Discussion Forums » Digital Topics

Converting Underexposed Canon Raw Files

Moderator: E.J. Peiker

All times are UTC-05:00

« Previous topic | Next topic »

0 people like this post

First unread post

| 8 posts |

Page 1 of 1

by Rocky Sharwell on Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:53 am

Rocky Sharwell
Lifetime Member

Posts: 2995
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Member #:00054

View portfolio

I was wondering how others out there convert underexposed raw files. I am using Breezebrowser, Photoshop, and the Adobe Camera Raw plugin.

Do you adjust the compensation in Breezebrowser, Camera Raw plugin, or do you use a photoshop levels adjustment? I typically use the camera raw plug in but wondered how others do it.

Thanks

Rocky Sharwell

0 people like this post

by Greg Downing on Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:20 pm

Greg Downing
Publisher

Posts: 19318
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Maryland
Member #:00001

View portfolio
Visit website

It's best done in photo-shop where you have precise control over the process, but you can also see what you are doing. Always do your conversion and adjustments in 16bit mode, particularly when converting underexposed shots.

Greg Downing
Publisher, NatureScapes.Net
[url=http://www.gdphotography.com/]Visit my website for images, workshops and newsletters![/url]

0 people like this post

by E.J. Peiker on Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:44 pm

E.J. Peiker
Senior Technical Editor

Posts: 86788
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Arizona
Member #:00002

View portfolio

Tim Grey teaches that you should make the exposure adjustment prior to RAW conversion if possible to lose the least possible amount of data.

So there you go, two different answers

both with their own merits. Max data or max flexibility.

In reality, what I do is I correct gross exposure adjustment prior to RAW conversion and then do the fine adjustments and selective adjustments in Photoshop on the converted file and as much of it in 16 Bit mode as possible.

E.J. Peiker http://www.EJPhoto.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/EJ-Peiker-Nature-Photographer/

0 people like this post

by Bob Ettinger on Mon Sep 15, 2003 1:46 pm

Bob Ettinger
Regional Moderator

Posts: 3111
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Member #:00148

View portfolio

Rocky,

I do the same as E.J.

Bob Ettinger

0 people like this post

by Sandy Mossberg on Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:08 pm

Sandy Mossberg
Lifetime Member

Posts: 5802
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Location: Boynton Beach, FL USA

Visit website

Rocky, I'm with EJ on this one. Before converting, get your RAW file to about 1/3 EV less than what you want as an end product. Then do the fine tuning after conversion in PS.

Sandy Mossberg
Boynton Beach, Florida, USA
[url=http://www.sandymossberg.com][b]SandyMossberg.com[/b][/url]
NSN 0015

0 people like this post

by Greg Downing on Mon Sep 15, 2003 3:17 pm

Greg Downing
Publisher

Posts: 19318
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Maryland
Member #:00001

View portfolio
Visit website

Learn somethin' every day :roll:

Greg Downing
Publisher, NatureScapes.Net
[url=http://www.gdphotography.com/]Visit my website for images, workshops and newsletters![/url]

0 people like this post

by Chas on Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:11 pm

Chas
Lifetime Member

Posts: 6891
Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Location: NC
Member #:00037

View portfolio
Visit website

Rocky, Capture One really excels in tweaking exposure errors. Adjustment curves, levels, EV comp. and additional tools are available in C1 to modify the exposure better than most other programs prior to conversion.

Best,

Chas

Charles Glatzer M.Photog, Canon Explorer of Light, https://about.me/charlesglatzer
Check out www.shootthelight.com for info on workshops, seminars, appearances, etc.
NSN 0037

0 people like this post

by Rocky Sharwell on Mon Sep 22, 2003 6:39 am

Rocky Sharwell
Lifetime Member

Posts: 2995
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Member #:00054

View portfolio

Thanks for all of the replies. I am really thinking about Capture One. I have read many good things about it. Looks like the topic for this week will be noise reduction--I shot a bunch of stuff this week at ISO 800 with my 1D (by error)!

Rocky Sharwell

0 people like this post