shooting in RAW mode?

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mysterio84

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I keep hearing about RAW mode and as i am new to photograpy im not quite sure what it is, i know that it is the format in which an image is saved as but what is the purpose and benefits of it?

I have heard that it is more beneficial for use in photoshop but why is this?I do use photoshop but i am a novice and normally have to follow tutorials in order to carry out a task :)

Am i better off shooting in raw mode?Also does photoshop convert from raw to jpeg?

Any info on this RAW mode will be very mcuh appreciated!

thanks
 
RAW files essentially give you more flexibility. White balance etc. isn't stored in the image data and so you're able to do more with your image in post processing. I personally only shoot in RAW mode but it depends what you want to do and how you use your images. To open RAW files, you should have had a CD with your camera which has the tools to import RAW files, assuming you're using Windows. On a Mac, it's built in.
 
Think of RAW as a negative. Raw files always need some form of processing (even if it's just a sharpen) as nothing is done to the image in camera.

the Jpg format produced by the camera is usually sharpened and various other bits (contrast, saturation etc) are done in camera, with raw you have to do it all afterwards.

RAW isn't always the best format to use. If you're printing there and then, you don't want to be messing about with RAW, but if you're shooting for fun and feel comfortable using photoshop etc, then there's no good reason not to use raw imo. Apart from storage space perhaps :D
 
so does that mean that if i shoot in raw i can open it up in photoshop or will it need to be converted to jpeg first before i open it in photoshop?
 
RAW is what it says - raw, unprocessed, uncompressed data. If you're shooting jpegs with your camera, each picture will be roughly 2.5mb in size, depending on what MP your sensor is. A RAW file from the same camera would be around 9mb in size. So, you can't fit anything like as many images onto one memory card, and they take up much more space on your PC when you download them from your camera. But, from someone who has recently made the switch to RAW, the oppurtunities it open up in PP over jpeg make it worthwhile.
 
no you can open it in PS

raw is a image as the sensor see's it, not converted to a jpeg
 
mysterio84 said:
so does that mean that if i shoot in raw i can open it up in photoshop or will it need to be converted to jpeg first before i open it in photoshop?
Click to expand...

You can open RAW files in photoshop CS3, and then save them as jpegs once you've done all your processing for uploading to the web or storing them on your hard drive.
 
Depends upon which version of photoshop you have. For example Photoshop 7 will not open raw files, but CS2 and above will. Not too sure about CS1.
 
If your camera can shoot in raw+jpg and card capacity isn't a problem then you can shoot both. You then have the convenience of jpgs for quick viewing and showing people, and the raws to select from and process to your liking at leisure.
 
barrypriddis said:
Depends upon which version of photoshop you have. For example Photoshop 7 will not open raw files, but CS2 and above will. Not too sure about CS1.
Click to expand...

The OP could use the RAW converter that came with his camera (the camera brand isn't mentioned in the post) and, I expect, create a TIF file after making any adjustments required, this then could be opened in PS7 for any further work and a JPG created for the web or whatever.

I could imagine that only a % of pictures would then need to travel into PS7, with many just needing the first stage.

Anthony.
 
i don't do much pp but i only shoot in raw, i find it really helps if I'm converting to high contrast B&W. I mostly use lightroom, but do a bit in photoshop as well.
 
i do shoot in RAW + Jpeg but im a old fashiond guy and like to take the pic i want with no need for editing, i dont really like doing any at all so the RAW is just incase i need to do anything.
 
barrypriddis said:
Depends upon which version of photoshop you have. For example Photoshop 7 will not open raw files, but CS2 and above will. Not too sure about CS1.
Click to expand...
Are you sure about this as i have photoshop 7 and when you click 'open' and click the drop down menu there is a .RAW option, 6th from the bottom of the list.
 
Hi Andy
I have tried this, but when RAW is selected and the file where my RAW images are is also selected, no images are available to open.
Also, I usually open images through File Browser, and when a RAW file is selected no images are available.
I actually prefer Photoshop 7 to CS2 - I have both - and usually adjust white balance using Canon's DPP, then save as a TIFF file and complete any further adjustments in PS7.
Regards
 
Also if you download the raw codec from the camera manufacturer you can view the raw files in windows.
 
AndyWest said:
Are you sure about this as i have photoshop 7 and when you click 'open' and click the drop down menu there is a .RAW option, 6th from the bottom of the list.
Click to expand...

I think you will find that that is a very old graphic format which is nothing to do with camera raw files such as *NEF, *.CR2, etc.

Anthony.
 
i have rescued alot of images shooting in raw with better rescues than fidling with jpg images.
Granted is getting less and less i have to recover but the plan is shoot RAW jsut for a little extra insurance!
 
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