RAW refers to any of several native data formats that contain the full data captured by the sensor. Typically these are proprietary formats, and each company uses its own.
166
votes
11answers
22k views
Good examples of RAW's advantages over JPEG?
I'm curious to see some real examples of where simply capturing the same photo in RAW (and being processed by someone who can do it justice) has significantly improved the photo at the end of the ...
38
votes
11answers
13k views
What tools are available for RAW image processing in Linux?
I have been taking photographs with RAW format.
What tools are available for working with RAW under Linux?
28
votes
13answers
2k views
What are the pros and cons when shooting in RAW vs JPEG?
In general shooting in RAW format uses a lot more file storage than JPEG. What am I gaining when shooting RAW? Besides file size are there any downsides to shooting RAW?
20
votes
8answers
36k views
What is the best free RAW editor/converter on Windows?
I'm looking for a free RAW editor/converter on Windows. Can you tell me some strong/weak points of them comparing with Capture NX and/or Adobe Photoshop Elements?
RawTherapee
PhotoFiltre
Able RAWer
...
24
votes
9answers
4k views
How can I get a good HDR image from a single RAW file?
I've heard that it's possible to create an HDR image from a single RAW file. (Obviously, it won't be as good as using multiple bracketed RAW files; I know that much.)
Every time I try — using ...
53
votes
5answers
1k views
What is RAW, technically?
From a technical perspective, what exactly is RAW and how does it differ from JPG or bitmap images? I'm not asking about the pros/cons versus another format, but rather what constitutes RAW format, ...
16
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I get started with RAW photography?
Having read about the benefits of shooting in RAW as opposed to JPEG (for example this question), I'd like to have a go with it myself. However, I'm not really sure how to go about it.
I can turn RAW ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
When shooting in mRAW or sRAW, how does the camera generate smaller files?
Most mid- and high-end DLSRs offer two or three sizes for RAW capture. When the camera is generating the medium or small sized RAW files, how does it make them smaller? Does it capture less ...
21
votes
7answers
1k views
Why can I adjust the white balance of a RAW file but not a JPEG file?
I recently started setting my DSLR to save RAW files, and using Adobe Lightroom to process them. I still, however, use my little point and shoot camera a lot which does not have an option to save RAW ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Why do my photos look different in Photoshop/Lightroom vs Canon EOS utility/in camera?
I've recently been shooting in raw with my new 100mm usm is macro but I'm getting strange results in out of focus areas with bright colours in. I've used Lightroom for ages and not had any issues with ...
31
votes
7answers
740 views
Is switching to DNG worthwhile?
I'm aware of the difference between RAW and DNG file formats. The RAW format is proprietary to the camera manufacturer while DNG is an open standard. DNG files can be compressed without loss of ...
7
votes
1answer
597 views
What camera settings may affect a RAW photo?
I know this is too general question, but I'll give it a try..
About an hour research in photo.SE, I found some question, that are related to this one:
Does the camera white balance setting affect ...
15
votes
1answer
478 views
Will I lose image quality by adjusting white balance in post processing?
I understand that if I shoot in RAW, post processing software like Lightroom is capable of adjusting colour temperature and tint to my desire.
Will I lose any image quality in process? Or is it as ...
23
votes
6answers
1k views
Which is a better way to store your photos? RAW or TIFF?
I have read posts that alot of photographers are using RAW to store photos. But the problem I am having is that how do you people view the photos easily when you need them? In the beginning I have ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
Why store both JPEG and raw?
DSLRs often have the ability to store both a JPEG and a raw file.
Given that the primary benefit of in-camera JPEG over raw is the smaller filesize, and that JPEG+raw is going to store even more data ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
Do different “Picture styles” affect RAW output?
I was reading again the manual of my camera (Canon 50D, but I am sure that each DSLR offer the same kind of functionality, albeit I don't know the exact names adopted) and noticed the issue of Picture ...
6
votes
1answer
566 views
How can I reproduce the camera-internal postprocessing?
