Raw 1.01

[Damien Symonds]

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MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO RAW

Welcome to Raw processing

The small act of switching your camera from Jpeg to Raw is a big deal. It opens up a new world of control over your images, but can seem daunting at first.

In this module I will introduce you to Raw files, examine their benefits, and discuss how they fit into your workflow.

Many of you have already made the switch to Raw, either recently or long ago. But I hope you will take the time to read through this module all the same - it isn’t very long, and there are many important reminders for you.

Information overload!

There is a lot of information in this class, so take your time reading each slide. No doubt you’ll need to read some modules more than once to absorb it all. And I urge you to read the whole course regularly during your year of membership. You’ll be surprised at how many new things you pick up each time.

Important note:

If you are one of the folk who have signed up for The Bridge Class and The Raw Class at the same time, it's wise to absorb the Bridge one first.  So if you haven't read through your Bridge Class yet, please stop here and go and do that one now.  If you've signed up to this class but not the Bridge one, please consider it.  It's so vital to your whole workflow.

Correct viewing

It goes without saying that the class is best viewed on a calibrated screen.  If you don't own a monitor calibrator yet, please push it to the top of your "What I'll buy next" list.

If you're reading the class on your mobile device right now, well, I'm sure you understand that the colours you're seeing are wrong.  It doesn't matter too much for these first few modules, but please try to switch to your computer for Module 5 onwards.

Next: Asking questions >>

[DeidreT]

I wasn't sure where I should ask this question, so feel free to move if there is a more appropriate place. I shot a silhouette and I am wondering how to RAW process it? To get that really dark silhouette with little detail, is it ok to move the blacks down in RAW or should I leave some detail and make it darker in Photoshop with levels?

[Damien Symonds]

2 hours ago, DeidreT said:

I wasn't sure where I should ask this question, so feel free to move if there is a more appropriate place. I shot a silhouette and I am wondering how to RAW process it? To get that really dark silhouette with little detail, is it ok to move the blacks down in RAW or should I leave some detail and make it darker in Photoshop with levels?

Funny, I'm just having this conversation with somebody else too.

It's fine to be aggressive with the Blacks in raw, as long as you don't risk losing any detail you might want back later.

[Kellie W]

Damien, somewhere in my reading, I read where you said to check our colourspace on our PS to ensure it is sRGB rather than Adobe RGB. I just found in the menus of my camera (Canon Mark 5diii) that there is also a Colour Space setting. I would make sense based on your PS advice that the Camera should this also be set to sRGB? Would you agree or is this unnecessary? The article that pointed out this camera setting was in favour of the Adobe setting.

[Damien Symonds]

2 hours ago, Kellie W said:

Damien, somewhere in my reading, I read where you said to check our colourspace on our PS to ensure it is sRGB rather than Adobe RGB. I just found in the menus of my camera (Canon Mark 5diii) that there is also a Colour Space setting. I would make sense based on your PS advice that the Camera should this also be set to sRGB? Would you agree or is this unnecessary? The article that pointed out this camera setting was in favour of the Adobe setting.

Technically, it doesn't matter when you shoot raw, because raw files have no colour space.

But if you ever like to refer to the histogram on the back of the camera when you're shooting, then yes, it's a good idea to make sure your camera is on sRGB.

[Kellie W]

thanks

 

[Allysa]

I had followed this information in regards to having my colourspace on my pc set as sRGB, but it was this that mucked up my photos when I sent them to a printer. It turned out that the professional printing company printed in Adobe RGB, and because mine were sent to them in sRGB, they came back very dull and bland..........

[Damien Symonds]

Then they're not a professional printing company.  Any professional printing company worth their salt can honour any profile that's sent to them.

Time to change printers.

[Allysa]

They are a propular printing company here in NZ............this is on their website. "All files must be supplied in RGB format, 8-bit, 250dpi. Files must have an embedded ICC profile, either Adobe 1998 (Queensberry's preferred ICC profile for it's wider gamut, and required for press-printed albums) or sRGB (only available for silver-halide and inkjet printing)." 

After complaining and going back and forth with them - it was sorted once the profile was changed to adobe RGB. Sorry for the enlarged text - it was as taken from the site and I couldn't see a way of changing it.........

[Damien Symonds]

Yep.  Not good enough.  Find a new lab

[amhw]

I read that Chrome has implemented color management recently, but wanted to check before I go ahead. Do I still need to switch to Firefox?

[Damien Symonds]

12 minutes ago, amhw said:

I read that Chrome has implemented color management recently, but wanted to check before I go ahead. Do I still need to switch to Firefox?

They've been saying that for years.  It's never truly happened yet.

[Aymar]

Hi Damien, 

Really keen to take the Raw class but I am not calibrated and cannot see it happening for a couple of months. Is it still worth it? I will prioritise calibrating but most likely only after some travels I have coming up. 

Cheers

Aymar

[Damien Symonds]

20 minutes ago, Aymar said:

Hi Damien, 

Really keen to take the Raw class but I am not calibrated and cannot see it happening for a couple of months. Is it still worth it? I will prioritise calibrating but most likely only after some travels I have coming up. 

Cheers

Aymar

Oh yeah, you can still take the class without calibration, you just can't apply for the mentoring part of it.

[Michelle Zeiss]

Hi Damien,

I too will not be able to calibrate until I order my need monitor and calibration system. But I will be taking the standard RAW class. Looking forward to it.