Why I shoot RAW

Final image after PS CS 5

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RAW image converted in Lightroom 4 to 16 bit tiff

Original RAW Image, before processing.

Shooting in jpg only is like throwing away the negative, I always shoot in RAW format with my DSLR, I want to be able to get everything out of my files and RAW format stores a lot more information than a jpg does.

My original RAW files are selected and have the majority of processing done in Lightroom, highlight recovery and shadows, white balance, individual color luminosity, tone curve and a small amount of pre-sharpening.

This is where I may decide to do local adjustments in PS CS5, along with a very slight tone curve, crop and possibly print-sharpening. They are then saved in 16 bit tiff format for future printing or work and long term storage.

Local adjustments may include dodging and burning or a layer mask or slight color adjustments, PS CS5 is only used for images I select for possible future printing or as a select image for web presentation.

All images for use on the web are saved in jpg format. I may end up with several formats and sizes of each of my select images that get stored on an external drive.

Ross 

Images In Light

Contrast and Black and White

Image: 5D Mk II, 70-200 f4 IS L - North Cascade range just before Leavenworth
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Image: 5D Mk II, 70-200 f4 IS L - North Cascade range just before Leavenworth
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High contrast images are the ones that make for good black and white prints, especially if you can get an even exposure across the frame.

Rock, snow, blue sky and clouds, all with sun on them in the late afternoon worked well to turn these two images to black and white and thanks to the wonders of image stabilization, I was able to shoot these hand held through the sun roof of my buddy's SUV, while driving down Hwy 2 in early March. Images processed in Lightroom 3 and CS5.

Ross

Images In Light