Who else here shoots in RAW mode?

[ethlar]

I was wondering if anyone else here with a DSLR shoots in raw mode, ive just started to because ive decided that i want more control over my images. My friend also introduced me to the most amazing RAW file processing software that i have ever seen, Phase One's Capture One Pro software.

Its blazing fast and allows you almost infinite control over any aspect of the image

[marc-o-lishuz]

i usually shoot raw; i use PS CS2 for raw processing.

[spincycle]

I also use PS CS2 and shoot in raw mode only when I am going to be manipulating the image a lot. I have the new Canon XTI and at 10.1 MP I can stand to loose a little quality with jpg, and the RAWs are dang huge.

[P4rD0nM3]

I do. I use Photoshop CS2 for the web and Illustrator for prints.

[Skyline]

If you shoot a DSLR, then RAW is the only way to go. Why in the world wouldn't you?

Like others above I use Adobe Camera Raw.

[ethlar]

i found out from my friend who does professional event photography that a lot of pros dont shoot raw, it suprised me.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by ethlar

i found out from my friend who does professional event photography that a lot of pros dont shoot raw, it suprised me.

Well, if you're in a controlled lighting situation, and you're confident in your skills it's not a necessity, I guess. You can alter .jpegs pretty well in PS.

Personally, though, I say better safe that sorry.

[uscgbeachbum]

What are the capabilities of RAW mode? I have it on my Canon G3 (an outdated 5 MP). Also, one picture of my wedding came out blurry (taken by the damn photographer). You can't "unblur" a picture, can you?

[marc-o-lishuz]

Originally Posted by uscgbeachbum

What are the capabilities of RAW mode? I have it on my Canon G3 (an outdated 5 MP). Also, one picture of my wedding came out blurry (taken by the damn photographer). You can't "unblur" a picture, can you?

RAW is an uncompressed format, so all the visual data collected by the camera's sensor is not "simplified" (unlike jpegs which are compressed a lot).

Blur can't really be corrected because that is what the camera captured.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by uscgbeachbum

What are the capabilities of RAW mode? I have it on my Canon G3 (an outdated 5 MP). Also, one picture of my wedding came out blurry (taken by the damn photographer). You can't "unblur" a picture, can you?

If you shoot in RAW mode, then you can open it up in a RAW program and adjust all of your initial settings...exposure, brightness, contrast, white balance, color correction, and many other things. It's almost like taking the picture again, but with the correct settings. It also allows you to change the color space that you took the photo in (sRGB, or adobe, etc.). This is very important if you plan to print any of your own photographs.

Unfortunately, unblurring photos is next to impossible. You can use sharpening techniques, and reduce noise, etc. But, if it's just out of focus or your shutter speed wasn't fast enough, there are a limited # of options in terms of fixing it.

[Rpm2]

I've been shooting in raw format for over 4years now and I will never go back to jpg. Also I use CS2 for processing.

[bokeh]

Jpeg is for noobs/pros... Raw is for people in between...

[gbae007]

I've been shooting for years and I don't see the need for RAW. I use the highest resolution jpeg but then again my source files are 8"x10" photos at the largest. A 5 mp camera will give you over 300dpi as that size.

If you use RAW and your final output is a web-based photo - you are just being inefficient with your storage. There is simply no need. Caveat: when you are intenting to create multiple edited iterations of the same file it can be useful.

[ILL FG2]

I just started using raw, and I kind of agree with him... although I am liking the adjustability of raw, it is a little useless for web hosting.

[P4rD0nM3]

I use JPEG for events (I.E. SEMA) where PP doesn't really matter since what you to show your clients what happened in that event. Plus you can't tell other bystanders/photographers to move out of the way simply because they are in the way of your shot. Or are you going to clone out a hand or someone's face because it was in the way? Hell no. You want to upload that event A.S.A.P. Show your clients this is what happened and this are the stuff that's in the event. Even if you have three 2GB CF's, you'll run out of memory before the event ends.

I use RAW for published work. RAW can adjust the exposure better than a JPEG without sacrificing quality. Try adjusting your image as a JPEG file and try adjusting it as a RAW file, look at your histogram...every adjustment you make on the JPEG will result in a spiky graph. Now compare it when you're adjusting the RAW file smoother right? You just don't lose that much detail when editing RAW files as opposed to editing JPEG files.

Both JPEG and RAW have advantages and disadvantages. If you have all the time in the world and you really want your images to stand out I suggest shooting in RAW (Even for web based applications). If you go to events or where ever wherein things can happen in a split second, hot damn you want to click your damn camera as fast as you can right? JPEG is for you.

[gbae007]

^ Well said, PardonM3!

[eugenekim.net]

i do.

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by Skyline

If you shoot a DSLR, then RAW is the only way to go. Why in the world wouldn't you?

Like others above I use Adobe Camera Raw.

because you nailed the exposure, and you want to get your stuff printed faster without first converting, and want to save space on the card?

JPEG is totally fine. dont use JPEG to resave images, but its fine coming out of the camera.

go ditch your digital camera for a while and only shoot slide film. it will improve your ability and you'll see why you dont always need RAW.

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

I use JPEG for events (I.E. SEMA) where PP doesn't really matter since what you to show your clients what happened in that event.

PP only ever matters when you make mistakes.

If you go to events or where ever wherein things can happen in a split second, hot damn you want to click your damn camera as fast as you can right? JPEG is for you.

this is not making sense to me. i cant understand why something happening in a split second = JPEG. cameras shoot faster in RAW because they dont have to convert anything.

[ethlar]

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

PP only ever matters when you make mistakes.

I frequently make mistakes, so its good to cover my a$$

Originally Posted by e60.deluxe

this is not making sense to me. i cant understand why something happening in a split second = JPEG. cameras shoot faster in RAW because they dont have to convert anything.

The file that has to be written to the card is significantly larger than as a jpeg