RAW file format

[MICKEY88]

first, what camera do you have, I shoot with sony and their raw editing software does a great job..

that aside, I use PSP, taking your first pic try adjust/brightness & contrast..just bump the brightness to about 5 contrast to 15..from that starting point adjust to your liking...


I think maybe using levels and curves, is complicationg things for you, I would try using one or the other..

as for your outside shots if you're shooting wide open, what shutter speed are you using...the aperture is only one part of the equation for proper exposure ....

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm going to give it another try in the AM. I thought I backed off on the clipping but maybe more. Part of my issue is the curves in PSP is an actual curve, no sliders, makes it difficult to get right.

I find the best method is to first set the high and low points and then start making the curve. It can get complicated, but it often helps to have at least a couple different points on the curve.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Duey, are you not getting my EXIF data because I'm set to private? I didn't even think about that, I'll take it off private if that's what it is. Or do I have to do something to make sure it shows up? How do I find it to just give to you?

I'm not sure if the private option will help. I do not use Flicker for posting so am unsure if that is the problem. Anyone here use Flicker?

It is possible in PS to remove the EXIF data when saving your edited image. Be careful not to do that.

 

[wenrob]

first, what camera do you have, I shoot with sony and their raw editing software does a great job..

I'm using a Nikon D40. The software if "Picture 7.1" or something like that. At the time it took over my pic files etc and I uninstalled it thinking it was just an organizer.

that aside, I use PSP, taking your first pic try adjust/brightness & contrast..just bump the brightness to about 5 contrast to 15..from that starting point adjust to your liking...

Going to give this a try. Like mentioned in a previous thread I got some really bad advice and am trying to unlearn things.

as for your outside shots if you're shooting wide open, what shutter speed are you using...the aperture is only one part of the equation for proper exposure ....

I know, but to be honest, I haven't been paying attention just going by what the meter says, looking a the onboard histogram and going from there. It's starting to cool off so I'll be getting a chance to practice and pay attention soon. (If my kids will let me!)

I find the best method is to first set the high and low points and then start making the curve. It can get complicated, but it often helps to have at least a couple different points on the curve.

The black and white points right? I can't for the life of me figure out how to set the white when there is no white (or the white looks grey or blue) in my pic. Any advice on how to do that accurately?

It is possible in PS to remove the EXIF data when saving your edited image. Be careful not to do that.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, how do I make sure not to do that? A setting in my software? The origional jpg, I did nothing to at all so it should be there. Maybe I have something set to not show it....

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice all, I appreciate it. I may seem clueless but I'm a quick learner so hopefully will do you all proud.

edited to add: Sharpening advice? Anyone? I'm not looking to perfect my pics just what would be a proper starting point for RAW images.

 

[wenrob]

Went to Flikr and found these on the jpg. They weren't on the edited RAW so I must have somehow saved over them. Not being able to see them might have to do w/privacy settings.
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 200 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV
Flash: Flash fired, auto mode
ISO Speed: 400

 

[wenrob]

Better? I took a smidge of everyone's advice:

 

[Shutterbug]

yes you can definetley see more color in her cheeks.

 

[dr_zero]

Better? I took a smidge of everyone's advice:

Looks good!

Try the clarify option see if you like that or too light

 

[DueyDooDah]

The real question is how close does it actually match the skin color of your daughter?

As for the EXIF info, it looks like Flicker is blocking the release of the info. If you can see it on the Flicker site but not on the Dis board, then it isn't possible to show it here, unless there is a setting in Flicker. Like I said, I don't use Flicker.

 

[handicap18]

Since I discovered that PSP will edit my RAW files (but not import them ) I decided that I'll shoot RAW.

I'm using a Nikon D40. The software if "Picture 7.1" or something like that. At the time it took over my pic files etc and I uninstalled it thinking it was just an organizer.

There are 2 free software programs from Nikon that will convert Nikon RAW images. I use Picture Project to download the images from the SD card to my computer.

To do some basic editing I use ViewNX (free at Nikon's web site). It will adjust Exposure Compensation, White Balance and Picture Control. I typically change all my images in picture control from Normal (shot in camera) to Neutral in ViewNX. I like the way it adjusts the overall lighting of the image. Every now and then I'll adjust the EC and also White Balance. It will do batch conversion with all those features. One of them will also remove red eye and also has a basic D-Lighting correction, though I don't use that feature.

