jpeg or TIFF

[EB Photography]

Hi Damien,

I have a landscape image which I have HDR merged in the program Photomatix Pro. When saving the copy, the only options I have to save it are jpeg, TIFF 8 bit, or TIFF 16 bit. Can you please advise the best option to save it in please?  It is currently unedited, and I would like to do my RAW edit then take it into Photoshop. Potentially for a large print sale.

Thank you

Emma

[Damien Symonds]

What file format where the files you put IN to the program?

[EB Photography]

They are .NEF

[Damien Symonds]

Yeah, no.  This isn't right.  What other file formats does it accept?

[Damien Symonds]

You're supposed to do the raw processing first.

Then (I think) save as 16-bit TIFFs to put through Photomatix.  And export as another 16-bit TIFF out the other end.

[EB Photography]

It accepts jpeg, TIFF, DNG, PSD and RAW files. 

Do you think I should save the unedited .NEF file as a PSD before merging?

 

[Damien Symonds]

No, shit no!!!!!!!!!!!

You MUST DO YOUR COMPLETE RAW PROCESSING FIRST.

[EB Photography]

The merged images will form part of a pano, which I thought I should edit once they are all photo merged in photoshop

 

[Damien Symonds]

Of course not.  Raw editing must be done on raw files.  Period.

[EB Photography]

OK. Thanks! I'll batch edit the NEF images in RAW, then merge to HDR, then photo merge the pano. Sound good? 

Thanks for your advice. 

[Damien Symonds]

Of course there will be Levels work to do in Photoshop afterwards, just like any other photo.  But you MUST NOT skip the raw editing part of the workflow.  That's madness.

[EB Photography]

Thank you 

[Damien Symonds]

Just now, EB Photography said:

OK. Thanks! I'll batch edit the NEF images in RAW

And save them as 16-bit TIFFs or PSDs, yes.

Just now, EB Photography said:

then merge to HDR

Are you sure you even need to?  Remember, "merging to HDR" is only for people who don't know how to edit raw files; or for cases where one raw file genuinely doesn't capture the entire tonal range.

I know you're not the former, so is the latter true?

[EB Photography]

I believe it is the latter, as the photo is of a waterhole and waterfall, with the sky above. To get the slow shutter speed for the misty waterfall, the sky is blown out. 

[Damien Symonds]

Fair enough.

[EB Photography]

Giving it a try now. 

Thanks for your advice. 

[Damien Symonds]

For the love of God make sure you post the raw edits in class.

[EB Photography]

One image is underexposed to get the sky, and one is exposed for the waterfall. I'm not sure how I can do a full edit on a purposefully underexposed image. 

[Damien Symonds]

That's why I need you to post in class.

[EB Photography]

OK. I'll do that. I have done a RAW edit for WB and noise reduction so far. Can I post both photos after just doing just that as a starting point?

[Damien Symonds]

Sure, if that suits you.