I just started playing around with raw images. When opening the raw image in Raw Therapee, it looks completely different than the JPEG produced by the camera:
(left is raw, right is JPEG)
I ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
Recommended start point for sharpening RAW Images
I'm just beginning to get back into serious photography after a very long time away. I've toyed with digital, but this is my first foray into trying to do controlled creative work in the digital ...
20
votes
12answers
1k views
How do I make sure my RAW files are readable in the future?
I've recently started to use RAW with Lightroom. I'd like opinions on how I should make sure my images are readable (not necessarily editable) a few years hence. Heck, let's say a decade some decades.
...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Does the selection of sRGB or Adobe RGB in camera when shooting RAW ever matter?
In talking to a colleague of mine yesterday, we got onto the subject of color spaces in digital photography. He's a Nikon buff, I use Canon (specifically, an EOS 50D); I don't know if that is relevant ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
Please suggest a workflow on Mac using only free/open source software
I own a D90 with a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. However ever since buying my camera I am struggling to find a proper workflow to process RAW images on my Mac which does at least the following
Adjust ...
19
votes
3answers
1k views
Do I lose anything converting to DNG?
I'd like to convert all my ARW (Sony) files to DNG for several reasons, but the only thing keeping me back from doing it is the fear of losing useful metadata during the conversion. I know that the ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
How to delete JPG files, but only if the matching RAW file exists?
My early (Canon G2) photos are all JPG, but when I got my Nikon D90 I initially shot in JPG, then switched to RAW+JPG, and now I would like to switch to RAW only.
I have literally thousands of photos ...
14
votes
3answers
3k views
Why does my Lightroom preview change after loading?
Everybody who is using Lightroom probably has seen this:
You have imported RAW files. Lightroom shows a preview, but contrast and color of the preview change after a few short seconds to a slightly ...
14
votes
6answers
581 views
What are the advantages of shooting in a proprietary RAW format over DNG?
Personally, I shoot in DNG and avoid the proprietary RAW format for my camera (PEF on a Pentax K200D). I like DNG because it's open and supports embedded metadata, both of which is not true with ...
11
votes
6answers
658 views
How can different RAW converter programs give different results?
I've read in several places (photo mags, websites, etc.) that there are third party RAW converters around (i.e. not big name programs like PhotoShop, Lightroom, Picasa, PaintShopPro,...).
So my ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
Is 14-bit RAW better than 12-bit RAW?
A regular JPEG image has only 8 bits to store information about the tone of each pixel. When storing the image in RAW format (for example, DNG), we can store tone using more bits per pixel, which ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
Which Lightroom import presets should I use to get output like that from Capture NX?
When I import NEF photos into Lightroom, they do not look as good as they appear when importing into Capture NX. The colours look a little more muddy and there is a lack of contrast.
This means that ...
10
votes
3answers
507 views
Should I convert RAW to jpeg before making an HDR?
I've been going back and forth with this. I've been looking more into working with some HDR to just get a feel for the process. I have a 500D and I'm using exposure bracketing to take 3 shots. 0, -2, ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I fix RAW images that appear washed out in Lightroom3?
When I open raw/NEF images in Lightroom, they appear washed out as compared to viewing them in Picasa (same computer monitor). If I open JPEGs, they're fine in Lightroom.
Anyone know how to fix ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
Can any point-and-shoot camera take RAW images?
Which point and shoot cameras support RAW images? Is there any way to take RAW images on unsupported cameras?
5
votes
3answers
937 views
Can I simulate Active D-Lighting on post processing?
I'm using a Nikon D5000 and I think I get more noise using Active D-Lighting on Auto. If I turn it off, how can I simulate A D-Lighting in post processing? I shoot RAW.
4
votes
4answers
209 views
Can I save the JPEG preview image that's generated in-camera when I shoot in RAW-only mode?
When you're shooting in RAW-only mode (not RAW+JPG), most (all?) cameras also generate a JPEG preview using the current style settings. This is what you see momentarily when you first import the image ...
3
votes
1answer
5k views
How to mass convert RAW images into JPEG in Lightroom 3?
