RAW question...Help!!!

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by Jill H

can I process RAW images in Photoshop Elements

You can, but the results might not be as good as they could be. Adobe Camera Raw in PSE tends to have less functionality compared with Photoshop or Lightroom, and its conversions tend to be of lower quality.

I think you're using an XSi/450D. Load up the Digital Photo Professional software from the CD, grab the latest update to DPP (3.7.2 for Windows, 3.7.3 for Mac) and the manual from Canon's web site, and give that a try. DPP usually gives some of the best quality Raw conversions that you'll find. And it's free. Check out the DPP tutorials at Canon's Digital Learning Center and read that manual you downloaded.

Another free alternative is Raw Therapee.

[OjaiAnna]

Originally Posted by dcclark

If you haven't noticed... why switch?

You may come to a point, as you advance, where you discover that you want a bit more dynamic range, or the ability to change white balance (and other things) after the fact. Then you might find shooting raw to be useful. But clearly, so far, you don't need it, and that's just fine!

Keep focused on good composition, colors, and light, learning the "rules", and maybe breaking them. That's what's most important for now.

I don't shoot in RAW but I have been changing white balance and stuff in Lightroom. Are you saying that with RAW there will be a difference?

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by OjaiAnna

I don't shoot in RAW but I have been changing white balance and stuff in Lightroom. Are you saying that with RAW there will be a difference?

In a raw file, the while balance has not yet been "set" for the image. A raw file needs to be "translated" into an image, which means, deciding how to turn that raw data into colors. This is one of the main advantages of shooting in RAW -- you can adjust how that translation happens, so, you can change the white balance easily.

Again, if you can't tell the difference, don't bother yet!