Comments on: Raw Image Processing or How to Choose a RAW Converter http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/ Mon, 24 May 2010 14:57:58 +0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: john vansteenberg http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-27 john vansteenberg Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:43:34 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-27 In answer to Lorenzo's question on RAW converter algorithms, you correctly identify one of the major differences: the resultant image quality, achieved by various algorithms. The issue is not so much in the mid tones, but rather in the high pass and low pass adjacent tones. (High contrast and low contrast tones next to each other and in highlights and shadow areas.) In one case (high contrast), blurring to gray or mixed tone of the adjacent values, in the other, the ability to differentiate fine detail (like lace or lattice or other fine details suffers). Additionally, with RAW converters evolving into workflow managers, things are fast changing in the functionality of these programs. Adobe's introduction of Lightroom, created great market awareness of the inter-relationship between process steps and production efficiency. Process speed, ICC profiling, Print que management, advanced image editing/correction features (like chromatic aberration and barrel distortion correction, as well as sharpening and layers adjustments, sharpening and plug ins, all these and more are about to come together into new products being offered in the near future.) They will save photographers hundreds of hours annually and improve their image quality simultaneously. Fabulous! With Adobe's ubiquitous dominance because of a lack of competitive products rather than customer friendly policies and product improvements, it will be great to have a batch of new choices to examine. Respectfully, John In answer to Lorenzo’s question on RAW converter algorithms, you correctly identify one of the major differences: the resultant image quality, achieved by various algorithms. The issue is not so much in the mid tones, but rather in the high pass and low pass adjacent tones. (High contrast and low contrast tones next to each other and in highlights and shadow areas.) In one case (high contrast), blurring to gray or mixed tone of the adjacent values, in the other, the ability to differentiate fine detail (like lace or lattice or other fine details suffers).

Additionally, with RAW converters evolving into workflow managers, things are fast changing in the functionality of these programs. Adobe’s introduction of Lightroom, created great market awareness of the inter-relationship between process steps and production efficiency. Process speed, ICC profiling, Print que management, advanced image editing/correction features (like chromatic aberration and barrel distortion correction, as well as sharpening and layers adjustments, sharpening and plug ins, all these and more are about to come together into new products being offered in the near future.) They will save photographers hundreds of hours annually and improve their image quality simultaneously. Fabulous!

With Adobe’s ubiquitous dominance because of a lack of competitive products rather than customer friendly policies and product improvements, it will be great to have a batch of new choices to examine.
Respectfully,
John

]]> By: admin http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-25 admin Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:04:27 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-25 <strong>to Lorenzo Bevilaqua</strong> Yes, the different manufacture use a different algorithms (however this is more like a speculation, as they do not desclosure what algorithm they use) , so the result will be different. This is what I have personally seen between Adobe raw converter and Phase One. In my opinion, photos converted in adobe would have a little more details, especially in the overexposured areas. However, Llightroom and Photoshop are using the same converter, so no difference in result between them. to Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Yes, the different manufacture use a different algorithms (however this is more like a speculation, as they do not desclosure what algorithm they use) , so the result will be different. This is what I have personally seen between Adobe raw converter and Phase One. In my opinion, photos converted in adobe would have a little more details, especially in the overexposured areas.
However, Llightroom and Photoshop are using the same converter, so no difference in result between them.

]]> By: admin http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-24 admin Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:08:07 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-24 Sorry, I meant ArcSoft® PhotoStudio® Darkroom 2, not Photostudio Sorry, I meant ArcSoft® PhotoStudio® Darkroom 2, not Photostudio

]]> By: Helen http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Helen Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:17:26 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-23 You mention ArcSoft Photostudio, I use this software.... but it doesn't have any RAW capability.... I have to shoot on JPeg until I can afford photoshop! I'm just more careful about getting it all right in camera to avoid lots of post-production! You mention ArcSoft Photostudio, I use this software…. but it doesn’t have any RAW capability…. I have to shoot on JPeg until I can afford photoshop! I’m just more careful about getting it all right in camera to avoid lots of post-production!

