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5 things to know about shooting RAW images

admin August 1,2017

Basically, RAW is a digital image format that stores the information that the camera receives.

The principle to create a RAW image is very simple. When you press the shutter button, the image is a composite information file. This file is not affected by white balance and exposure from the camera and can be adjusted with the software.

Compare RAW and JPEG image

The advantage of RAW images is that they give you better picture quality. As a result, professional photographers or photo lovers often use this format to adjust the color of their images.

However, most digital cameras, even DSLRs, have the disadvantage of taking a RAW image, which is a long recording time. All of the above may sound complicated, but the guidelines below will help you understand and use RAW images effectively.

1. Select the RAW image

It is recommended to use the RAW + JPEG image format for faster imaging performance

In semi-professional and professional cameras often allow shooting RAW and JPG. For high image performance, you should set RAW + JPG to save mode. This mode is useful for those who often take fast, high-speed photography. However, this format has quite a high capacity, so you should prepare a large memory card when you want to capture both RAW and JPEG images.

Some cameras have the ability to record a RAW image format whose capacity is smaller than the standard RAW format, which is appropriate when your memory card has limited memory. But note that when the image resolution is low, you will not be able to print large images.

2. Format of RAW image has more than one

There are dozens and hundreds of different types of RAW formats from different devices. Some of them are quite similar while some are totally different.

Manufacturers have their own standards, such as RAW on Canon cameras in CRW or CR2 format, while Nikon in NEF or NRW format. Therefore, you need to have different programs to open images from these formats, usually, these software comes with your camera, which is recorded on the CD.

3. RAW processing software

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

When you buy any digital camera, you also get a CD that contains software to browse and edit photos. If the camera supports the RAW format, the applications will allow you to view and process RAW images.

So, using another software is great. In particular, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software can load different RAW formats and all RAW formats of the camera are available, but you will have to buy the license at a very high cost.

4. Editing the RAW image

In most RAW photo editing software, there are many RAW adjustments. The right side of the program usually displays the adjustment tool, which helps you edit such as exposure compensation, color correction, etc. You should edit images from these toolbars and your RAW image’s color will be harmonious and nice.

When saving images to post on a website, try to save the image as JPEG and retain RAW file.

5. RAW image storage

DVDs and hard drives are a secure option for RAW images

As other image and data files, there is no better way to store them than to save them to your hard drive. Then you can use them quickly when you need