Very stupid beginners question. RAW.

[wbeem]

What is the best or easiest program to convert the RAW image to JPEG?

None of them are difficult. It's not like you have to flip a bunch of switches on an aircraft carrier. You just export the file as a JPEG - often a menu item that also has a keyboard shortcut.

 

[SrisonS]

What is the best or easiest program to convert the RAW image to JPEG?

Canon's DPP software that probably came with your 7D is a great place to start. It's pretty basic; but it's free and easy, and you can do batch processing (a lot of pictures at once).

But if you want to invest in something, I'd highly recommend Lightroom 3; or maybe even wait for version 4 to come out soon.

 

[leeshiebean]

Canon's DPP software that probably came with your 7D is a great place to start. It's pretty basic; but it's free and easy, and you can do batch processing (a lot of pictures at once).

But if you want to invest in something, I'd highly recommend Lightroom 3; or maybe even wait for version 4 to come out soon.

The cool thing about LR is that it's a catalog database, and you don't actually edit the original file. So not only does your original RAW file stay unedited and intact in its folder, but you can edit all you want and the data will be saved in the LR catalog. You can export to flickr, smugmug, etc straight from the catalog, eliminating the need to export a jpg file (unless you really need one on your computer). It ends up taking less file space on your computer/external drive. I've been super pumped about that!

 

[Shutterbug]

What is the best or easiest program to convert the RAW image to JPEG?

Yeah Canon's DPP software is a good place to start. One reason is that DPP reads your Canon Camera's RAW formula very well to start off. So what you see in the camera is pretty much what you will see in the program. It doesnt have the myriad of adjustment tools that Lightroom has but sometimes thats a good thing. I use DPP when I want to make quick adjustments to my photos.

DPP is also free, so I would definitely start off with it to see whats capable with raw format.

 

[Shutterbug]

As far as using Raw, I shoot mostly in raw. Though when I am shooting for my autox club I will shoot all in jpeg. That lets me get the photos posted as soon as I am home as opposed to having to spend time converting them.

 

[photo_chick]

The cool thing about LR is that it's a catalog database, and you don't actually edit the original file. So not only does your original RAW file stay unedited and intact in its folder, but you can edit all you want and the data will be saved in the LR catalog. You can export to flickr, smugmug, etc straight from the catalog, eliminating the need to export a jpg file (unless you really need one on your computer). It ends up taking less file space on your computer/external drive. I've been super pumped about that!

You never edit the original RAW file with any software. The settings are either stored in a sidecar file or in the software's library.

 

[BigTuna07]

Thanks all!!!! I just tried DPP and it works great!

 

[PixieDust32]

How can I edit my pictures while still in RAW, i know how to convert them but I can't pull them up on Photoshop until they're JPEG. Make senses?

Thanks

 

[photo_chick]

How can I edit my pictures while still in RAW, i know how to convert them but I can't pull them up on Photoshop until they're JPEG. Make senses?

Thanks

What version of Photoshop are you using? In any version you have to use the Adobe Camera RAW plug in to open camera RAW files. In newer versions is already included, older versions you have to go get it from Adobe's site. It's a free download.

 

[PixieDust32]

Mine is old, Adobe photoshop CS. Thank you. I have all the raw files saved in their original transfer folder.