 

[wenrob]

The real question is how close does it actually match the skin color of your daughter?

Darn near, dead on.

As for the EXIF info, it looks like Flicker is blocking the release of the info. If you can see it on the Flicker site but not on the Dis board, then it isn't possible to show it here, unless there is a setting in Flicker. Like I said, I don't use Flicker.

Yeah, I think it's because of my privacy settings. I'll try to remember to copy and paste them when I post pics.

 

[wenrob]

There are 2 free software programs from Nikon that will convert Nikon RAW images. I use Picture Project to download the images from the SD card to my computer.

To do some basic editing I use ViewNX (free at Nikon's web site). It will adjust Exposure Compensation, White Balance and Picture Control. I typically change all my images in picture control from Normal (shot in camera) to Neutral in ViewNX. I like the way it adjusts the overall lighting of the image. Every now and then I'll adjust the EC and also White Balance. It will do batch conversion with all those features. One of them will also remove red eye and also has a basic D-Lighting correction, though I don't use that feature.

Thank you, I will give those a look. I hear people talk about batch processing all the time, sure would be nice. So after you batch process, you tweak each individual pic in your editor?

 

[handicap18]

Thank you, I will give those a look. I hear people talk about batch processing all the time, sure would be nice. So after you batch process, you tweak each individual pic in your editor?

No I tweak the RAW files, sometimes all of them at the same time, at least when I change Picture Control... apply the adjustment to all the photos, then I'll go through the RAW files individually and make any WB or EC adjustments if needed. Then I'll batch convert all the files to my JPEG folder.

 

[Quicklabs]

It was only with View NX, but it sure is an improvement. Not sure I could have gotten this that much better with just PSE.
Not a great picture, (not a great location for shooting) but I was just playing with RAW to see if I could do it.
Before

After

After some PSE magic

Thanks for looking!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My comment doesn't have anything to do with the RAW - well, actually I can say that you got a nice improvement and were able to pull it out of the shadows. Is there anyway you could tone down the light coming thru the windows? Reduce the highlights or something? I've been playing around with RAW also but still working on getting the hang of all of the adjustments.

But my first thought was....what haul of ribbons! Super Agility dogs.

I had hoped to try agility with my Corgi's, but life hasn't allowed the time yet. It looks like it's a lot of fun!

 

[Quicklabs]

I wanted it to look as if the girls were in the "spotlight." Maybe I overdid a good thing....Thanks for the suggestion.

Is there anyway you could tone down the light coming thru the windows? Reduce the highlights or something? I've been playing around with RAW also but still working on getting the hang of all of the adjustments.

But my first thought was....what haul of ribbons! Super Agility dogs.

I had hoped to try agility with my Corgi's, but life hasn't allowed the time yet. It looks like it's a lot of fun!

Thanks for the nice comment about my girls. Those ribbons were from this weekend's Labor Day trials in Milford, Ohio. I'm positively addicted to the sport.

 

[jann1033]

my lightroom is on back order so i haven't even been processing anything, ....talk about spoiled
i like the spotlight effect, you might be able to darken up the pups and a couple of the white ribbons that got blown out just a tiny bit.

 

[DueyDooDah]

my lightroom is on back order so i haven't even been processing anything, ....talk about spoiled
i like the spotlight effect, you might be able to darken up the pups and a couple of the white ribbons that got blown out just a tiny bit.

If you haven't already, download the demo and use it until your license comes thru.

 

[Quicklabs]

And it's also gonna cost me more $$. View NX has whet my appetite, so now I think I'll probably have to get Capture NX. I think I will wait til I get back from my Disney trip so I can try the 30 day free trial first. And also had to buy about 20gb more memory cards!

Here's my favorite subject from this morning. The top of the front legs are a little blown out, but I can't selectively fix with just View NX

 

[DVC Jen]

It can be killer time consuming - but it gets faster the more you do it. And it is soooo worth it. I have saved a lot of photos I would have lost otherwise... tells ya alot about my photography skills huh? lol