Shooting RAW

[JackieC]

Complete newbie to the forum, so sorry that I am starting off (after introducing myself) with a complicated question!

I have been photographing since January, and want to play around a bit more. A lot of photographers seem to love using RAW as a format, but I just can't seem to get to grips with it. For starters, I don't use photoshop. I have tried it and simply find it too complicated, I use picnik which is online, and it seems to suit my needs. Secondly, I am unable to open RAW images on my computer. I have a Canon 1000d camera, but haven't installed the disc on this laptop I am currently using (it's a new one and I simply didn't see a need at the time). I am presuming the Canon disc would open the RAW images.
As I am currently away from home, I cannot install the disc as I don't have it, nor do I know where it is anyway for when I get back home! I have tried looking on the Canon website for certain codes that I need (not that I really know what I am looking for, anyway), but I seem to have come across a blank.
So does anyone know how I can open the RAW files for free? I don't want to pay for a download, simply because I don't even know if it's worth shooting in RAW, anyway.
Secondly, what advantages does RAW have over jpeg? I know you can correct grain/white balance, but you cannot do that on picnik anyway. Does anyone have any recommendations for editing suites that do this? And is it necessary? Are the pictures better in RAW?
I'd also like to know what peoples opinions on RAW useage is. A lot of people seem to like it.

Sorry, it seems like I am borbarding you all with a lot of questions, but I feel like I have reached an impasse.

Thanks in advance.

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[NikonJon]

Hi! You will need software capable of viewing RAW files such as Photoshop. Many others are available but I would say that was the most popular of the current crop of image editing software. I picked up a copy of Photoshop Elements 9 for Mac for about £75. It is a cut down version of the full commercial grown up edition of Photoshop. Having said that I have only ever used elements and as such do not feel like Im missing out. If you own a Mac you can also download Aperture from the Mac App Store for around £50.
I would highly recommend some sort of locally installed (on your computer) image manipulation software though above anything you can use online.

Basically a RAW file is just that ...the raw camera data. When using jpeg your camera will take that data and convert it into a jpeg and this jpeg is then viewable in almost anything. With the RAW file the image is generated by your computer and the RAW viewer software.

When I started getting into photography I always used jpeg but read an article that turned my attention to using RAW. The main draw for me was I was the one responsible for the final look of the image and not my camera - many manufacturers have software built in to process the jpegs in camera - and not only that but I have been able to save some shots from the bin because I could adjust the exposure, fill light, white balance and such like. Its not something you should rely on as you should be learning how to get the right settings in camera but its definitely a plus point in situations where you may have over or under exposed an otherwise great shot. Trying to do the same with jpeg, in my experience, is much harder.
Some people will say steer clear of RAW for whatever their reason may be but the best advice I can give is to get yourself Photoshop or similiar and play around with RAW. If you dont like RAW then you will still have a great program for using with JPG.

Hope this helps!

Also I would check that Canon driver/software disc for any software for viewing RAW files. Having said that it may only let you view them and save them as another format but not let you edit the RAW file.

[twinkle_turnip]

I rarely ever recommend GIMP, but it too can load RAW files via ufraw, which is included as a plugin. Gimp is free.

It is limited, but less so than Picnik. It's UI is a bit tougher to get around than PS, but with no investment it's free to learn. In the least, you can use it to convert RAW into JPEG.

Another option to PSE, which I think is overpriced, is Photoline32. They have a 30 day trial. Photoline32 can do almost everything Photoshop can, with a few exceptions, and a few things Photoshop cannot. The UI is a bit clunky, and there is some oddity with layers sometimes that can be easily overcome. But it's quite functional and only costs something like 80€. It has a functional, yet uninspired RAW converter.

Another free option is RawTherapee, which is a standalone converter.

On a mac,you could try Raw Photo Processor, which is a donationware standalone converter - while it produces excellent results, RPP is extremely technical.

The most obvious solution is to use the RAW conversion software that came with your camera.

[TomD]

If you stay with photography, sooner or later you will start shooting exclusively RAW and will never consider not doing so. You could get PS Elements 7 for $20 US or pound equivalent and have a good into program and get the built in, and easy to use, Adobe Camera Raw.

For a free viewer that works with all sorts of file types including most camera RAW and also has some decent built in manipulation tools, try Faststone Image Viewer (link)

[Cameron]

It is faster to work with jpegs using plug-ins for Photoshop or PaintShop Pro Photo X4 than it is to work in RAW and for pros, time is money. Some compromise and only use RAW + jpeg for their most difficult or complex shots.

Cameron