance the Jpeg engine in the camera may be better than your computer skills.
 
If you currently have a Mac and you are going to get a new MacBook, there is no need to delay getting photoshop & lightroom. You can install it on you current machine now and then on your new one when you get it. I have done that recently. The good thing with photoshop & lightroom is that you can now get them both for £8.57 per month with the Adobe Photography Plan. If you don't like using them you can end the plan and you won't have spent a fortune.

If you are getting a new MacBook, you should check whether it has a built in SD card reader like you current machine has. If it doesn't you will need to buy a USB card reader so that you cam move your files across, unless your camera can do that via WiFi or directly using USB.
 
Another option is to consider getting Lightroom 5 or Lightroom 6 from someone who has decided to get the CC subscription service.

According to Abode, your D3300 is supported on v5.4, so any version of LR5 can be updated to the final version (LR5.7) and it will be supported.
 
andyscott said:
RAW is not better quality, its just a different set of information which allows more processing.

You have to get that quality, by your skill in post processing.

There is a chance the Jpeg engine in the camera may be better than your computer skills.
Click to expand...

So as not to confuse the OP, which I'm sure is not Andrew's intention, I would like to make a few points.
Not sure what Andrew means by "quality", which for me means image quality. All the pp skills in the world won't improve the quality of a badly taken image, (out of focus, blown highlights, etc).
A raw file is not "different " information, it is all the information available from the sensor and metadata according to the manufacturer's design. Raw data becomes a screen image when the camera or Lightroom apply the basic camera jpeg settings to the raw data. When you shoot in raw and when you then examine the shot on the camera screen, you will only see the jpeg version of the raw file. A raw file isn't an image, it's information gathered by the sensor and put into the memory card.
Digital cameras can process the sensor data into a jpeg file using the basic settings for white balance, colour saturation, contrast, etc, that are entered into the camera before taking the shot, but when set for a raw file capture, the camera defers the processing to subsequent computer processing, with access to all the sensor data.
As Andrew points out, don't be put-off if in the beginning you may think your jpegs look better than your processed raw files. Raw files have many advantages over jpeg if you are determined to achieve better image quality.
Hope that helps.
 
i would look at a copy of photoshop elements it does raw and you can have a trial period too. the gimp you have to have a plug in like uf raw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top