I have 1000 raw photos that I would like to convert all to jpg. Is there a way I can do this all at once or can I only do it one by one?
2
votes
4answers
735 views
How can I convert a proprietary raw image format to Adobe DNG?
I have a proprietary raw camera image format taken from a Aptina camera.
Its raw file format is 16bit per color channel, 'GRBG' mode with file extension .raw. No headers, nothing, just plan raw bayer ...
21
votes
6answers
1k views
Which cameras support DNG natively?
Not all cameras support DNG natively. That is, if you want to process DNG files they need to be converted from the camera's proprietary RAW format to DNG afterwards. So, which cameras support DNG ...
7
votes
4answers
860 views
How many bits of data are typically actually captured by a digital camera sensor?
In a comment on this question someone suggested that camera sensors typically only output 12-14 bits of data. I was surprised because that would mean that 24 bits of color is only useful for doing ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
How does Photoshop/Lightroom get the Colour temperature of a Raw image?
I captured a Raw image using my Canon 450D. When imported this RAW(CR2) file into Lightroom and Photoshop CS5, it showed the Temperature as 4900 and White Balance setting - "As shot". When I checked ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
What causes this sort of RAW file corruption?
I came home from a recent trip to Gettysburg with almost 1500 photos. Among them were a handful that appear to have been corrupted, as shown below. It was hot during the hikes -- ambient temperature ...
5
votes
2answers
985 views
How do I get Adobe Camera RAW to read the the in-camera settings from Nikon raw .NEF files?
I dislike the losing of camera settings when I shoot in raw (.NEF) in nikon. The colors become dimmed and the camera noise reduction is removed , so the the photos look very noisy compared with ...
4
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I return to Camera RAW window after opening an image?
I tend to open a bunch of RAW files at the same time and move through them using the preview to find the image I want to work on. When I click on "Open Image" (perhaps after adjusting white balance ...
4
votes
2answers
634 views
Damaged RAW (NEF)-files: ideas?
I damaged some of my NEF-files by using a script using ExifTool on subdirectories: I copied the exif-information from the original JPG to created JPG, using "-tagsFromFile ...
11
votes
10answers
17k views
Cheap/free tool to view/convert Canon CR2 RAW format photo files on Windows?
Recently, my family had some professional photos taken while vacationing at a resort. The photos were given to us on CD in both .CR2 and .jpg formats.
While we can view the JPEG-format versions of ...
13
votes
6answers
7k views
Where can I get free RAW files online for practicing with Lightroom?
I've downloaded Adobe Lightroom in order to learn RAW image processing. I want to practise on some photos that covers basic subjects (Histograms, HDR etc).
Is there a good, free source of RAW images ...
13
votes
5answers
3k views
Nikon RAW image processing in non-Nikon software
I love Adobe Lightroom, the workflow, the interface, the whole package. However, as a Nikon owner never did I manage to get the colors to look as good as after processing with Capture NX. No doubt ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What workflow should I use for processing RAW photos in Lightroom?
I started shooting in RAW, and I use Adobe Lightroom.
What workflow would you recommend to use for the processing?
I will really appreciate a detailed description of the steps (or a link to one).
...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of different Bayer demosaicing algorithms?
Bayer sensors use a pattern of red, green, and blue pixels, and merge those together into a final color image, with one pixel for every single color sensor. This could be done through a "naive" ...
9
votes
3answers
425 views
Are RAW files safe from changes?
While I'm shooting my pictures as RAWs (or actually JPEG+RAW) for a while, I haven't really have ever worked with the RAW files so far.
When opening the RAW files, and playing with the options, I'm ...
9
votes
7answers
3k views
Which small point-and-shoot cameras support RAW images?
What small point-and-shoot cameras are available that support RAW images? I'm looking for something to use when I don't want to lug my SLR around, so I want something that is small and convenient. In ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
In ufraw, how to use the two curves?
I have a basic understanding of curves. That is, I know the mathematical concept behind them, and I have an idea what happens when I change them. But this knowledge came from sources which assumed ...
