RAW processing question

[nkeevers]

Okay, I've never shot in RAW before but decided to try. I'm still using PE5 though I just downloaded the "trial" version of CS3 because I'd like to upgrade (should have taken advantage of the e-mail I got when it was $399).

Anyway, in PE5 I know they have a "somewhat" feature of Curves but what I want to know is if you process in RAW, why and when do you use the curves. Do you just use one or the other?? They both let you change the highlight, brightness, contrast and shadows. Or is Curves just for jpeg photos? I have no clue.

[dj_paige]

There is a lot of overlap between curves and the sliders for contrast, brightness, highlights, shadows. You can accomplish the same thing with any one of a number of tools.

However, curves gives you fine detailed control over the shape of the histogram (or the shape of the photographic curve) that may or may not be doable in the RAW sliders. For example, curves can make the midtones lighter without affecting the highlights or shadows. Curves can change the contrast on just a portion of the photographic curve, and curves lets you change the contrast for all three color layers differently, if that's what you want.

Curves is not just for JPGs, you can apply a curve to your RAW photo and then save as PSD, for example.

There are a bazillion tutorials regarding Curves in Photoshop (many of which apply equally well to Photoshop Elements with the SmartCurve plugin (http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html)). Type Photoshop Curves into Google.

[dj_paige]

Here is a good example (http://www.photographybb.com/PBB_Magazine/issue_1/PhotographyBB_1.pdf) of using curves to adjust just a portion of the image. (This is a large .pdf file, 4.5MB, and you have to scroll down to page 22 for the particular example. The entire article on how to use curves is a good tutorial for beginners.) I'm not sure you can do this particular adjustment with the Adobe Camera Raw sliders.

[TonyW]

Slightly off topic but if you have PSE6 and get the curves add-in from Grant or Graffi you actually get the CS3 version of curves which is a significant improvement over earlier versions (has the histogram, sliders at the bottom, presets, clipping indication.) Almost the only thing missing is being able to work on individual color channels.

It's good and improved over the previous version but I still think the free SmartCurves plug-in is better and that works in all versions of Elements. It will work with 16 bit RAW images, you can adjust individual channels, use alternate color modes (like LAB) and you can load Photoshop presets.

But either way you're certainly not stuck with the dumbed down version of Curves that comes with Elements.

Tony

[Not4wood]

Since this is about Raw:

I did my first major shoot in Raw the other night and even though I've played a little bit with the Raw capability it goes far beyond the standard JPG. Even if my exposure was off I am able to compensate for it and bring it back in line. Very nice, I like this...

In Camera Raw one of the sliders on the bottom is "Clarity". I can't figure out if this is just for focus or focus and a slight contrast shift?? Can anybody explain the Clarity Slider for me?

As far as everything else its self explanatory to me at least so far. LOL

Thanks in advance.

[kImages]

Mark - from what I can tell Clarity impacts the contrast in the mid tones. To me it looks like it is sharpening details.

[emkayess65]

Norma, I got this email yesterday.
It's for element users.
So you should be getting it too.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/14cYCiysU2H0XvsJIuKAu4FjjI8zej_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=14cYCiysU2H0XvsJIuKAu4FjjI8zej)

Can CS4 be coming soon?

So don't pay full price.
mks

[nkeevers]

Thanks Tony! I didn't know that...I'll have to get the add-on. I only have the PE version...I'm using PE5. I do want to upgrade to CS3 though and I hear the $299 special is still on if you call them.

[nkeevers]

I think I'm going to have to call them..on another site I was told if you call them and give them your PE serial # and info, you can upgrade for $299.

[Not4wood]

Mark - from what I can tell Clarity impacts the contrast in the mid tones. To me it looks like it is sharpening details.

Thanks, I wasn't sure but I thought I saw a slight contrast shift but it wasn't throughout the whole picture.

[Chuck S.]

Clarity is supposedly equivalent to an Unsharp Mask of 20-50-1 or thereabouts.