Exercise: Raw.

A digital raw file is a collection of camera specific files which record all of the information that the cameras meters can detect. Raw files save the original data that is captured and allows slightly higher dynamic range to be recorded (this depends on the cameras sensor). When these files are read back on a computer they can then be developed; for example colour temperature, hue or contrast can be decided upon later, rather than when the image is shot. If you are shooting in JPEG the camera has to do all of the processing at the time of shooting.

 

Advantages of raw.

• Detail is kept until post production.
• If you change your mind at a later date you can use the raw file to make a new JPEG, for example.

 

Disadvantages of raw.

• Every manufacturer defines it differently and this is kept secret.
• In the future the digital files that we store today may be unable to be read.

 

For this exercise we are first to set the combination of raw plus the highest quality JPEG. In my case this means selecting Raw + JPEG Fine. This is so that each shot is saved twice.

Plan and shoot three images in three different lighting conditions to include daylight, artificial lighting and high dynamic range.

I have been shooting in raw for quite a while now so  must be careful to get all of the settings spot on as they will determine how the JPEG looks.

On the computer I opened each pair of images. I chose to use Photoshop Elements 9 which means that the JPEG files open straight away into the main window but the raw files open in a raw converter window first so that any adjustments can be made.

High Dynamic Range.

JPEG

 

 Raw

The JPEG image has lost the vibrant blue of the sky to a certain extent when it was saved to the cameras memory card. With the Raw image I have converted the WB to daylightwhich restored some of the colour. There was a slight amount of highlight clipping in the clouds which i have removed by altering the exposure. There was also a very small area of shadow clipping in the branches which again I have tried to remove. I have also turned up the vibrancy a touch to bring out the blue of the sky to appear as it did on the day of shooting.


Daylight.

JPEG

 

Raw

I really made more of a conscious effort to get this image right with the Jpeg. I was more successful in the sense that I had no highlight or shadow clipping at the time of shooting. I have however changed the WB to daylight as I forgot to to this at the time. This has lifted the colour slightly and I have also turned up the vibrancy a little. The raw image is more accurate of the lighting conditions on the day.


Artificial Lighting.

JPEG

Raw.

Again I had shot in WB auto her so changed to fluroscent post-processing which warmed up the image considerably. I have also increased the exposure to +0.70 as the Jpeg looks a little dark and dull.


Conclusion.

When I first read this exercise I wasn't sure how much I would get out of it. I have been shooting in Raw since I began The Art of Photography course and started processing my images in photoshop. I have always muddled through and gone by eye and what I thought looked best without really understanding what I was doing. I have found this exercise great for comparison between the Jpeg and Raw images and will continue to shoot in Raw. I think I have grasped a better understanding of post- processing and how and why we make various decisions when it comes to how the final image looks. The raw images,I feel, look more realistic to how the scene appears at the time of shooting where as the Jpegs tend to lose some of their detail.


Info taken from:
Michael Freeman-Mastering Digital Photography-Ilex 2008
Michael Freeman-The Photographer's Eye-Ilex 2007
Harold Davis-Creative Lighting Digital Photography Tips and Techniques-Wiley 2011
Fil Huter, Steven Biver and Paul Fuqua- Light, Science and Magic. An Introductin to Photographic Lighitng-Focal Press- 2007