I decided to research my RAW digital camera setting.  I enjoy photography and got started in selling some of my photos on a stock web site.  The majority of professional photographers shoot in RAW mode. 

What is RAW Mode?

Raw is the unprocessed image.  Most high-end digital cameras have an option to shoot in RAW mode.  The camera doesn't do any processing to the image.  This RAW format allows you more flexibility in post-processing.  When you load the images onto a computer you can use a program like Photoshop CS2 to convert the RAW image into a JPEG image.  The RAW image is usually 2-3 times the size of the compressed or JPEG image, so you will need a larger memory card for these images.  This RAW image is like a true negative.  No pixels are lost when the camera adjusts the settings and edits your image inside the camera.

High-End Cameras I have used:

  This is the Fuji FinePix S7000.  It is an economical point and shoot 6 mega pixel digital camera.  It is light weight and takes EXCELLENT Photos.  I learned how to start takeing RAW photos with this camera and also sold several images taken with this camera for a stock website.

  This is the Canon 30D.  It is a professional quality 8 mega pixel SLR digital camera.  This camera has a multitude of lenses that can be purchased to go with it.  The body is usually sold seperately or can be bought in a package deal.

Where do you start?

The first thing that I did is bought the book called Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2 by Bruce Fraser.  This book goes step by step in explaining the post-process work that you need to do to get your original RAW image into a readable format.  Also, you need to research the price of your RAW converter.  Adobe Photoshop CS2 can be over $600.00.  There are other free or less expensive RAW converters but I haven't found one as good as Photoshop.

What are the Advantages of Shooting in RAW?

Well, there are many advantages.  First, the ability to make the image look exactly like your eye saw it.  When your camera processes the image it adjusts digitally. It takes averages, adjusts white balance, and creates a computer render of what you were photographing.  You can adjust these settings to exactly what you saw or want it to look like.  You can also add boldness to your colors, more or less contrast and many other features to your image without loosing the original quality.  When you edit a JPEG image you loose quality each time you save it.  With a RAW image you can create a PSD or TIFF file to work on and only save ONE Jpeg image.  The original quality is preserved in only ONE saved JPEG. If you start processing from a JPEG you will perform your edits and at least have to save it an additional time.  The SECOND save of a JPEG is loss of quality.  This will be most noticable for print quality photographs.  It will show up as a pixel distortion or little squares all over the image.  You want to keep your images a crisp and clean as possible so try to avoid pixel distortion.  When this occurs you need to print your photo in a smaller size.

Am I Ready?

Yes, now you just need to get out there and take some photos and learn to edit in your new software.  You will look like a pro in no time!!

Do some research, set a budget, and start shooting like a PRO- You CAN DO IT - I DID!