Question
 

Hi everyone, I'm new not only to his forum , but to photography as well. First of many questions. I have seen that shooting pictures in RAW can produce clearer results. I have Adobe 7.0 Photoshop, I can't seem to find any info on manipulating pictures taken in the RAW format. Do I need yet another editing program?

Thanks in Advance,

Frank Peeters
www.decoysbyfrank.com

Frank if I remember right you can't manipulate raw images directly in PS7 you have to convert them first with a raw a converter. I think you said you have a Nikon d50 in which case you would do the conversion first to either jpg or tiff in Nikon capture. Hopfully someone can come along soon and give you more information.

I think you are right Christine. You need PS8 (CS) or PS9 (CS2) to convert RAW in Photoshop.

Replies
 

Thanks for the relpies, Is this CS2 a software program that works with PS7? Or will I be doing a lot of copying and pasting from program to program?

I beginning to miss the days of using my Kodak Brownie, crossing my fingers, and letting the drugstore develop the film.

Many more questions to come. Haven't even started on how to set up the camera (D50) and what all the settings mean/do.:eek:

Frank

Hi Frank and welcome,

As you have a D50 your best option is to try Nikons own converter Nikon Capture. You can download a 30 day trial from Nikon USA link here
http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin...&p_page_foot=1

Item on line 7 or 8 depending on your operating system.

[ Quote I'm new to photography and have a ton of questions, hope your a patient group. To start I just purchased a Nikon D50 with two lenses 17 to 55mm and 70 to 300 mm. I also bought a Sigma 50 to500mm telephoto lens and a 2x doubler (?). ]

In these circumstances I feel your best bet is to shoot in JPG Fine until you get used to the camera and your image editing software. Processing of RAW images adds another step in the learning curve, and at this stage I would concentrate on learning what you can get out of the camera first.

You will find Members here will be very helpful so post as many questions as you like.

Don

Frank, it sounds to me as though you are going too fast. At this stage in your learning curve I would forget Raw and concentrate on just using the camera. You have a pretty sophisticated piece of kit there and if you have little or no background in photography then you need to get some of the basics sorted first. The same goes for the software, photoshop is not an easy program to get to grips with and you may be better using something a little more user friendly to begin with.

Frank I see we crossed in the post.

As I mentioned in my previous post for now I would use JPG Fine. I have only just started using RAW after 4 years, and I am finding it a steep learning curve and I know how my camera works.

There is a thread discussing the issue of RAW & JPG and in camera processing here http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=662

How big can you print a 6mp JPG link here see post 73 http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...9&d=1142424050

Don

Don't confuse the man Don ;) That link is to the picture only btw and you will have Frank thinking his camera files will do that sort of thing :D

Thank You, even though I'm in a wheelchair I always want to run before I walk. Getting to know my camera first, and then worry about fine tuning what I have learned makes sense. Good Advice .....Thanks.

Frank

Well unlike Stephen and Don, I jumped in at the deep end and started using Raw when I bought the Minolta D7 Autumn 2001. Although previous to that I had processed all my own B&W and colour for the past 40 years.

I'm not suggesting that you should also jump in at the deep end especially as you are new to photography

So to answer your question CS2 is actually the latest version of Photoshop and has it's own raw convertor.

However all is not lost as you can download Pixmantecs "Rawshooter" which comes in two varieties "Essentials" which is freeware and is very good, or the "Premium" version. http://www.pixmantec.com/. Both versions will automatically open converted images directly into photoshop if you so require.

No doubt there will be a steep learning curve ahead of you just learning how to use the D50, but just in case you're a glutton for punishment, have a read here http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...ile-format.htm

Harry

Frank

I assume the decoy photographs on your website are your own handy work ?

Can you point us to your most recent and best work on there.

Looking at some of the photographs using raw format is not going to improve them. Other aspects need to be impoved before worring about how to edit the raw format.

Frank,

I just got round to visiting your web site. That is some pretty impressive work you have done. :)

Don

Nice decoys, Frank. I started carving this winter but so far haven't finished much. Too busy taking pictures. :rolleyes: I will get back to it one day soon.

Webpage
 

Thanks for visiting my webpage. The picture's on the website were taken with a Sony Mavica. I have a lot to learn about lighting and exposure etc. etc.

I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to composition, the use of filters, or other available hardware. Especially the editing programs.

This is what I hope to gain from this forum, some knowledge. I also plan to find a class in our local Adult Ed. system. Hopefuly there's one being offered.

While I'm writing this post I might as well get started. As I mentioned earlier I'm now using a Nikon D50. What would be the recommended settings for a novice to use. Full auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, suggestions please? I will be shooting outside so does ISO come into play? how and why? What about filters? This inquiring mind needs to know:confused:

What I have planned to do, to get a feel for how my lenses will perform, is to shoot pictures of a duck decoy on a football field. Starting at the 25 yard line and moving the duck decoy away from me in 5yd increments. At least this way I'll get a feel for what my lenses will do as far as filling the frame. Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com

It is essential that you understand some of the basics regarding the relationship between shutter speed and aperture. Putting the camera on full auto, whilst giving a god image most of the time will not help you much to understand this relationship. So I would prefer a beginner to forget Auto and at the very least use Program, but preferably Aperture priority or shutter priority. Manual mode where you control both is a useful method to learn quickly however as you can usually see in the viewfinder whatrs happening to the meter scale when you alter either.

There is a good site HERE which will show you in the comfort of your room how these things work. I urge you to check it out

It seems to me you have made a big investment with your kit and you need to make the most of it, so Auto is a big NoNo :)

learning
 

Thanks Stephen, the demonstration of Fstop and shutter speed helps a lot. I'm starting to see the correlation between the two.......back to playing around some more.

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com

Loads of info here Frank. http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=919

Don

And let's not forget this thread:
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=125

Thank you
 

Thank you one and all, I have enough reading to keep me busy for awhile (read a week or so). Once I digest what has been presented I'll take a few pictures and post them and we can go from there.

Again, thank you, you have all been most hospitable and helpful.

Regards,

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com