[Kiwi]

I've had an SRL Camera for a few years now but haven't really posted all that much on the photography board as I never got many replies... however all you ladies discussing photography is getting me all inspired again!!

Bre - just wondering if you shoot in RAW? I've always been too lazy to do so, but finally took some photos of DF's BIL's kid on the weekend in RAW format. Am trying to work out why it's better to do so?! I've had a bit of a play around with the things you can change in RAW, but figure they are all things I could change in photoshop anyway?

So... sell 'RAW' to me?! Why should I use it?!

[SandKmommy]

Dh gonna reply here (hes gone to classes in college for photography, its what he wants to do for a living )

When you shoot in RAW you have greater flexibility for post-shot processing than you would with a JPEG. JPEG images are already compressed in their native format when saved to the card and to edit them, you have to uncompress and recompress which will increase (slightly) pixel distortion and blending.

If you are shooting a large amount of pics, it's probably easier to use JPEG for space and camera-speed.

If you are trying to get certain shots that you want to customize the look of, I would go with RAW.

Here's a link to one site with further info. RAW vs. JPEG

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

Justine's hubby provided the technical explanation that I couldn't have given you

Yes, I shoot in RAW 100% of the time. Why? Because it makes editing my photos easier. Do you edit in a version of Photoshop? If so, when you go to open your RAW files a new editing window should pop open called "Camera RAW" - from here, you can essentially correct your exposure, white balance, recover blown (over exposed) portions of a photo, adjust your color balance, etc. You can do all of these things with a JPG but with a RAW file you are not "distorting" the image as much as you would a JPG. I also shoot RAW because the files are larger if you want to print enlargements (like, really big ones...just in case, lol)

Funny though....the more I learn about Photoshop, the less I use the Camera RAW editing program. I just do very basic corrections to exposure and white balance...everything else I do in regular PS.

Definitely learn how to shoot and edit in RAW...then decide which one you want to go with. MOST professional photographers shoot in RAW, but not all of them. One of my favorite photographers does not, so I find that a bit inspiring

Oh, but if you're shooting in RAW, ditch the 2GB CF card if that's what you're using....I suggest an 8GB card (which, on my full-frame Canon 5D will hold about 450 RAW files) but you can get away with a 4GB card (about 210 photos on my camera) - the files are HUUUUGE!

[~*Bethy*~]

Im so so lost...LOL

[Kiwi]

Hmmm... thanks guys! I've just had a play around in that Camera RAW programme that opens in Photoshop CS3 - wow! I can correct all my over exposed photos pretty easily!! lol!

I think I have a 2GB CF as I could only fit about 190 RAW files on my camera. May have to upgrade!

Do you print out a lot of your photos? I find that mine look great on screen, but always print really dark and look terrible.

[~*sierra*~]

i'm lost too! taking pics is fun

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

lol, too much photo lingo for you guys?

Tasha, where do you get your photos printed? I print my regular 4x6's (for personal photo albums) at Costco or wherever, but when I am printing something for a client or something to hang on my wall I use a professional photo lab. I don't know if they are international....but I use Miller's Professional Imaging or Pro Photo Lab: Photo Prints, Press Printed, Press Books | WHCC. You will notice a huge improvement in your prints - it's insane! If you go with Millers, you have to make it seem like you have a business....make up a "studio name" hehe

I think Millers has a non-pro site too, right? Do you know anything about that Bre? I think they are called mpix.

The difference between correcting white balance or exposure with a RAW picture versus a JPEG for me is huuuuge. It is easier with a raw file, and it looks MUCH better on a raw file for me too. Definitely less distortion and loss of picture quality. That could just be me or my camera, but that's is my experience.

[Bre*n*Will=Reid]

Yes, I think mpix is it....but non-pros can also use WHCC....I think it's also owned by Millers?? I have an account with WHCC but have never ordered from them because I find their process too confusing. lol.

[Kiwi]

I'm in New Zealand and have been printing a few photos through snapfish.co.nz. They are international and had a site in England, so I used them when I was over there as well. The English site also seemed to print the photos way to dark, so I figured it must be my photography skills rather than the printer!!

I should try doing a few tests with some photo stores in town here, as well as check out those sites you supplied, Bre. Thanks for that!!

I will post a few shots from last weekend when I get a chance to edit a few more.

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Have you calibrated your computer screen lately, Tash? It sounds like that might be your problem if things are printing darker. Ben has also printed from both Millers & WHCC if I'm not mistaken.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Bre is this the place that you did my announcements?