Digital Photography—Optimize Using Camera Raw Filter

Winter Quarter 2022, Kalamazoo College

Richard Koenig, Professor

 

 

Advanced Optimization Using Camera Raw Format

 

Raw Files, Generally Speaking

 

When one shoots in the raw format, all of the capture data is saved—no processing happens at the time of shooting, as happens in the JPEG mode (where data is compressed).

 

But there are small drawbacks to using this mode—the files take more room to store, workflow is more complicated, and one will not be able to open files as readily.

 

On the last point: camera manufacturers use proprietary formats that may not be easy to open without their software—though Adobe has been great about staying on top of this issue.

 

There are big advantages—you get so much more control over the optimization that you most likely will never shoot in JPEG format ever again.

 

You do have to make edits to the file—so that it can be saved, viewed, and printed.

 

But even if you shot JPG format, you can edit using the Camera Raw Filter

 

 

Introduction to Camera Raw and Camera Raw Filter (even JPG shooters)

 

Open an image in Photoshop, then go to menu bar, filter, camera raw filter

 

Palettes (look to right-hand side, near the top of the dialog box)

 

Basic

 

White Balance

 

As Shot—how you had your camera set

Auto—will adjust based on image information

Custom—use Temperature and Tint sliders

 

Exposure/Contrast                 \                                               These three will be

Highlights/Shadows                                            =>                 used in conjunction

Whites/Blacks                         /                                               with one another

 

Clarity—similar to contrast, but works only on mid-tones

Vibrancy—similar to saturation, but works on low-saturated colors

Saturation—raises or lowers color saturation across all three channels

 

Lens Correction

 

If possible, enable the lens correction check boxes—but Photoshop has to have your lens Òon fileÓ as it were (this available for raw files only)

 

Vignette slider is also located on this palette

 

Toolbox (look to upper left)

 

Zoom Tool—click or draw a box to enlarge

 

Hand Tool—to move around while enlarged

 

But one can simply use space bar while using any tool

 

Command Zero—to get back to full view

 

White Balance Tool—can be used if you know that you have a true neutral tone

 

I would only use if I placed a gray card in a still life shot for instance

 

Color Sampler Tool—gives color information on any pixel

 

Targeted Adjustment Tool—can lower or raise exposure in a given area

 

                          Areas of dark or light have to be distinct, however

Click on sky, hold down, and drag downward

Now try in tunnel, drag upward

 

Skip Crop for now—I do that in Photoshop

 

Straighten Tool—one would use this in conjunction with cropping

 

Adjustment Brush—the smarter way to dodge and burn

 

Lower exposure .3 to burn

Click ÒnewÓ again

Raise exposure .3 to dodge

 

Graduated Filter

 

A fantastic way to ÒburnÓ in your sky

 

File Management

 

After making these adjustments to a raw file, hit ÒOKÓ (JPGs) or ÒOpenÓ (Raw)

 

I do a few things at this stageÉ

 

Crop

Retouch (especially dust on my sensor)

Maybe vignette a bit (35)

Size for end-use

 

When done, use the Òsave asÓ commandÉ

 

Use the TIFF format when printing

 

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