]]> By: Lorenzo Bevilaqua http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Lorenzo Bevilaqua Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:06:58 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-22 I shoot professionally, and use Adobe CS4 to process my raw files. I would like very much to switch over to Lightroom, but, at the moment, have more important things to spend money on than buying more software. I DO have a question about the raw conversion process. Is there a difference in the actual algorithm, or the mathematics that the various programs discussed use to convert the raw file, or is it just a difference in the controls, and what the photographer is able to do with the file? If I processed a raw file in Capture One, for example, and then processed the SAME raw file in ACR performing the same adjustments to the file, would I see a difference in the output? I shoot professionally, and use Adobe CS4 to process my raw files. I would like very much to switch over to Lightroom, but, at the moment, have more important things to spend money on than buying more software. I DO have a question about the raw conversion process. Is there a difference in the actual algorithm, or the mathematics that the various programs discussed use to convert the raw file, or is it just a difference in the controls, and what the photographer is able to do with the file? If I processed a raw file in Capture One, for example, and then processed the SAME raw file in ACR performing the same adjustments to the file, would I see a difference in the output?

]]> By: admin http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-21 admin Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:20:18 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-21 <strong>to cynthia o’connor</strong> This is exactly what you should do. When you shoot RAW you have a possibility to adjust and correct your image without losing quality before you save it to jpg or tiff. to cynthia o’connor
This is exactly what you should do. When you shoot RAW you have a possibility to adjust and correct your image without losing quality before you save it to jpg or tiff.

]]> By: admin http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-20 admin Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:11:27 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-20 <strong>to John Vansteenberg</strong> Thank you, John for your comment. I plan to write a detailed review and comparative analysis of two RAW converters Adobe Camera RAW and Capture One 4. See you soon here! to John Vansteenberg
Thank you, John for your comment. I plan to write a detailed review and comparative analysis of two RAW converters Adobe Camera RAW and Capture One 4. See you soon here!

]]> By: cynthia o'connor http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-19 cynthia o'connor Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:42:24 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-19 I am so confused.... I shoot in Raw 80% of the time. Primarily because I believe that is the wise thing to do based on teachers, and more experienced photographers. When I edit my photos I use, Lightroom, Elements and even Picasa. Whenever I am done, and the 'save as' window gives mne the choice of HOW to save the picture...jpg, tiff etc. Is there something that I am missing? I am so confused…. I shoot in Raw 80% of the time. Primarily because I believe that is the wise thing to do based on teachers, and more experienced photographers. When I edit my photos I use, Lightroom, Elements and even Picasa. Whenever I am done, and the ’save as’ window gives mne the choice of HOW to save the picture…jpg, tiff etc. Is there something that I am missing?

]]> By: Silvio Vailante http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Silvio Vailante Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:09 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-18 Hello, good morning! I also use the four programs mentioned above, I like them all, but I'm really liking Lightroom, which works on both Mac and Windows! Hello, good morning!
I also use the four programs mentioned above, I like them all, but I’m really liking Lightroom, which works on both Mac and Windows!

]]> By: john vansteenberg http://www.perfectphotoblog.com/raw-image-processing-or-how-to-choose-a-raw-converter/105/comment-page-1/#comment-17 john vansteenberg Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:43:29 +0000 http://perfectphotoblog.com/?p=105#comment-17 It seems that your article goes a bit farther afield than the title claims. In the title, you indicate a description of how to chose a RAW converter. The article is far more about software that handles RAW as a single part of the feature set and little is done to illuminate the differences it the actual RAW converters in each, which can be very significant to production outcome. An article that examines the RAW processes and the resultant outcome would be closer to what iI expected, I'm afraid. But thanks for what you did cover. John It seems that your article goes a bit farther afield than the title claims. In the title, you indicate a description of how to chose a RAW converter. The article is far more about software that handles RAW as a single part of the feature set and little is done to illuminate the differences it the actual RAW converters in each, which can be very significant to production outcome.

An article that examines the RAW processes and the resultant outcome would be closer to what iI expected, I’m afraid.

But thanks for what you did cover.
John

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