Raw 101:
Better Images with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher
Author: Jon Canfield Sybex 1151 Mariana Village Parkway Alameda, CA 94501 Pages: 176 $25 USD, $35 CND, £18 GBP, 28€ EUR ISBN: 0782144322 Strengths: The author does a fine job with not only explaining about RAW images but how best to make the best of RAW and the multiple latitude that these images provide. Well laid how book,. Can be used with Photoshop CS (can possibly use other versions) or Photoshop elements. Nice screenshots and good use of photos to illustrate how to work with the tasks. Weaknesses: None found. |
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Raw is one of the “hot buzzwords” concerning digital media. Working with Raw images set on your digital camera is like working with the negatives with regular photographic cameras. All the information is held with the image. None of the photographic-light information is lost. In this case, you can work with the images without compression, the full color set and more. This means you have more latitude to work with your images.
First I had to gain an understanding of the difference between TIFF images and RAW images. I found this book and started reading about the author. Mr. Canfield is a landscape and nature photographer. His images have appeared in PC photo and a host of other magazines as well as a co-author of other books regarding photo finishing.
Before I left to help coordinate an eclipse trip to South Africa in 2001, I had planned to use a digital camera that I bought. I settled on buying the Kodak 280. I specifically wanted it for the fact that it could shoot TIFF mode, which could give me more detail. I had hoped to shoot a photo of the eclipsed sun that might appear in an Astronomy magazine. This worked out (Astronomy magazine picked my eclipse 2001 photo for one of their issues). I did use a TIFF file but there was a limit to I could apply information to the TIFF file. At that time I had no idea or concept about RAW images. I was very happy about my TIFF Astronomy picture but what about the future?
Then I bought a Minolta Dimage 7, a 5-megapixel camera. When I heard about RAW images, I looked and found my Minolta Dimage 7 digital camera can take RAW mode images. Then I began to see the pros and cons for using or not using RAW images. The file size for each picture made, are huge. The (superfine_ size is 9.5 Mb versus a fine (2.1 Mb) so if you want to use a series of RAW images, one needs huge storage file in the way of compact flashcard especially if one wants to take more then a couple of pictures . There are additional extenuating circumstances and disadvantages to dealing with RAW images.
What I think is important and the author rightly proclaims, is that just using RAW images will not make a poor image better. While the book explains how you need to make your RAW pictures better, there is a lot to think about in terms of using RAW images even before you start with RAW, and if that is a way you want have images produced.
The big size of the images also involves dealing with not only the size factor but in different ways other then your storage capacity. Continuous advance mode could not be used with RAW images and the shutter must be released manually. This is partially due to the fact that their is a delay between 30 and 40 seconds can occur as the image is saved to the CompactFlash. Also the monitor will be blank and the access lamp will glow during the period of time when the delay is in action. Raw is saved as 12-bit file. The DIMAGE Viewer Utility software can convert data into 48 bit TIFF files. I also found that the RAW image has a file header that contains white balance information that has changes made to compare and contrast and provide saturation with the digital effects controller including images processed information applied with the settings and changes in sharpness. Color mode, interestingly, has not effect on the final image. A black and white color mode image can be restored to a color picture! The changes are not applied on the camera and if viewed, the color can look unnatural. However using the Minolta viewing software with the computer the natural color is restored. The changes to camera sensitivity are applied to the RAW data, ISO (ASA) values and can be manually set to control noise.
This 156-page book has a series of practical lessons in its seven chapters. The instructions also use screen shots and very nicely done photos. There are a series of valuable yellow notes scattered through the sections that highlight more information. The instructions are well laid out and the instructions and information have a good and easy look and feel to learning throughout the chapters.
In its subsection (page xvi) there is some interesting information about the comparisons and differences also for JPEG and TIFF files which are usually the way to save your final images. While I thought TIFF files were very much like RAW, there is still much different between the two modes, RAW provides more flexibility because you have immediate more control concerning all aspects of the files which hold all the information to work with.
Chapter 1 is entitled “Preliminary workflow. ” Workflow is the latest “buzzword” regarding using procedures for a specific purpose. This chapter has information about downloading and organizing images. Rating, selecting images and selecting images for conversion round out this section.
With Chapter 2 and Adobe camera raw, explores using preview mode (rotate, crop etc) so one learns even some of the basic you might know. Bit depth, learning about histograms, adjustment sliders and auto controls and fine-tuning are also important and the author takes you through these important effects and uses.
Chapter 3 explains the raw conversion working with White balance and a series of controls including exposure, shadow, brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustment and sharpness adjustment.
Chapter 4 goes into Beyond the basics, Here is information about color tint adjustment, controlling noise, and noise reduction, converting to black and white and saving and using custom settings.
Chapter 5 Automating Camera Raw shows how to work with applying settings, converting images, quick fix settings, resizing images, using the most helpful “actions,” in Photoshop CS2 only (but possibly can be used with other version of Photoshop as I do)
Chapter 6 Advanced conversion options works with fixing chromatic aberration, adjusting vignettes, using curve controls, calibrating RAW images, and adjusting hue and saturation. Cropping and straightening, custom settings and sawing in Camera RAW mode are here too.
Chapter 7 Finishing touches discusses adjusting output levels, removing dust, increasing dynamic range, sharpening and saving in TIFF and JPEG are covered.
The Appendix includes a series of keyboard shortcuts that can be used to make your work a quicker experience.
If RAW is the way you want to deliver your final image(s), then this book is for you. The author has written a beautiful book with good insight and information. The introduction helps you become acquainted with RAW images. Introductions and beginning use of Photoshop or element features are used which is good for novice and intermediate users as well. Then more advanced levels are also included in an well-orchestrated fashion. Photoshop or Photoshop elements are both programs that the author uses (also use of screenshots), for transforming RAW images and what you want to accomplish. Either way you have the versatility to make your RAW photos better by using this book if using RAW images are images for you.
