Hi Cassie,
Welcome to DPC!
Your RAW file will require two stages of work; first, conversion to a common image format, then post-processing. The beauty of RAW is that, in conversion, you may choose to change white balance, exposure (to a degree) make color and contrast adjustments, and only after all this is done convert to JPEG (or TIF if you prefer). This minimizes the amount of post-process adjustment, and therefore increases the quality of the final file. Your workflow might look something like this:
1.) Transfer RAW file to your computer
2.) Open in your choice of RAW conversion software
3.) Make adjustments to WB, contrast, exposure, etc.
4.) Save out as JPEG*
5.) Open the JPEG in your choice of editing program for final editing, including cropping.
* If you will do several passes of additional editing, a lossless format like TIFF may be a better interim choice, though it takes up much more room. |
