LR presets---RAW vs JPEG?

[CalamityJanet]

A question for the Lightroom users...

I was looking at a site that has free presets and presets for purchase. The guy says his purchased presets are done in two versions, one for RAW and one for JPEG. What would be the difference? I just got LR last week and have only just started shooting RAW so most of my photos are JPEGS. Does anybody else collect presets for both formats? Will a preset done for RAW work on a JPEG with just slight differences due to the compression?

I look forward to finally joining the LR Playground with you this week if I can get my act together. I'm not sure that buying LR and CS3 at the same time was a good thing!

[Codebreaker]

Janet....

Irrespective of presets the amount of control you have over a RAW image and a JPEG image varies. This is not really due to the JPEG compression but more to do with the fact that the data from the sensor has already been processed by the in camera electronics. This often means that Hue, Saturation, Lightness and Sharpening have already been determined and some detail may be lost in the tonal range. Specifically JPEG images are 8 bit while RAW images can be 12 or 14 bit. JPEG images are sharpened and RAW - well are just RAW data waiting to be processed

The most obvious example is in highlight recovery. RAW files will offer a greater degree of recover for blown highlights than you will acheive with a JPEG file.

In summary then I think it would be reasonable to assume that there will be a difference between Presets for RAW and JPEG.

Colin

[JulieM]

Hi Janet,

That's an interesting question. I've never seen reference to a set of presets being made specifically for jpeg or RAW. Whose presets are they and do you have to purchase the two sets separately if you need both?

Jump in to the playground anytime you're ready. We're always looking for more folks to join us!

[CalamityJanet]

Thanks, Colin!

It does make sense that if the camera has made specific changes to a jpeg, like sharpening, that you wouldn't necessarily want a preset to add the same change. I think I've had my XTi set to shoot jpegs "neutral" to minimize the in-camera changes. But I guess it's a trial and error process to find out how a certain preset will affect a jpeg. So how would someone develop a preset for jpegs that were shot by different cameras set to different preferences?

[CalamityJanet]

Hi Julie!

Here's where I saw reference to needing two versions of presets:
http://prophotoshow.net/seim_effects/?page_id=36

He also offers freebies, which is what I was looking for when I saw the mention of separate presets for raw and jpeg. He has an interesting video to show his workflow...and how to justify the cost of his presets!

I'll be joining you on the Playground real soon! Does the weekly image need to be shot in RAW? If it can be jpeg I have lots to choose from. Maybe I'll volunteer to post one in a week or two. Meanwhile I'll get out and shoot some RAW if the wind will ever die down here. It's hard to shoot the spring flowers and landscapes when March has come in like a lion!

[JulieM]

Oh, I have some of his freebies already - 400 V2, Fantasy, and Fantasy Basic- and now that you reminded me about his site, I've got 5 more! Thanks!

I never looked at the Workflow set and must admit it looks really good. I like the way he has it organized. But, jeez, you'd end up with 60 x 2 more presets in your preset panel with both the RAW set and the jpeg set! Mine is already pretty unwieldy.

No, you can post a jpeg image rather than RAW. When you decide you want to post, just let the person know who posted that week that you're willing to do it the following week. Look forward to having you here!

[CalamityJanet]

Julie, there's so much out there on the internet it's no wonder we lose track of what we have and where we got it! For example, I saw a tip this week for organizing your presets in folders...GREAT tip!...but I can't remember where I found it. It may have been on Matt's LR site. Or a link from his site...or a link from a link. If I see it again I'll bookmark it!

[JulieM]

So true! I have my presets in folders by name of the creator. My thought was that I would be able to give appropriate credit when I use it. But, now I think it would be better to have them by type. Going back and reorganizing will be a pain, though...

[genevh]

Hey Calamity.......I am looking for a volunteer for the LR Playground image for next week if you're interested.....

[CalamityJanet]

Okay, Gene. I'll see what I can do. What day of the week does the Playground image get posted?

(BTW...I'm almost a N.Carolina girl...my Mom's family is from Little Washington, Bath, Elizabeth City and Rocky Mount. We're practically neighbors!)