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Thinking Im Getting A "raw" Deal....


redangel
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Hey all. This weekend I visited a friend who despite spending $ on a photo shoot for her dogs failed to get any memorable shots...in fact any requested editing (like removing dog tag off collar) were too hard, the photos didnt 'engage' the dogs and in the end the poor focus shots were not the ones requested. I felt so sorry for her.

I had lunch with her the other day and shot some pics in RAW format. (nikond90) I selected that as I understand (please correct me if Im wrong) that editing options are improved as opposed to jpeg. I only have PaintshopProx2 which as yet does not recognise my camera raw shots :( . If I use a nikon program and convert to tif I can edit it in Paintshop. Apparently it does recognises tiff tif and jpeg converted files. So have I defeated the purpose by shooting in raw? Should I have a preference when converting re tiff tif or jpeg? Nikon users (or is that just ruger and me :eek: ) any ideas for this newbie?

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Hey all. This weekend I visited a friend who despite spending $ on a photo shoot for her dogs failed to get any memorable shots...in fact any requested editing (like removing dog tag off collar) were too hard, the photos didnt 'engage' the dogs and in the end the poor focus shots were not the ones requested. I felt so sorry for her.

I had lunch with her the other day and shot some pics in RAW format. (nikond90) I selected that as I understand (please correct me if Im wrong) that editing options are improved as opposed to jpeg. I only have PaintshopProx2 which as yet does not recognise my camera raw shots :( . If I use a nikon program and convert to tif I can edit it in Paintshop. Apparently it does recognises tiff tif and jpeg converted files. So have I defeated the purpose by shooting in raw? Should I have a preference when converting re tiff tif or jpeg? Nikon users (or is that just ruger and me :eek: ) any ideas for this newbie?

You haven't defeated the purpose. Editing in the Nikon program (I assume it has some options to adjust exposure, white balance, brightness and contrast at least) - then converting to TIFF will give you more flexibility than if you'd already shot in JPG. Saving as 16bit TIF from Nikon software will give you the optimum starting point for PSP.

BTW - I really feel for pro photographers, having done a few paid shoots myself :rofl: . They only get one chance.

The shots you see from the photographers here are probably the best of the ones we have. If we have a bad day (bad light, subjects that won't stay still, problems with our settings, etc), then we just file the shots away or trash them. They never see the light of day.

The pros have to produce, no second chances.

Having said that, that's why they are pros and why they can charge. You should at least expect some 'usable' shot - in focus, well exposed, reasonably composed.

Edited by Luke W
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I would have to wonder why the dog tags/collar were not removed before the photos were taken however anything given to the client should have been in focus. The dollars are for someone expertise in taking the photo and gettin git as right as possible on the day not for what can be done to fix mistakes on the computer.

And yes when booked to take photos you hope like anything that its a nice sunny day wihtout it being too hot and not windy.

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:rolleyes: redangel Im not a huge fan of Raw yet, most of my stuff has to be done right away, so I have been mostly doing large and fine, I dont have a huge amount of time to fiddle too miuch as I dont get paid for dog stuff and its just favours for friends.

Show us what you get if you are happy with them!

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I would have to wonder why the dog tags/collar were not removed before the photos were taken however anything given to the client should have been in focus. The dollars are for someone expertise in taking the photo and gettin git as right as possible on the day not for what can be done to fix mistakes on the computer.

And yes when booked to take photos you hope like anything that its a nice sunny day wihtout it being too hot and not windy.

Thanks rubiton, I am encouraged!

They say never work with children and animals...These dogs are quiet trained dogs. A large percentage of the pictures outdoors had the dogs "squinting". When the proofs were shown the photographer said (and reiterated in email) she said a. I cant help your dog squints when outside... and ..b.you should tell me how you want the dogs to look their best. I guess she thought that provided with a variety of locations, inside/ outside the photographer would decide what environment/best ideas (like collar off) would present best. I guess it is a learning curve, given a limited time one might not be able to settle the subjects suitably and maybe she relied too much on the photographer to make decision what would show the dogs in best light. My friend thought it was only her requirement to handle the dogs, she didnt think it was appropriate to direct the photography session as she assumed the photographers knowledge/sight greater than hers.

In relation to editing, does PS recognise nikon RAW and perhaps eventually thats where I should look?

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technically sounds like the photographer had the sun behind them and therefore had the dogs nicely lit HOWEVER dogs squint when they are looking into the sun (like humans)- you can fix that by getting them on a slightly different angle or at least looking a slightly different angle , making sure they are alooking level not up (am assumign photographer is down at dog eye level). Guess you could even put them up on something (eg a big rock if you are at a public park with rocks) and have them look slightly downwards.

You can also try different things like putting them in the shade or having them backlit (thinkthe former woudl work better) and using a flash outside - works with black dogs pretty well.

Jpeg doesn't make a difference unless you want a mega sized print as long as the camera settings are all correct for the hoto you are trying to create - I had a print and a canvas print done in 16 x 24 inch size from jpegs in the last few weeks and there was no problem with the quality.

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Thanks all for your patience. Ok I have taken note of all your comments. I edited the pics Raw pics through Nikon program. Check. I then edited them as 16bit tiff files. Check. I can then play with them in Paintshop. Yay! As for processing...they are required as jpeg..yes?

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Thanks all for your patience. Ok I have taken note of all your comments. I edited the pics Raw pics through Nikon program. Check. I then edited them as 16bit tiff files. Check. I can then play with them in Paintshop. Yay! As for processing...they are required as jpeg..yes?

What do you mean by "processing"...printing?

JPG is the most common format sent to external labs/printers.

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Check where you are planning to take them (most places mention it on the websites) and find out what file types they take.

Oh and a small snippet - dont use a massive massive file for a small say 10x15cm print. Too many pixels can affect the result as well as too few (tried it a while bck when scanning negs in and getting prints using a tiff file converted into jpeg and comparing the huge one compared a one that had been made smaller - the smaller one actually turnwed out better in the small size - was quite surprised by that).

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Alright then... here are 2 of the pics (of many) that ive been playing with.

He is a right cheeky little red poodle boy...post-25842-1233383822_thumb.jpg

The other is him trying to smile for the camerapost-25842-1233383834_thumb.jpg

Wow what a learning curve...first decide what camera to get, then try and learn the camera, then get brave enough to go manual. Then there's the edit programs, then there's the saves (and many questions) then I have to learn how to upload them....This week marks one month since I got my new toy. My heads spinning! :provoke:

But im having heaps of fun trying! Thanks all for the help along the way. :thumbsup:

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Most impressive you are using manual. Im a huge fan of it. They are really good, you are doing well. Do you have access to a fax machine?

I dont personally, but have a friend who most likely will give me acess to hers. The fax machine access for....? :rofl:

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