Image processing with CS2

^^Gord^^ · 4 Sep 2006 at 12:36

Anyone got any tips / tutorials for processing images in CS2?

Especially interested in RAW, image sharpening, contrast and saturation.

I've been comparing my images to the amazing stuff on http://www.targeta.co.uk/low_level_intro.htm and whilst I'm no where as good as this guy it has me thinking my processing has a lot to be desired.

Help!

Cuchulain · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:44

I was just about to post something about Photoshops RAW processing, you've saved me the job.

I filled two cards yesterday with photo's and got home and checked them out in Photoshop and the processing left an awful lot to be desired, no matter what I fiddled with they all looked out of focus and noisy. I assumed it was my crap photographic skills.

I decided to give Rawshooter a whirl this morning and to my shock the images I've taken look FAR better, much more details and infinately sharper, so, I'd recommend giving at least the free version a go.

^^Gord^^ · 4 Sep 2006 at 15:12

Interesting, I've not use Rawshooter. I'll give that a look. Cheers.

HeartburnHarry · 5 Sep 2006 at 10:26

Rawshooter Essentials.

Not sure if you can still buy Rawshooter Professional though (which was worth the purchase before Adobe bought it)

Cuchulain · 5 Sep 2006 at 10:29

HeartburnHarry said:
Not sure if you can still buy Rawshooter Professional though (which was worth the purchase before Adobe bought it)

I noticed that when trying to buy a copy yesterday, I'm assuming they've ripped the engine out to use in their bloated "Lightroom" software.

milou · 5 Sep 2006 at 10:37

CS2 & RAW: http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/ps_pro.html - scroll down "Resources" and the various PDFs.

Cuchulain · 5 Sep 2006 at 13:01

milou said:
CS2 & RAW: http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/ps_pro.html - scroll down "Resources" and the various PDFs.

Sorry, off topic, but you've got some absolutely stunning photo's on your site.

^^Gord^^ · 5 Sep 2006 at 13:24

Cuchulain said:
Sorry, off topic, but you've got some absolutely stunning photo's on your site.

I'll 2nd that!

milou · 5 Sep 2006 at 15:27

Oh cheers! Having bought some gear I thought I'd better get my aged backside out and about and take some pictures.

RAW conversion - I'm a great fan of RawShooters Essentials.

Bolerus · 5 Sep 2006 at 15:37

bit of a hyjack

downloading the free ware rawshooter esentials as i type this.

SO, in my cam i have the following quality options

RAW
RAW & JPG
Extra Fine
Fine
Standard

It is set to Extra Fine, as of yet I have not changed this, Should I be taking pics in Raw, adn then converting them ?

Cuchulain · 5 Sep 2006 at 15:56

Bolerus said:
bit of a hyjack

downloading the free ware rawshooter esentials as i type this.

SO, in my cam i have the following quality options

RAW
RAW & JPG
Extra Fine
Fine
Standard

It is set to Extra Fine, as of yet I have not changed this, Should I be taking pics in Raw, adn then converting them ?

Shoot in RAW only

Bolerus · 5 Sep 2006 at 16:03

lol just my luck, raw shootunter produces the windows "encounterd a problem" dialog box.

I arnt disagreeing with you, but why only use RAW ?

^^Gord^^ · 5 Sep 2006 at 16:33

Had a quick look at RAWShooter and it does seem to produce some better results. Will have a good play with it this weekend.

Cuchulain · 6 Sep 2006 at 12:28

Bolerus said:
lol just my luck, raw shootunter produces the windows "encounterd a problem" dialog box.

I arnt disagreeing with you, but why only use RAW ?

Have a read of this, http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/RAW-file-format.htm

dod · 6 Sep 2006 at 12:39

Cuchulain said:
Shoot in RAW only

Rubbish, shoot in the most appropriate mode for your requrements.

Cuchulain · 6 Sep 2006 at 12:42

dod said:
Rubbish, shoot in the most appropriate mode for your requrements.

What's rubbish about it? If he has a choice of shooting in RAW why on EARTH would he bother using JPG? (other than sports type photography)

dod · 6 Sep 2006 at 12:55

Cuchulain said:
What's rubbish about it? If he has a choice of shooting in RAW why on EARTH would he bother using JPG? (other than sports type photography)

Your first statement said only use RAW. Now you've qualified that by saying certain situations might be appropriate for jpeg.

I just get a bit hacked off with the view that RAW is the answer to everything. If it was why do the manufacturers bother putting jpeg modes on the camera?

Cuchulain · 6 Sep 2006 at 12:58

dod said:
Your first statement said only use RAW. Now you've qualified that by saying certain situations might be appropriate for jpeg.

I just get a bit hacked off with the view that RAW is the answer to everything. If it was why do the manufacturers bother putting jpeg modes on the camera?

Sorry, but the thread in the main has been about RAW processing and my response to him was based on that so there's absolutely no need for you to get all uppity.

dod · 6 Sep 2006 at 13:01

No, Bolerus asked if it was fine to shoot in "extra fine" or should he change to RAW. You said RAW only without (presumably) knowing what type of photgraphy he did.

Cuchulain · 6 Sep 2006 at 13:04

dod said:
No, Bolerus asked if it was fine to shoot in "extra fine" or should he change to RAW. You said RAW only without (presumably) knowing what type of photgraphy he did.

He said he'd downloaded Rawshooter then asked what mode he should shoot in, perhaps you'd like to explain exactly how many jpg's you've processed using that particular application?

Why don't you go pick a fight elsewhere?