Most digital camera ( with the exclusion of many summary cameras ) offer the option to spud both in Raw and Raw + JPEG format . Whereas JPEGs , as a compressed format , get various in - camera algorithms to bring out an image that the photographic camera thinks is best , rude files get no in - television camera ’s adjustment . Because the data is relatively untouched , substance abuser can adjust various parameter such as snowy counterbalance and vulnerability after the fact on the original shooter .
While image redaction programs likeAdobe Photoshop Elementsare equipped to make some readjustment to JPEG files , rude file processing offer a much all-embracing and more accurate method of image editing . ( Whether and when it ’s advantageous to shoot Rawis another storey . )
While most manufacturers include some sort of natural conversion package with their camera , Adobe Camera Raw ( ACR , now in version 8.3 ) is an splendid pick for “ developing ” your tender files . In the object lesson below , I used Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 ( PSE ) . Be sure your written matter of Elements 12 is up to date to enter the latest variant of ACR , then follow the steps below for a nimble , basic Raw processing workflow . you may also treat JPEG file cabinet in ACR , but you get more flexibleness with Raw file .
I prefer to work in the Expert mode but Quick and Guided mode will work , too . Go toFile > Openand select a bleak file . ( To open up a JPEG file , go toFile > Openin Camera Raw and press a Indian file . )
16-bit editing
At the bottom of the concealment , click the down pointer forDepthand choose16 Bits / Channel .
Editing Raw files in 16 bits per TV channel provides more data point to operate with , so it ’s best to select 16 - bit editing .
tick on the bloodless and fateful triangles in the Histogram for shadow and play up trot .
Histogram
On the top right , dawn the white and black arrows at the top of the Histogram to show apparition and foreground clipping on your ikon . The blue areas on the sample image show where shadows have been lop and detail lost .
Preview
Click theBasicoption ( the first image ) under the Histogram . Be surePreviewis suss out in the main showing screenland .
ensure the Preview checkbox to see the change during editing and select Basic for the core editing pick .
The White Balance drop down menu offers a inclination of presets that can be fine-tune using the temperature and/or tint sliders .
White Balance
The quickest elbow room to adjustWhite Balanceis to use the presets in the drop down menu . Then pluck the white balance using the temperature and/or tint sliders . The white balance on this image was pretty precise as crack but I reduced a slight ruby-red tincture on her face by moving the tint skidder to the left hand .
instead , choose the small optic dropper at the top of the Raw screen and tick on a white area in the icon . Avoid specular highlight such as a bright white berth from a newsflash on a lustrous object .
Exposure
ClickDefaultabove theExposuresliders . AvoidAutowhenever potential ; it generally overexpose images , as shown here . The red overlay point highlight clipping .
Auto Exposure tends to overexpose trope , as indicate by the red high spot cut short warning . align exposure manually whenever potential .
Use theExposureslider to relieve ( move mighty ) or darken ( move left ) the image . Watch the Histogram to see a graphic representation of the changes . The Histogram does n’t always have to be evenly distributed across shadow , midtones and highlighting . Since the sample image is sinister , the graph is heavily weight on the disgraceful / shadow side and that ’s hunky-dory .
Tonal range
To make for back some tonal range and details in the bright side of the poser ’s face , I adjusted the contrast highlight and whites . The alteration is elusive but necessary . For most adjustments , less is more .
Shadows
Even with a slight modification to theExposure , the blackamoor of the model ’s jacket and hat are clipped . Adjusting theShadowsslider lighten up the jacket to the peak where it looked almost gray . To keep a rich black , I travel theBlacksslider to the right hand until the majority of the blue clipping warning disappeared . Viewed at 100 percent , the blackened newspaper clipping admonition is still seeable ( in blue ) , along with a couple of tiny reddened warning for highlighting clipping on the jacket ’s silverish button . Any additional fitting , however , causes the jacket to fall back some of its rich inkiness .
Using the Blacks adjustment Pseudemys scripta allowed me to obviate most of the shadower crop while maintaining the crownwork ’s natural black people of colour .
Sharpness
Use theClarityslider to restore detail or sharpness if previous adaptation have softened them . This is not the case in this image , so I leftClarityat its default context . Vibranceis also left at default but I increased the intensity just a number to make for more gloss to the model ’s face .
Crop
To crop the image , if require , select theCropicon in the viewing panel . conform the size and aspect ratio that you think work out best and hit Return . If you ’re not happy with the crop , click theCropicon again and make your terminal adjustment .
Basic functions like Crop are also available in Raw . Just tap the Crop icon .
Save
Since there is so much depth to ACR , take time to research all of its characteristic . When you ’re prosperous with theBasicadjustments , clickDetail(second icon to the right of Basic ) to set sharpness and reduce stochasticity . Also check outCamera Calibration(third icon to the right of Basic ) for different unconscious process versions and camera profiles .
utilize your iPhone or iPad for picture taking ? Get pro crown for taking better images at our photography session atMacworld / iWorldin San Francisco March 27 - 29 .