Question about shooting in Raw - DPChallenge Forums

01/08/2006 12:33:40 PM · #1

Do i HAVE to shoot in raw to convert my photos into TIFFS or other formats?

I have to be able to provide different types of files to a client.

Can I shoot in .jpg and convert later?

Thanks,

Kelly

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/08/2006 12:37:52 PM · #2

You can convert to TIFF from any format, but to get the most advantage out of the TIFF format, RAW would be the way to shoot. OR, some cameras shoot in TIFF format also, but the file sizes are usually larger than the RAW files.

Mostly, the decision to shoot RAW vs JPEG would come down to WHY they want the files in TIFF Format. Remember, JPEG is a lossy file format, TIFF is lossless. Thus, if you convert from JPEG to TIFF, the compression artifacts and such will get converted too.

My advice, if they want TIFFs it's usually a quality thing. Go RAW for this one.

Message edited by author 2006-01-08 12:46:00.

PDavis

Canon EOS-20D

01/08/2006 12:37:58 PM · #3

You have to shoot in RAW and convert to other formats. (JPG and TIFF) I do not think that you can go the other way. Maybe software, but I don't think so.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

01/08/2006 12:47:14 PM · #4

the only logical reason to convert to tiff is to save the most data. Only raw can give you that.

01/08/2006 01:04:27 PM · #5

Thanks guys. I have never shot in raw. I only have photoshop 6.0. I am guessing I wont even be able to view them unless I have 7.0 right?

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/08/2006 01:08:00 PM · #6

Rawshooter Essentials
That's one of the best ways to convert from RAW.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

01/08/2006 01:08:07 PM · #7

Originally posted by CalliopeKel:

Thanks guys. I have never shot in raw. I only have photoshop 6.0. I am guessing I wont even be able to view them unless I have 7.0 right?

You could download RawShooter Essential for free (as long as you use a PC). You can make plenty of alterations and save as TIFF from there.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

01/08/2006 01:10:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by CalliopeKel:

Thanks guys. I have never shot in raw. I only have photoshop 6.0. I am guessing I wont even be able to view them unless I have 7.0 right?

Even 7.0 will not give you RAW conversion capability. You'll need at least CS, and even then I think you'll need to use the DNG converter and then open them in CS.
A good alternative is to get Raw Shooter Essentials (it's free and a good RAW converter) and convert to TIFF using that, then edit as required and save back to TIFF.

01/08/2006 01:21:44 PM · #9

Ok, I am downloading that program. Now, Im afraid of shooting only in raw today, since Im not familiar with the files/etc.

should I shoot in jpg and raw just to be safe?

Sheesh they are huge files....this isnt good. I only have a few 512mb cards.

Message edited by author 2006-01-08 13:24:36.

01/08/2006 01:25:03 PM · #10

If the 350D does RAW+Jpeg-fine and you have plenty of memory, that couldn't hurt. Really though, if you have RAW files you are less likely to mess up a shoot than you are with JPEG. No reason to be scared of RAW.

EDIT: Oh, I just saw that you don't have a lot of memory. Go with RAW only. We can help you convert them. Will you be shooting a lot on this gig?

Message edited by author 2006-01-08 13:28:20.

01/08/2006 01:28:38 PM · #11

Thanks fotomann....you just settled my nerves. :)

01/08/2006 01:30:03 PM · #12

Well I have to get a formal headshot and a casual, so not alot of volume, but I want to try several different poses each to be sure I get the shot I need. I think I could get by with 30 photos or so.

01/08/2006 01:33:13 PM · #13

You'll be fine shooting RAW then. Like I said, we can help you with conversion later. And, you are a lot more likely to get great results with RAW format, because it can be pushed more easily than JPEG.

01/08/2006 01:34:41 PM · #14

Thanks for the fast responses. Gonna shoot in raw. I will just more carefully compose my shots and delete any bad ones on the spot if I have to.

Should my white balance be on Auto?
What about shutterspeed, Iso etc. Any special things there?

01/08/2006 01:37:16 PM · #15

Nope... nothing special about shooting RAW as far as exposure or ISO. Shoot as usual.

As far as WB goes, that is one of the beauties of RAW. White balance can be set afterwards. So, yes, shoot with WB in Auto. If Auto misses the WB it can easily be fixed. ;-)

01/08/2006 01:37:53 PM · #16

Thanks, now I must head out to my shoot.

Wish me luck!

01/08/2006 01:38:27 PM · #17

Good luck... have fun!

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/08/2006 06:52:32 PM · #18

Shoot went fine. Got 2 good poses I think. Here they are. If you don't like the hand in the photo, too bad, thats what she wanted. :^p

Got the Raw Shooter program installed and was able to convert to Tiff with no incidences. What a great program, you have so much more control over things than jpg!

Thought I would add. Photos shot outdoors, in shade, tripod,silver reflector. Raw, No fill flash. ISO 200, f 8.0, shutter 125

Message edited by author 2006-01-08 23:48:49.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

01/08/2006 06:59:31 PM · #19

16 bit Tiff is better then 8 bit Tiff, but you will need CS to play with 16 bit.

01/08/2006 09:36:42 PM · #20

Glad to see you got the shots and RAW went well for you. See told you there was no reason to be scared of RAW ;-)

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/08/2006 10:20:52 PM · #21

Im finding it very challenging to get alot of good photos at a shoot, seems like Im only walking away with a couple good ones. Is that par for the course?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/08/2006 10:41:34 PM · #22

I went out and shot in the RAW once, I got picked up for indecent exposure...

Sorry, had to...

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/08/2006 10:45:11 PM · #23

Great shots, I like both of them. Wendy2 especially (for the pose). But in both cases your B/W conversion looks excellent.

01/08/2006 11:24:27 PM · #24

Originally posted by CalliopeKel:

Im finding it very challenging to get alot of good photos at a shoot, seems like Im only walking away with a couple good ones. Is that par for the course?

Pretty much. :-) The better you get, the more photos you will disgard as "not your best."

Message edited by author 2006-01-08 23:25:29.